Tag: Chesapeake Energy Arena

Anheuser-Busch to open dining, bar space arena as part of Thunder agreement

Anheuser-Busch extended its partnership with the OKC Thunder and will be opening a walk-up dining and bar space in the stadium next season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced that as part of the team’s renewed agreement with Anheuser-Busch, the brewing company will open a walk-up dining and bar area in Chesapeake Energy Arena.

The new Michelob ULTRA Club will open in the spot that is currently held by the Budweiser Brew House in the stadium, according to the press release.

Michelob ULTRA will also continue to sponsor the Thunder Bar Network.

Anheuser-Busch has been a partner of the Thunder since 2008, when the team moved to Oklahoma City.

Anheuser-Busch has been a proud partner of the Thunder since day one,” Will Syring, vice president of Corporate Partnerships for the Thunder,” said in a statement. “This meaningful renewal is a shared commitment to delivering Thunder fans a premium experience both in the arena and throughout Oklahoma.

Fans were not allowed inside Chesapeake Energy Arena during Thunder games this season.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in April said that he expects arenas to be able to operate under full capacity during the 2021-22 season.

Chesapeake Energy Arena is terminating its naming rights with the Thunder. The team will look for a new partner for its name for the coming season.

This post originally appeared on OKCThunderWire. Follow us on Facebook!

Thunder seeking new naming rights for Chesapeake Energy Arena

Chesapeake Energy Corporation informed the OKC Thunder that the company is terminating the arena naming rights agreement.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Tuesday that Chesapeake Energy Corporation is terminating the arena naming rights agreement with the team.

The Thunder are now seeking out a new partner for the rights for the arena name.

Oklahoma City’s stadium became known as The Peake in 2011 when a 12-year agreement was signed. It became publicly apparent that the change was a possibility in June 2020 when Chesapeake Energy Corp. filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. It emerged from bankruptcy in February 2021.

“As Chesapeake Energy Arena, our building has been home to so many exciting and historic moments and events,”Clay Bennett, chairman of the Thunder franchise, said in a statement.

“As we look to forge a new partnership for naming rights, we will identify a partner who will help build on that history and be the centerpiece of our growing, modern and vibrant downtown environment.”

The stadium will continue to be called Chesapeake Energy Arena while the Thunder search for a new partner.

Over the nine-plus seasons playing at The Peake, the Thunder had a record of 474-296 (61.6%), as of April 20, the day the announcement was made. This will be just the second season with the arena name in which Oklahoma City does not reach the postseason.

This post originally appeared on OKCThunderWire. Follow us on Facebook!

[mm-video type=video id=01f1v660rvksa3r4f1 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f1v660rvksa3r4f1/01f1v660rvksa3r4f1-c4a51f0451f94ece775d946229da6616.jpg]

Report: NBA expects arenas to allow fans at full capacity next season

The NBA is hopeful that with COVID-19 precautions and a partnership with Clear, arenas will be able to allow fans at full capacity.

The NBA is hopeful that Chesapeake Energy Arena and all other stadiums will be able to operate with a full capacity of fans during the 2021-22 season, according to a new report from ESPN.

A partnership with a biometric screening company has created optimism around the league. Clear is known for its expedited security process at airports, ESPN wrote, and will allow teams around the league to use its COVID-19 health screening technology.

Teams around the league that already use Clear have access to health surveys, lab results and records for employee and fan protocols.

The Thunder have not allowed fans into Chesapeake Energy Arena at all this season, though the majority of teams around the league are allowing some fans at a reduced capacity.

Based on the ESPN report, stadiums could be back to full capacity next year.

As of April 6, the seven-day average of new coronavirus cases in Oklahoma was 310, a 17% decrease over the 14 days prior, according to the New York Times. The seven-day average of deaths was 15.

More than a million people in the state have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Heath.

This post originally appeared on OKCThunderWire. Follow us on Facebook!

Fans will not be allowed at Thunder games during start of season

Oklahoma City Thunder fans will not be allowed inside Chesapeake Energy Arena during games at the start of the 2020-21 NBA season.

With increasing coronavirus rates and hospitalizations in Oklahoma and the United States, the Oklahoma City Thunder announced that no fans will be allowed into the arena during games at the beginning of the season.

This was a change from Nov. 10, on which date the Thunder announced some fans would be allowed.

“For months, we have worked in close collaboration with Chesapeake Energy Arena, the City of Oklahoma City, local health officials, and the NBA to put into place thorough health and safety measures to allow for reduced seating capacity,” the Thunder said in a statement Monday.

“However, as we review ongoing and concerning trends in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Oklahoma, we want to exercise an abundance of caution to help control the spread of the virus in our community.”

On Nov. 10, the seven-day average of new coronavirus cases in Oklahoma was 1,947 and seven-day average of deaths was 11, according to the New York Times.

On Nov. 29, the average was 3,031 new cases and 15 deaths per day.

Hospitalizations have also increased, with an average of 1,049 patients on Nov. 10 and 1,612 on Nov. 29.

The Thunder plans to monitor COVID-19 rates and eventually allow fans into the arena for games.

“We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation over the coming weeks to determine when fans will be able to attend our games,” the Thunder said. “We will take all necessary steps to create a safe environment for those who will be in attendance for games as the upcoming season begins, including players, coaches, staff, media and broadcasters.”

[lawrence-related id=439412,439409]

Thunder to allow some fans at home games, implement COVID-19 restrictions

Some fans will be allowed at Chesapeake Energy Arena during Oklahoma City Thunder games during the 2020-21 NBA season.

[jwplayer uloPlAaR-z6KDnl0B]

Oklahoma City fans will be able to watch basketball in person in 2021.

The Thunder announced Tuesday that some fans will be allowed at Chesapeake Energy Arena next season.

The number of fans was not specified, but the press release said there will be “reduced seating capacity.”

There will be new health and safety guidelines for fans and employees at the arena to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Face masks will be mandatory and are to be worn at all times unless eating or drinking. Groups will be seated six feet apart from each other. The stadium has implemented new cleaning protocols, installed plexiglass at concession stands and upgraded the HVAC filter.

The coronavirus has also forced Chesapeake Energy Arena to step into the future with its technology use of touchless ticket scanning and concession payment in the stadium.

Contactless mobile ticketing will be used with self-serve ticket scanners at entrances in an attempt to limit contact with staff.

These contactless scanners have also been placed at concession stands and team shops to allow credits card usage without handing the card to the cashier.

Apple Pay and Google Wallet will be allowed.

Oklahoma City has also implemented a new mobile ordering system for food and beverages on the Thunder App. This program will allow fans to order and pay on their phone and then retrieve the order at a pickup location. The stadium and organization hopes this will limit lines.

The NBA season is scheduled to begin Dec. 22 with training camps set to start on Dec. 1.

[lawrence-related id=438715,438651]

Thunder to hold voter registration drives at Chesapeake Energy Arena

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced that Chesapeake Energy Arena will be used to host voter registration drives on Saturdays.

The Oklahoma City Thunder organization announced Tuesday that it will hold voter registration drives inside Chesapeake Energy Arena on Saturdays leading up to the registration deadline.

Registration at the arena will be available from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. from Sept. 12 through Oct. 4.

People will be given free access to computers, printers, postage-paid envelopes and other voting resources. They can also apply for absentee ballots.

Voting information will also be available at the arena Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays beginning Sept. 14.

This is part of the social justice reforms the Thunder and rest of the NBA agreed to last week after the players went on strike.

[lawrence-related id=437227]

With the Thunder Vote initiative, the organization hopes to emphasize the importance of voting and provide resources to help more people vote.

“This is a non-partisan initiative to ensure that all eligible citizens in our community have the access and support they need to register, vote and have their voices heard in all federal, state and local elections. This has become a permanent priority of the Thunder organization,” Thunder vice president of Community Relations Christine Berney said in a statement.

The organization will also try to encourage people to participate in the U.S. Census.

Additionally, team offices will be closed on state and federal election days to allow staff more time to vote or volunteer at polling sites.

“Voting is an absolute cornerstone of our democracy and the Thunder is proud to help spread the message of the importance of registering and voting,” Berney said.

[lawrence-related id=437301]

Chesapeake Energy, with naming rights to Thunder arena, files for bankruptcy

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, which has the name rights to the Oklahoma City Thunder stadium, has filed for bankruptcy.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, which owns the naming rights to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s basketball arena, filed for bankruptcy Sunday, according to the New York Times.

The company accumulated more than $20 billion in debt by 2013 and still had $9.5 billion of debt at the end of last year, according to the NYT.

It lost $8.3 billion in the first quarter of this year, according to the New York Times.

The corporation is one of more than a dozen energy companies to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Washington Post.

Chesapeake Energy signed a 12-year deal in 2011 with the Thunder to have naming rights to the arena. It cost the company $3 million over the first season and increased by 3% each year after, according to ESPN.

It was unclear how the bankruptcy will affect the name of the stadium, according to ESPN.

The deal is currently scheduled to expire after the 2022-23 season.

[lawrence-related id=433947,433920]

Cher cancels Chesapeake Energy Arena show due to coronavirus concerns

Cher said she could not “in good conscience” perform at the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chesapeake Energy Arena due to the coronavirus.

Cher tweeted that she can’t “in good conscience” perform Thursday at Chesapeake Energy Arena as scheduled due to concerns about the coronavirus.

On Wednesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder game against the Utah Jazz was postponed right before opening tip when a Jazz player was diagnosed with the coronavirus.

The NBA subsequently suspended all league play indefinitely.

Cher’s “Here We Go Again” Tour, which started March 6, was scheduled to stop at the Thunder arena for a show Thursday at 7:30 pm.

All day we were on phone with arena because I wanted 2 cancel (tomorrow night),” Cher tweeted Wednesday, in all capital letters.

“On our last call they decided 2 cancel basketball. Arenas I’ve played, checked health officials in those cities. Today I watched news & worried about you & your health. I couldn’t in good conscience play.”

“I am so sorry, but your health is paramount,” she said in another tweet.

[lawrence-related id=430774,430742,430725]

Sacramento Kings at Oklahoma City Thunder odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Sacramento Kings at Oklahoma City Thunder sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and bets.

The Sacramento Kings (24-33) head to Chesapeake Energy Arena Thursday for their third meeting of the season with the Oklahoma City Thunder (36-22). Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET and we analyze the Kings-Thunder odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Kings at Thunder: Key injuries

Kings

  • C Richaun Holmes (shoulder) out
  • PF Marvin Bagley III (foot) out

Thunder

  • SF Darius Bazley (knee) out
  • SG Andre Roberson (knee) out

Kings at Thunder: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:25 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Kings 115, Thunder 111

Moneyline (ML)

The Kings-Thunder season series is tied 1-1 and both teams are playing their best basketball of the season. Sacramento (+220) beat the Golden State Warriors 112-94 Tuesday, marking their third-straight win and sixth in their last eight games. Oklahoma City (-278) pulled out a nailbiter in a 124-122 win at the Chicago Bulls Tuesday. It was the Thunder’s fourth straight win and they have won 13 of their past 16 games. Aside from their win/loss records, these two teams are near each other in several statistical categories. 

PASS ON THE MONEYLINE because both teams are playing great and I  give the Kings a realistic chance to pull off an upset but the moneyline will be safer for Sacramento.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Sacramento is a quality road team against the spread: Their 18-12 ATS road record is the fourth-highest winning percentage in the NBA and they are 9-5 ATS in away games against winning teams. The Thunder are just 8-9 ATS at home against losing teams. Also, the Kings are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 overall meetings and 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings in Oklahoma City.

BET KINGS +6.5 (-110). New to sports betting? Bet $110 on the Kings +6.5 (-110) to earn a $100 profit if the Kings lose by six or fewer points, or win outright.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 221.5 (-121) is the play in Kings-Thunder. First, the combined Over/Under record of the officiating crew slated to ref this game is 58-49. Second, February has been the highest-scoring month for both teams. Third, the Over is 8-1 in the Kings last nine road games vs. a team with a winning home record and 4-1-1 in the Thunder’s last six overall.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]