--All 82 regular-season games for this season are being broadcast in high definition. Play-by-play announcer Brian Davis and color analyst Grant Long are also returning for their second season. The Thunder is one of only 10 NBA teams to broadcast all 82 games in HD. "We're committed to providing our fans, who are among the loudest and most passionate in the league, with the best possible viewing and listening experience," said Ken Adelson, the team's senior vice president. "We are excited to be able to showcase the Thunder in sparkling clear HD every game. We are proud to be among the first teams in the NBA to go all HD." --Officials from the City of Oklahoma City, INTEGRIS Health and the Oklahoma City Thunder broke ground on the team's new practice facility, which is scheduled to open prior to the 2010-11 season. The new facility will officially be known as The INTEGRIS Health Thunder Development Center.
"This is a very exciting day for the Thunder organization, as well as for Oklahoma City and INTEGRIS Health," said Thunder chairman Clay Bennett. "This state-of-the-art facility wouldn't be possible without the support of the citizens of Oklahoma City and their desire to bring the NBA to this great market."
Funding for construction of the practice facility and renovations to the Ford Center comes from a one-cent sales tax approved by Oklahoma City voters earlier this year. The 15-month tax took effect on Jan. 1, 2009 and will expire March 31, 2010. As part of the lease agreement, the Thunder will make an annual $100,000 rent payment to the city.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "They play hard. It's a young team, an exciting team. Like I said, I already know Kevin (Durant) and Jeff (Green) and I know their work ethic and everybody's just going to branch off from them and see how they work and see how they're professionals to the game." -- Etan Thomas, on coming to the Thunder.
