The Oklahoma City Thunder will soon have a new home following OKC’s overwhelming support to continue a one-cent tax that’ll help generate at least $850 million to pay for a new arena.
The publicly owned arena will open no later than the 2029-30 season, and the Thunder will sign a 25-year lease. The Thunder have called Paycom Center their home since their arrival in 2008. The arena opened in 2002 and is one of the smallest/oldest arenas in the NBA.
Following the election, the next step in this multiyear process is figuring out where the new arena would be located. A popular theory has been on the site of Prairie Surf Studios, which sits across the street from Paycom Center.
Although nothing is confirmed yet, that speculation gained more validity when it was reported Prairie Surf Studios would not extend its lease beyond 2025. It is currently located at the city-owned Cox Convention Center.
CEO of Prairie Surf Studios Rachel Cannon released the following statement on why the company will not renew its lease:
“We are grateful for the opportunity to use this city asset to develop a proof of concept that showcases the film industry’s potential to provide high-paying jobs, business growth, economic development, and excitement for our City and state. While the convention center wasn’t considered a permanent studio home, it exceeded our expectations in supporting high-level production with Tulsa King and now Twisters. We look forward to exploring the next chapter of Prairie Surf Studios. As the City noted, the arena site has not yet been decided on, nor are there any potential sites for us. We look forward to growing this homegrown “Hollywood” alongside the NBA as we build a brighter tomorrow for Oklahoma City and Oklahoma. Together.”
While an answer will not be found shortly, it appears Prairie Surf Studios is the most logical choice to begin construction on a new OKC arena.
