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Talk About Tulsa => Development & New Businesses => Topic started by: rwarn17588 on July 25, 2010, 09:46:07 AM

Title: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: rwarn17588 on July 25, 2010, 09:46:07 AM
Saw this today ... BOK Center actually increased its profits in the second year of operation.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=350&articleid=20100725_11_A17_Rascal161162

Considering the poor economy and the novelty of the arena wearing off, that's a very impressive feat.

Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Hoss on July 25, 2010, 09:57:48 AM
Quote from: rwarn17588 on July 25, 2010, 09:46:07 AM
Saw this today ... BOK Center actually increased its profits in the second year of operation.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=350&articleid=20100725_11_A17_Rascal161162

Considering the poor economy and the novelty of the arena wearing off, that's a very impressive feat.



Unless you're some of those living in the 19th century in the comments section.

But yes, impressive feat indeed, considering that public houses like this after the novelty wears off tend to not make a profit (and aren't designed to do so directly).
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Conan71 on July 25, 2010, 01:00:25 PM
I'm sure there are those out there who think this is a bad thing or that its really not a profit. People its built, it's open, quit biznitching and enjoy it.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Breadburner on July 25, 2010, 01:01:30 PM
That are umpossible....Some of them sumbitches from Endron must be doin the books for that big wad of duct tape.... ;D
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: TeeDub on July 26, 2010, 03:12:41 PM

Math Question.... 

Since the TW article is throwing around all these numbers...

QuoteFinancial performance: The BOK Center's newly completed financial report for its second fiscal year, which ran from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010, shows that it provided $2,764,909 in sales tax revenue for the city, county and state.

That's derived from $34,862,555 in purchases of tickets, T-shirts, concessions and other items.

Of the 8.517-cent sales tax rate collected in Tulsa, 3 cents go to the city, 1.017 cents go to Tulsa County and 4.5 cents go to the state.

34,862,555 x .08517 = $2,969,243.81     

So my question is...   How did they give away 2.6 million without paying sales taxes?
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Hoss on July 26, 2010, 03:51:07 PM
Quote from: TeeDub on July 26, 2010, 03:12:41 PM
Math Question....  

Since the TW article is throwing around all these numbers...

34,862,555 x .08517 = $2,969,243.81      

So my question is...   How did they give away 2.6 million without paying sales taxes?

Exemptions possibly?  Also, there are some items that aren't taxable...not sure if they sell any that aren't, but they do exist.  I don't believe programs and such are taxable items in the state of OK.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: zstyles on August 03, 2010, 12:58:10 PM
Perhaps its the ticket processor, they use ticket.com i believe, its 25-50.00 per ticket for the (convenience fee for processing it) which is such BS. Go to the box office and the same ticket is about 3.00 for a service charge, I don't know why the city is letting them get away with highway robbery when trying to buy a ticket online via the website.

Bought tickets today for the expo square fee was 3.00 no matter if it was online or in person...why is the BOK center so high?
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: nathanm on August 03, 2010, 03:45:14 PM
Quote from: zstyles on August 03, 2010, 12:58:10 PM
Bought tickets today for the expo square fee was 3.00 no matter if it was online or in person...why is the BOK center so high?
Because TicketMaster isn't any cheaper, and you need distributors because they are useful to all the people who live far away but still come to shows here.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: zstyles on August 04, 2010, 09:38:56 AM
I was just looking at the OP's questions: Millions going out of state for ticket convenience sales, can't a local company handle this and keep those millions here?

So what does Expo Use? Why is it so much cheaper?

Also wasn't there a local company a few years ago that had its own system and was owned in TULSA?
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Conan71 on August 04, 2010, 09:43:51 AM
Quote from: zstyles on August 04, 2010, 09:38:56 AM
I was just looking at the OP's questions: Millions going out of state for ticket convenience sales, can't a local company handle this and keep those millions here?

So what does Expo Use? Why is it so much cheaper?

Also wasn't there a local company a few years ago that had its own system and was owned in TULSA?

Carson Attractions I think is who you are talking about.  Not sure what happened to them, I think they got by-passed by the on-line revolution.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Hoss on August 04, 2010, 09:55:56 AM
Quote from: Conan71 on August 04, 2010, 09:43:51 AM
Carson Attractions I think is who you are talking about.  Not sure what happened to them, I think they got by-passed by the on-line revolution.

Jeff Lund bought CA and kept them open for one year so the Oiler's would have 'ticketing continuity'.  He shuttered them when the CC decided it was better to have a national firm doing tickets (Tickets.com).  Blame the CC Mgmt.  SMG was not a player by that time.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071009_1_A13_spanc72170
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: zstyles on August 04, 2010, 11:35:06 AM
So perhaps it isn't Ticket.Com charging this, just went online: No explanation what the convenience fee is for.

Ticket Price:   $67.75
Convenience Fees:   $22.90   
Order Processing:  $3.75   
   SubTotal: $94.40

Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Conan71 on August 04, 2010, 11:38:46 AM
The convenience fee is someone's profit for selling you the ticket.  What show was that for? 
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: zstyles on August 04, 2010, 12:11:35 PM
I just randomly picked John Mayer's show..Club Seats..

Tom Petty (Side View Tickets)
Ticket Cost: 117.65
Convenience Fees:   $14.75   
Order Processing:  $3.75   
   SubTotal: $136.25       


Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: dbacks fan on August 04, 2010, 12:18:30 PM
Tom Petty and ZZ Top At US Airways Center from Ticketmaster:

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and ZZ Top
US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ
Sun, Sep 26, 2010 07:30 PM

Section
Row
Seats
Description H
4
4
Price Level 1
FLOOR LEVEL
RESERVED SEATING TypeFull Price AdultTicket PriceUS $125.00 x 1
Price Details Facility ChargeUS $4.75 x 1
Convenience ChargeUS $8.50 x 1
SUBTOTALUS $138.25

John Mayer (thought he was boycotting AZ)

John Mayer with Owl City
Cricket Wireless Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 07:00 PM

Section
Row
Seats
Description 102
N
20
Price Level 1
Paperless Ticket. Delivery method cannot be changed.
TypeFULL PRICE ADULT
Ticket PriceUS $69.50 x 1  
Price Details Convenience ChargeUS $15.00 x 1
SUBTOTALUS $84.50

Sound like the ticketing company there is taking advantage.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Conan71 on August 04, 2010, 12:38:45 PM
One reason I seldom attend concerts.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Oil Capital on August 04, 2010, 03:39:33 PM
Quote from: Hoss on August 04, 2010, 09:55:56 AM
Jeff Lund bought CA and kept them open for one year so the Oiler's would have 'ticketing continuity'.  He shuttered them when the CC decided it was better to have a national firm doing tickets (Tickets.com).  Blame the CC Mgmt.  SMG was not a player by that time.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071009_1_A13_spanc72170

Huh?   How was SMG not a player?  SMG IS the CC Mgmt.  In the linked article, the referenced "new private management company" is SMG.  
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Hoss on August 04, 2010, 03:56:00 PM
Quote from: Oil Capital on August 04, 2010, 03:39:33 PM
Huh?   How was SMG not a player?  SMG IS the CC Mgmt.  In the linked article, the referenced "new private management company" is SMG.  

Wasn't a player in the CA shuttering.  Regardless of whoever was chosen, the CA was going to shutter.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Townsend on October 11, 2010, 01:57:12 PM
http://www.ktul.com/Global/story.asp?S=13303206&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter (http://www.ktul.com/Global/story.asp?S=13303206&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)

Top Selling Venues in the U.S.

1. Madison Square Garden 812,421
2. Sprint Center              392,851
3. Philips Arena               379,089
4. Staples Center            369,394
5. BOK Center                 320,048

QuoteTulsa's downtown arena continues to be a popular attraction as rankings by Pollstar Magazine show the BOK Center moved up to fifth in the U.S. and 15th in the world among venues in ticket sales.

From January first through September 30th, the BOK Center sold 320-thousand, 48 tickets. Only Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Philips Arena in Atlanta and the Staples Center in Los Angeles have sold more tickets

Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Conan71 on October 11, 2010, 02:32:26 PM
B....b...b...but, the BOK Center is still a bust!  Too many acts chasing two few entertainment dollars and it's a bad investment.  Communities shouldn't be in the areema business.

/sarc

Seriously, who saw Tulsa as being in the top five selling venues in the US or 15th in the world.  Holy crap!  Any way you slice it, it's major WIN! for Tulsa.  There's no way to refute the success, in spite of what some bloggers would want you to believe.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: DolfanBob on October 11, 2010, 03:17:46 PM
And were is Oklahoma City's Bored Center ?
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Hoss on October 11, 2010, 03:22:11 PM
Quote from: Conan71 on October 11, 2010, 02:32:26 PM
B....b...b...but, the BOK Center is still a bust!  Too many acts chasing two few entertainment dollars and it's a bad investment.  Communities shouldn't be in the areema business.

/sarc

Seriously, who saw Tulsa as being in the top five selling venues in the US or 15th in the world.  Holy crap!  Any way you slice it, it's major WIN! for Tulsa.  There's no way to refute the success, in spite of what some bloggers would want you to believe.

I sure didn't.  I thought it would do well the first year then taper off.  It's been consistent now for two years.

To be honest, I was concerned when I voted for this.  But the local SMG staff are to be commended for the quality and frequency of shows that they are attracting.

Conan, hockey season starts Friday.  You coming to any games this season?
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Townsend on October 11, 2010, 03:49:29 PM
Quote from: DolfanBob on October 11, 2010, 03:17:46 PM
And were is Oklahoma City's Bored Center ?

I went to a show there Friday night.  Nice facility and good location for hotels and entertainment.  Well within walking distance of many things to do and places to stay.

I'm really looking forward to the area around the BOK to be developed.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: DTowner on October 11, 2010, 03:53:38 PM
Those are pretty amazing stats.  I think the BOK Center has also been the unintentional beneficiary of the Thunder (sporting events are not counted in those rankings).  The Thunder take up a lot of dates for the Ford Center and have helped Tulsa land some shows that might otherwise played OKC.  Several people in OKC have commented to me that they think Tulsa is now getting more and better concerts than OKC.  Whatever the cause, I hope SMG keeps up the good work.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: Conan71 on October 11, 2010, 04:29:37 PM
Quote from: DTowner on October 11, 2010, 03:53:38 PM
Those are pretty amazing stats.  I think the BOK Center has also been the unintentional beneficiary of the Thunder (sporting events are not counted in those rankings).  The Thunder take up a lot of dates for the Ford Center and have helped Tulsa land some shows that might otherwise played OKC.  Several people in OKC have commented to me that they think Tulsa is now getting more and better concerts than OKC.  Whatever the cause, I hope SMG keeps up the good work.

Exactly.  No matter the reason, a hall that consistently sells well can book big name shows.  Not to mention, Tulsa being relatively insulated from the national economic woes hasn't hurt.  This has exceeded my best expectations by far.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: OpenYourEyesTulsa on October 13, 2010, 10:07:44 AM
Quote from: Townsend on October 11, 2010, 03:49:29 PM
I went to a show there Friday night.  Nice facility and good location for hotels and entertainment.  Well within walking distance of many things to do and places to stay.

I'm really looking forward to the area around the BOK to be developed.

I went to the Ford Center on Friday night as well and went to the BOK Center last night.  The BOK Center blows the Ford Center away.  The Ford Center has nasty floors, junky bathrooms, worse parking (I never have to pay to park when I go to the BOK Center), and the outside of the Ford Center is butt ugly.

There are no bars, restaurants, or entertainment right next to the Ford Center and you have to walk under that train bridge and go into Bricktown.  It is quite a pain in a big crowd trying to squeeze through the little walkway.  BOK Center will be much better by having entertainment right accross the street and the pedestrian bridge at Boulder to the Brady District someday soon.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: bmuscotty on October 13, 2010, 10:41:58 AM
Ozzy Osbourne at the BOK 02/10/11.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: DTowner on October 13, 2010, 02:07:33 PM
I think the differences between the Ford Center and BOK Arena are interesting and striking.  As I understand it, OKC made a conscious decision to build the Ford Center somewhat on the cheap in order to get it built and open as soon as possible.  In hindsight, it's hard to argue with that decision and I doubt any OKC leader would change it now.  Of course, OKC is now spending a lot more money on the Ford Center to improve its look (and copy a little from their inferior neighbors in Tulsa).

If Tulsa had passed either one of the failed downtown plans that included an arena, it would have been operating 5-8 years ago.  Obviously, both of those proposals had issues, but passage would have probably resulted in an arena much more resembling the Ford Center than our current arena.  But our downtown development would also be further along than it is.

In light of the fact we missed out on getting an arena opened earlier, I think Mayor LaFortune made the right decision to go much nicer and create a iconic downtown landmark for several future generations of Tulsans.  If you're already late to the party, you might as well arrive in style with lots of shinning steel and gleaming glass.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: TheTed on October 13, 2010, 02:51:26 PM
Quote from: OpenYourEyesTulsa on October 13, 2010, 10:07:44 AMyou have to walk under that train bridge and go into Bricktown.  It is quite a pain in a big crowd trying to squeeze through the little walkway. 

When will cities in our region learn? Tulsa, OKC, Dallas, etc, all plan to make sure auto traffic is never slowed, to the maximum detriment of pedestrians.

If you go to a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, the sidewalk/plaza in front of the ballpark is packed full of people next to a mostly empty road. They actually have guards who yell at you if you attempt to walk around the crowd in the empty road. God forbid someone who decides to drive next to a massive sports stadium 15 minutes before gametime be inconvenienced in any way.
Title: Re: BOK Center increases profits
Post by: sgrizzle on October 13, 2010, 02:58:53 PM
Last time I went to the ford center we waited through several traffic signal cycles, about 5 minutes, and never once got a "Walk"

OKCPD did nothing to help either. Finally had to literally walk between moving cars.