Oklahoma City Approves Sales Tax for New Thunder Arena

The NBA’s Thunder commits to stay in the city through at least 2050 as part of the deal.

Oklahoma City voters have approved a 1% sales tax for six years to fund a new downtown arena for the NBA’s Thunder, expected to cost at least $900 million.
The Thunder’s ownership group will contribute $50 million toward construction of the new arena, with an additional $70 million in funding from a sales tax approved by voters in 2019 for upgrades to the existing Paycom arena.
The Thunder agree to stay in Oklahoma City through at least 2050 as part of the deal.
The sales tax will begin April 1, 2028, when the current sales tax ends, so the city’s sales tax rate will remain unchanged.
The new arena is expected to open in time for the 2029-2030 NBA season.