Should Oklahoma City invest in new arena for OKC Thunder? Readers respond.

In his State of the City address, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt discussed building a new NBA arena for the Oklahoma City Thunder to "secure a long-term future" with the team.

This week, we invited readers to share their thoughts on whether Oklahoma City should make the investment. Here are some of their responses:

"YES! Because real cities, like Oklahoma City, that want to be successful invest in themselves and the future. This is the lesson we have learned from the overwhelming success of MAPS. Go OKC!"

— Johnny Bates, Oklahoma City

"Yes, it costs money to play in the big leagues. Having the Thunder in OKC has played a large part (not the only part) in the improvements around town and greatly improved the city's image. There's a whole lot about this state that influences young people not to want to be here. Losing the Thunder would provide further reasons for businesses and people not to move here. You have to have a new arena to keep the Thunder. No new arena, and they'll leave for the next city that builds one."

— Jason Foreman, Oklahoma City

"I strongly support investing in a new NBA arena for Oklahoma City and the Thunder. What I don’t support is Oklahoma residents having to bear the entire expense. This investment should be shared between Oklahoma residents as well as the city."

— Yenei Perez, Oklahoma City

"Yes, the average age of an NBA arena is 20 years old, which is what the Paycom Arena is now. This project wouldn’t be complete until 2030ish and will most likely be funded through the already existing .01 sales tax for MAPS. By that time, the arena will be completely out of date. Also, this arena wasn’t originally built for an NBA team, and given this logistical restraint and the fact that it is the smallest NBA arena by square footage means that a new arena will be needed in 10 years. People who say 'the arena is just fine' don’t realize how behind the Paycom Arena is to other arenas throughout the league. Every stadium and arena is financed either partially or fully by taxpayer money. This is the reality. If you want the city to continue to grow and progress, then this is essential. Having an NBA team provide such a positive direct and indirect economic benefit that it makes sense."

— Dylan Latimer, Moore

"Whatever it takes to keep the Thunder. Some things are bigger than money."

— Tyler Black, Norman

"Yes, Oklahoma City should invest in an updated event center. An updated event center would incentivize the Thunder to extend their contract. As well as provide the opportunity to host popular artists and events."

— Daniel Gutierrez, Edmond

"If this question was asked when the Thunder was winning nobody would have an issue but being at the bottom of the league season after season does make it a hard sell."

— John Srader, Krebs

"Only if the Team Owners invest their money too in a new arena. Especially when the thunder does not feel obligated to put a quality team on the court."

— Patrick Schoenfeldt, Edmond

"Yes. It’s clear the Thunder have helped change this city for the better. A 10-year couple cent tax is chump change compared to the benefits of a new arena that all will enjoy, and not just for basketball. I would like to see a long-term lease signed and a 10-20% kick-in by the Thunder, though. Business always works better when both parties have skin in the game."

— Michael LaPagila, Mulhall

"Yes. The Thunder have made a tremendous impact on the community and have helped with the growth in the metro. Downtown OKC was a dump before they came here."

— Zachary Edwards, Mustang

"Yes, need to keep the Thunder. Paycom Center was one of the cheapest-built arenas in all of NBA."

— Ryan Beck, Minco

"Yes, because it's necessary to not only keep the Thunder but to keep the momentum that the Thunder has brought."

— Rob McCutchan, Moore

"Yes, because I live in Kansas and I won’t have to pay for it, lol. But that’s exactly the reason they should. Also because my wife and I come to Oklahoma City to watch the Thunder play a couple times a year, we eat out, we stay in a hotel, we go shopping, etc. If there is no NBA team, we would have no reason to come to OKC."

— Talan Shinn, Conway Springs, KS

"Yes. The Thunder have completely changed Oklahoma City for the better, and Tulsa has felt the residuals of that too! Let's not find ourselves in a position where we could lose our team. The Thunder are good for the whole state, but even better for OKC."

— Grant Briscoe, Tulsa

"My first thought was, 'What?!' But I guess the city has to start thinking and planning now as it's a process that spans years. Like others have mentioned, the arena was built nearly two decades ago and long before it was home to an NBA team. People who think we have to fill the arena 100% of the time or who think the team needs to "earn" it with a winning record have a very shallow view of the NBA's dynamics. Trades happen, rebuilds happen, coaching changes happen. The cycles of contending and rebuilding are unavoidable — particularly in a smaller market. Have we forgotten the "sad" days it took to get to the perpetually-contending Thunder? (By the way, if you can't see how bright our future is now, you haven't been paying attention!) Having the Thunder in Oklahoma City is an investment in our city. They draw fans in from all over the state and beyond. It's not just about ticket sales — it's about the arena workers and vendors, the parking facilities, the restaurants, the hotels, and all the other businesses that see the positive impact of every single game. And it's not just about the money for most of us. The Thunder has been a huge source of pride, excitement, and connection spanning more than a decade. Win or lose, it's OUR team. Thunder UP!"

— Michele Castleberry, Chickasha

"I do not understand a new sports arena for Oklahoma City. Did we not just build one with MAPS? It is fabulous from the exterior and adjacent to a luxury hotel to attract large events, and paid for by the time it was completed. I have never heard of one basketball practice, concert or other crowd attracting event being held there. Do the taxpayers of this city need another MAPS-financed facility?"

— Sue Gabe, Oklahoma City

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Should Oklahoma City invest in new arena for OKC Thunder? Readers respond.