OKC's NBA team name continues to raise questions

By Alex Cameron, NEWS 9

The name of Oklahoma City's transplanted franchise remained the hot topic and remained unconfirmed by franchise officials Monday, despite reports to the contrary.

Most Oklahoma City sports fans are confident certain names are out, such as 89er's and Buffaloes, but don't know what to think of the reported name Thunder.

"That is the worst name I've ever heard," one fan said.

Clay Bennett and the ownership group are making no comment on the report, leaving fans to speculate as to its accuracy, and weigh in with their opinions, pro and con.

"Thunder is just as good as any other name; what else name are you gonna pick?" one fan said.

Whatever the name is, Bricktown merchants will call it good, as in, good for business. They said the 16,000 people registering for tickets are a pretty good indicator of what's to come.

"As good as the support was for the Hornets, I expect it, and it looks like the NBA is seeing it, too," Jim Cowan with the Bricktown Association said. "That is going to be even better for our own team."

"I think when you add all these things together, it's pretty overwhelming support that the community is showing in their interest in the NBA team," Roy Williams with the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce said.

Chamber officials said another indicator of that support is the more than 1,000 applications that have been filled out on their Web site by people interested in getting a job with the team or in being a vendor at the games.

In a release, team officials said they're pleased with the level of support shown by fans so far and said their sales team will be contacting those fans very soon.