NBA Lockout Threatens Bricktown, OKC Business Receipts

Havonnah Johnson, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- With negations coming to a halt, the NBA is on lockout. How does that affect the Sooner state?

The National Basketball Association lockout negatively impacts season ticket holders, the OKC Arena and Bricktown.

The Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce said every home game generates 1.3 million dollars. That is only for inside sales, which are ticket sales, concessions and Thunder gear.

Now, Bricktown businesses are worried about their bottom line. The NBA said during the lockout, teams will not negotiate, players will not be able to use team facilities and they won't be paid. They aren't the only ones whose will be missing out on money.

"For us it is two to three thousand dollars per home game, so over a forty game season, that's $120,000," Greg Powell of TapWerks said.

On average, Bricktown business owners said five to seven percent of their annual profits are generated on game day. Fans are disappointed as well.

"Think about the fans!  Think about us! What I am gonna do? Watch college football," said Priscilla Angelino.

Angelino may arguably be the Thunder's number one fan. She has the Thunder's logo and slogan tattooed on her inner and outer thighs. She attends about 15 games a year and would be devastated if she couldn't see Kevin Durant dunk.

"It makes me really nervous, especially with the NFL lockout and they aren't making any headway. Hopefully the NBA is better than the NFL is," she said.

The last NBA lockout was in 1999. Instead of the regularly scheduled 82 games only 50 were played.

Fans and business owners here are hoping history doesn't repeat itself.