KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City is reporting the team’s name will be the Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s the nickname that won The Oklahoman’s contest, which was determined by internet fan balloting. The ABC affiliate cited a source close to the ownership group that Thunder will be the nickname for the NBA franchise that moved to Oklahoma City from Seattle earlier this month.
The Oklahoman conducted a 64-team NCAA Tournament-like bracket contest. Thunder defeated Outlaws in the finals.
Dan Mahoney, a spokesman for the Oklahoma City NBA franchise, said Saturday night no one with the organization would comment on KOCO’s report.
“We’re not commenting on the name process until we have something ready to announce,” Mahoney said, adding no press conferences are scheduled.
NBA officials said earlier this week said they expect something to be announced next month but added the entire process — a nickname, logos and uniforms — could stretch into September.
Oklahoma City owner Clay Bennett has said privately he prefers a nickname that ends with the letter “s” instead of a singular name nickname, but Bennett added that he and his partners would consider several options.
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