Tulsa Billionaire Becomes Thunder co-owner

[KBaden145]

I'll take Norman over any place in this state, so there's that...


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[SoonerTraveler]

...

And I'll add this comment. While I think there is a rivalry here that is two-sided, it is typically one that isn't heated or brought up often. Most of my experiences with seeing it discussed in any kind of heated way, was when it was brought up in certain context. It isn't like Tulsans just sit around bad mouthing OKC. And I'm sure OKC folks don't sit around just bashing Tulsa either. It isn't THAT kind of rivalry. But it is one that once the topic has been broached, both sides have very strong opinions.

Yes, once this topic is brought up on a message board, it does generate passion on both sides. I just don't comprehend why. It seems like wasted effort to me.

If I really wanted to stir the pot, I might speculate that it is because Tulsa is more "Republican."

But we really do not want to go there.

 

[NickZepp]

Who cares about OKC vs Tulsa crap. Both cities are experiencing tremendous growth right now. Who would have thought even a little more than 10 years ago that OKC would be a pro town by now and have a top tier NBA team?

 

[skyvue]

You are missing the point. Tulsa isn't better than OKC because we get chain restaurants first. Tulsa gets chain restaurants first because it is "better" (or at least, higher on the pecking order). Don't worry, I'm sure NYC gets them before Oklahoma has even heard of them. And I don't know how far back you are going on your NYC used to not have any chain restaurants claim, but I visited about 20 years ago, any there were EVERYWHERE. Not that it matters. NYC is unique enough as an American city that there is nothing about a comparison of NYC to any midwestern city that makes any sense at all.

I didn't miss the point. I question whether being higher on a restaurant chain's pecking order is anything to be happy about. Depends upon the chain, I suppose, but generally, I would say no, it's not.

As for your visit to NYC, I'm guessing you spent most of your time in the Times Square area, which was and is geared to tourists. There are McDonald's all over the city and we have more than our share of Subways, but any other fast food chains I can think of, we have only a few scattered around the city.

Sit-down chains likes Olive Garden, Outback, Applebee's, we have very few of, and they are mostly concentrated near Times Square.

 

[bocabull]

Come on people. There are "chain" restaurants in every single city with the economies of scale to support the business model. The evidence would also show the consistency and quality of food at the successful chains exceeds that of many higher priced local establishments.

Have never lived in Tulsa or OKC but the topography of Tulsa is undeniably more appealing.

 

[WTSooner]

Come on people. There are "chain" restaurants in every single city with the economies of scale to support the business model. The evidence would also show the consistency and quality of food at the successful chains exceeds that of many higher priced local establishments.

Have never lived in Tulsa or OKC but the topography of Tulsa is undeniably more appealing.

It feels weird agreeing with you, but I do. lol

 

[mardaddy51]

Nonsense.

And all you need to know about what the restaurant industry thinks of the two cities is that Tulsa gets almost every "new" chain restaurant before OKC does.

Who the hell likes chain restaurants anyways??

 

[SoonerBounce13]

For the most part, both dislike each other. It certainly isn't "one-sided".

By the way, Tulsa is better.

Lol. I've never heard an okc resident complain about Tulsa. Tulsa has little brother syndrom


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[SoonerBounce13]

Nonsense.



And all you need to know about what the restaurant industry thinks of the two cities is that Tulsa gets almost every "new" chain restaurant before OKC does.

Lol


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[DenverSooner]

To me the best evidence of which City is better or more appealing is that Tulsa's goal is to be better than OKC. OKC wants to be better than KC, Dallas, Denver, etc.

 

[Mackie McNeer]

Lol. I've never heard an okc resident complain about Tulsa. Tulsa has little brother syndrom


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That's funny, I never heard of the "rivalry" till I came to Norman for school from Tulsa. I heard so much unwarranted trash talking against tulsa I was amazed! It's especially evident in the high school football discussion. So much anger towards Jenks, Union, and BA to a lesser extent.

Each city has its strengths, we're too small a state to have such a rivalry get in the way. Nice try with the "little brother" comment though. Doubt you've even been Tulsa bruh.

 

[Vinny78]

You are missing the point. I agree that chains don't make the city. But there is an order that "most" chain restaurants open in. And that fact that "most" open in Tulsa before OKC is telling. Whether anybody wants to admit that or not. Just like it's telling that most of them open in Dallas before either Tulsa/OKC. Tulsa has plenty of local, or Tulsa-only restaurants that compare just fine with anything OKC has.

Truth of the matter is, both cities are pretty darn equal in terms of what they offer, save a few things. The biggest to me is landscape, scenery, and all that jazz. I'm no tree hugger, but I like that Tulsa has hills and trees. I like that the lakes that are nearer to Tulsa are some of the best in the state. I like that it's just prettier country in the Tulsa part of the state. That is the first "big" advantage I'd give Tulsa.

Second is the people. Again, there isn't an earth-shattering difference, and this gap is certainly closing, but, and I'll try to say this in as non-offensive a way as I can, but Tulsans tend to be a more cultured people than folks that live in the City. The gap isn't this wide, but to me, and others I've discussed this with, it's a lot like Dallas vs FTW. FTW is a nice city. Solid place to raise a family. But it's a little more "farm" or "cowboy" than Dallas. OKC has a little more of that element still. Like I said, that gap is certainly closing, and probably will continue to close. But there is nothing OKC can do to even out the landscape difference I laid out above. And from most TRULY nonpartisan people that I've heard discuss that matter, the first thing they usually say is that Tulsa is simply a prettier place to live. So it does matter.

Everything else, pretty darn even. For all the money that OKC is spending, Tulsa is doing the same. Our downtown has changed 100x for the better in the recent year. We're about to get a giant family park down on the river, and that will likely spur further river development. The Creeks are about to do a major project at their casino that sits on the river, turning it into a resort, destination type hotel. Our highways has nearly all been reworked in a major way in recent years. There are TONS of projects in the works for Tulsa, just like OKC has, and has had in recent years.

Alright WT, obviously you are a Tulsan and proud of it and that is OK. BUT, if you looked at it in reality, you are wrong. First, I lived 28 years in OKC and the last 25 in Tulsa, so NO ONE is more qualified on this board to comment. I also cover the entire state and spend about 1 to 2 nights per week still in OKC. So I know CURRENTLY about both cities.

OKC in the last 20 years has FLOWN by Tulsa in Many areas. Tulsa is trying to copy OKC currently and had the leaders of OKC to Tulsa Twice in the last two years to get their advice on how to do it. Tulsa has NOTHING to match bricktown and downtown OKC and the river and the new downtown park, and many more things. NOTHING. I wish Tulsa did as my family would go there a couple times a week but there is NOTHING in Tulsa that attracts the burbs to go downtown. Tulsa did a bond deal a few years back and Screwed it up - instead of having true leaders who sold everyone on putting all the money in a central area in downtown, to get it passed they put some of the money in an arena and all the rest they split with ALL the suburbs. BAD DECISION. And Tulsa is putting in a similar park BUT it is NOT in downtown Tulsa it is south of dowtown along Riverside drive. NOTHING DONE CENTRALLY LIKE OKC. And instead of putting the arena by the river and building other things with the money they stuck in on the west dead end of downtown next to something they call the Tulsa convention center. OKC already has a much better and bigger convention center and they are getting ready to build a much bigger one while Tulsa doesn't really have anything functional.

You can bring your business meeting to Bricktown and everyone get to the hotel and no one has to get in a car for days as they can walk to 50 restaurants and bars and movie theatre's and Pro basketball and parks and Bass Pro and museums/libraries/etc.

As far as the people, PLEASE WT. WOW is all I can say. Tulsa has a TON of move in's from other states because of some of the businesses. They are Rude east and west coast people and NOT good friendly Oklahomans. I will take the kind Oklahoma folk of OKC ANY day over the snotty Non-Oklahomans in Tulsa. Like I said, yes there are a few more trees (not that much as OKC is very green) and more hills so topography wise Tulsa wins some BUT that is all. Tulsa has fallen WAY behind and thinking about trying to catch up at the same time OKC is spending 100's of millions on doing even more.

So from a TULSAN, WT I couldn't disagree with you more and I believe I am much more qualified to discuss this issue as mentioned above.

OK, rant over, lol.

 

[WTSooner]

I disagree with about everything you just said.

And I nearly stopped reading when you posted this gem:

I wish Tulsa did as my family would go there a couple times a week but there is NOTHING in Tulsa that attracts the burbs to go downtown.

First of all, I don't know many families that go out 2-3 times per week for anything but dinner. That is silly talk. And Tulsa has everything OKC does, it just might not be in one location. Who cares? There is plenty that brings people in to Tulsa from the burbs. PLENTY.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I don't think I've ever heard anybody try to make some of the claims you just made. lol. Doing the math, you are pretty old. Maybe that explains it?

 

[Mackie McNeer]

I disagree with the majority of your post and think the nonsense about Tulsa having nothing downtown is disingenuous. Have you been downtown in the last two years? At least three new museums, the Guthrie Green, The Brady District? There are tons of people out there every night and the BOK center brings in great acts, not to mention the New Drillers Ballpark.

Yes, OKC has the Thunder, better corporate citizens and ten times better leadership than Tulsa, but to act like Tulsa is just wasting away is total BS. Downtown Tulsa is a vibrant place and it's only getting better. And why don't we let the Gathering Place get built before we pass judgement?

Also agree that that Tulsa is more a regional city with the proximity to Fayetteville and Lawrence. Too many damn Beakers, that's for sure.

 

[WTSooner]

I disagree with the majority of your post and think the nonsense about Tulsa having nothing downtown is disingenuous. Have you been downtown in the last two years? At least three new museums, the Guthrie Green, The Brady District? There are tons of people out there every night and the BOK center brings in great acts, not to mention the New Drillers Ballpark.

Yep. Outside of having the Thunder, I've never really understood the draw of Bricktown. A lot of bars and restaurants? What city doesn't have something like that at some location?

Tulsa gets the better music acts, has the best music facility (HISTORIC Cain's Ballroom), and plenty of other stuff. Especially in the realm of the arts. Vinny mentioned people holding work meetings downtown in OKC. Plenty of folks will hold similar meeting or conferences at River Wind once it's renovated. Tulsa's downtown has done a lot of catching up to OKC in recent years. Or really, the last 18 months or so. I'd say the gap at this point is pretty slim, actually. We have new living downtown. Tons of good non-chain restaurants. Grocery shopping. Entertainment. Unique bars and stuff.

3-5 years ago, I understood the bashing of Tulsa's downtown area. Now? It's either uneducated bashing or simple foolishness. Outside of the Thunder and paddle boats or whatever that is that OKC has on the water, there isn't anything you can do in downtown OKC that you can't do in downtown Tulsa. And no, Bass Pro doesn't count. lol

 

[DenverSooner]

Downtown Tulsa is a vibrant place and it's only getting better.

I read comments from people frpm Tulsa and have to laugh. Have you ever been to Denver, KC, Houston, Austin ,San Antonio or OKC? Every single one of those cities has a substantially nicer downtown. While you consider that think about this, none of those places are NYC, Chicago or San Francisco.

 

[WTSooner]

Uhh.....Houston's downtown is garbage.

I'll give you Austin and SA. Sorry, but I won't give you OKC. I firmly believe Tulsa has caught up with them, or any difference is negligible. And I can say that, b/c I spent three days in downtown OKC this past week, on two different occasions. It's nice. But it doesn't offer anything that Tulsa now doesn't offer.

 

[bocabull]

Those stinking snotty non Oklahomans are probably jealous of the bass pro. lol

 

[WTSooner]

Those stinking snotty non Oklahomans are probably jealous of the bass pro. lol

Cracks me up that they are using that as some "plus" in this discussion.

 

[DenverSooner]

Uhh.....Houston's downtown is garbage.

I'll give you Austin and SA. Sorry, but I won't give you OKC. I firmly believe Tulsa has caught up with them, or any difference is negligible. And I can say that, b/c I spent three days in downtown OKC this past week, on two different occasions. It's nice. But it doesn't offer anything that Tulsa now doesn't offer.

Virtually no one outside of Tulsa will agree with you. To remotely think Tulsa is comparable to Houston is laughable. More people live in Houston than the Staye of Oklahoma. Houston has five star restaurants not just the chains. Houston is an international city. Houston has three major league sports. Houston gets all of the top tours. Your comment is truly ignorant.

Now you could say Houston's traffic sucks or plenty of other things but it's downtown compared to Tulsa is simply not a competition. It is a Juco playing OU and Tulsa is the Juco.