OKC Thunder Seeks Central Role in Oklahoma Sports Betting
The Oklahoma City Thunder presented a plan to state lawmakers to secure a major position in Oklahoma’s potential legal sports betting market. Will Syring, the Thunder’s Vice President of Corporate Sponsorship, outlined the proposal aimed at enabling the NBA team to be a key facilitator in the new industry. Oklahoma is one of 11 states that has not yet legalized sports wagering.
Proposal Creates Single Master License
The Thunder proposed a structure where the team, or a consortium including tribal nations, would be authorized to offer a single master license for both mobile and retail sports betting. This license would then be available for operators like DraftKings or FanDuel once approved by both the state and the participating tribes. In other markets, professional sports teams often receive and profit from direct licenses.
The proposal includes a specific revenue sharing model:
- For the Thunder: The team would receive 0.25% of the platform’s total betting handle (total amount wagered).
- For Tribes: All revenue generated on the platform must be shared with the collective tribal nations.
- For the State: Exclusivity fees would be paid to the state through the existing tribal-state compact structure. This system currently provides Oklahoma with over $210 million annually, mainly for education.
Syring stated that the 0.25% allocation is a fair way to ensure a healthy market and keep the Thunder competitive.
Geofencing and Tribal Concerns
The Thunder’s license would be geofenced, meaning it would only cover non-tribal territory within Oklahoma. Tribal territories would operate under individual agreements between each tribe and their chosen operator, allowing them to manage their own sports betting products on their lands.
The proposal comes amid a complex debate involving the state legislature, the governor, and tribal governments. Matthew Morgan, Chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, expressed willingness to cooperate with the Thunder, calling them an important part of the discussion. However, Morgan also pointed out legal limits. Under the Indian Gaming Regulation Act, tribal betting lands would be restricted based on each tribe’s specific legal and treaty history. Morgan also believes that state law, specifically the State-Tribal Gaming Act, prevents the issuance of a license to any non-tribal operator.
The Thunder’s plan aims to overcome the past opposition from Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, who has promised to veto any bill that grants a wagering monopoly solely to the tribes. Syring said the final goal is to give “all Oklahomans the ability to safely place bets on their phones or at retail locations anywhere in Oklahoma.”
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