BUSINESS THERE? YEAH, GUYS, IT MAKES SENSE THAT THE THUNDER WOULD BRING IN A LOT OF PEOPLE TO DOWNTOWN. BUT WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THERE’S BUSINESSES HERE IN MIDTOWN THAT SEE BIGGER CROWDS WHEN THE TEAM IS ON THE ROAD, WHEN WE HAVE HOME GAMES, IT’S NOT AS CRAZY. BUT WHEN THE AWAY GAMES, ESPECIALLY THE BIG GAMES, HAPPEN, WE GET PRETTY PACKED OUT. CAITLIN HAS WORKED AT MCNALLY’S PUB IN MIDTOWN FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS OR SO, AND KNOWS THERE’S A DIFFERENCE WHEN THE THUNDER ARE IN SEASON, ESPECIALLY ON GAME NIGHT. ALLEY OOP, THE HEART AND STUFF. I WOULD SAY IT STAYS BUSY THE WHOLE TIME THAT IT’S GOING ON. FANS MAKE IT A NIGHT LONG EVENT WHEN THE THUNDER ARE PLAYING. THEY STICK AROUND AT THE BAR, BUT MIDTOWN IS ALSO A HOTSPOT FOR THUNDER FANS. I FEEL LIKE ONCE PEOPLE ARE SAT FOR A GAME, ESPECIALLY A BIG GAME, THEY PRETTY MUCH STAY SAT. BUT I WILL SAY THERE’S SO MANY PLACES WALKABLE THAT PEOPLE DO JUMP AROUND FOR SURE. THE LATEST SALES TAX DATA AVAILABLE IS FROM APRIL, AND IT SHOWS THE CITY OF OKC. SALES TAX REVENUE IS DOWN ABOUT $3.2 MILLION LESS THAN IT WAS IN APRIL OF 2020 FOR SALES TAXES FROM HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS ARE DOWN ABOUT $1 MILLION IN THAT SAME TIME FRAME. SO THE OKC CHAMBER SAYS THE THUNDER’S DEEP PLAYOFF RUN COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A BETTER TIME, GIVEN, YOU KNOW, THE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE, THE INTERNATIONAL LANDSCAPE, HAVING HAVING THE THUNDER EXCELLING RIGHT NOW REALLY IS CRITICAL FOR FOR ALL OF OUR DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES. THE CHAMBER SAYS THE IMPACT OF THE THUNDER ON HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS IS UNDENIABLE, BUT THERE’S A RIPPLE EFFECT OUTSIDE OF THAT, THE GROCERY STORES THAT ARE HELPING SUPPORT THE WATCH PARTIES, TO THE RESTAURANTS THAT ARE BEING CALLED IN FOR CATERING ORDERS, TO EVEN RESTAURANTS HOSTING WATCH PARTIES FOR COMPANIES AND OTHERS. THE THUNDER ARE VERY PROACTIVE COMMUNITY PARTNER, AND THEY ENJOY THAT OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH AREA BUSINESSES AS WELL. AND YOU THUNDER FANS ALREADY KNOW. BUT GAME FIVE WILL BE BACK HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY TOMORROW NIGHT AGAINST MINNESOT
Oklahoma City Thunder’s playoff run brings increased revenue to downtown businesses
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s playoff success is driving increased revenue for downtown businesses, providing a much-needed boost amid declining sales tax revenues.
Updated: 10:08 PM CDT May 27, 2025
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s playoff run is bringing increased revenue to downtown businesses, providing a much-needed boost as Oklahoma City’s sales tax revenues decline.The latest sales tax data from April shows Oklahoma City’s sales tax revenue is down by about $3.2 million compared to April 2024. Sales taxes from hotels and restaurants have decreased by approximately $1 million during the same period. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber believes the Thunder’s deep playoff run is crucial for local businesses.”Given the national landscape and the international landscape, having the Thunder excelling right now really is critical right now for all of our downtown businesses.” Christy Gillenwater, president and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, said. >> Video Below: Thunder fan transforms lawn into tribute as OKC team plays in Western Conference FinalsGillenwater highlighted the Thunder’s impact on hotels and restaurants, noting a ripple effect that extends beyond these sectors. “The grocery stores that are helping support the watch parties to the restaurants that are being called in for catering orders, and even restaurants hosting watch parties for companies and others,” Gillenwater said. “The Thunder are a very proactive community partner, and they enjoy that opportunity to partner with local businesses, as well.”Fans often make Thunder game nights a lengthy event, staying at bars like McNellie’s, as Midtown remains a popular spot for Thunder enthusiasts. “When we have home games, it’s not as crazy, but when the away games, especially big games happen, we get pretty packed out,” Kaytlin Pelland, an employee at McNellie’s Pub in Midtown, said.Pelland, who has worked at the pub for about five years, noticed the difference in business when the Thunder are in season, especially on game nights. “I would say it stays pretty busy the whole time it’s going on,” she said. “I feel like once people are sat for a game, especially for a big game, they stay sat. But I will say, there’s so many places that are walkable that people do jump around for sure.” Game 5 of the series with Minnesota will be back in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.More Thunder HeadlinesThunder Playoffs Guide: From tickets to schedule and more, everything you need to know about the Western Conference FinalsHow to get tickets to the Western Conference FinalsWhere to cheer on Thunder during Western Conference FinalsThunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVPThunder’s Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams named to NBA All-Defensive teamsMerchandise now available celebrating Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVPMayor Holt proclaims May 22 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Day in OKCThunder to open Paycom Center for Loud City Live during Western Conference Finals road games
OKLAHOMA CITY —
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s playoff run is bringing increased revenue to downtown businesses, providing a much-needed boost as Oklahoma City’s sales tax revenues decline.
The latest sales tax data from April shows Oklahoma City’s sales tax revenue is down by about $3.2 million compared to April 2024. Sales taxes from hotels and restaurants have decreased by approximately $1 million during the same period.
The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber believes the Thunder’s deep playoff run is crucial for local businesses.
“Given the national landscape and the international landscape, having the Thunder excelling right now really is critical right now for all of our downtown businesses.” Christy Gillenwater, president and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, said.
>> Video Below: Thunder fan transforms lawn into tribute as OKC team plays in Western Conference Finals
Gillenwater highlighted the Thunder’s impact on hotels and restaurants, noting a ripple effect that extends beyond these sectors.
“The grocery stores that are helping support the watch parties to the restaurants that are being called in for catering orders, and even restaurants hosting watch parties for companies and others,” Gillenwater said. “The Thunder are a very proactive community partner, and they enjoy that opportunity to partner with local businesses, as well.”
Fans often make Thunder game nights a lengthy event, staying at bars like McNellie’s, as Midtown remains a popular spot for Thunder enthusiasts.
“When we have home games, it’s not as crazy, but when the away games, especially big games happen, we get pretty packed out,” Kaytlin Pelland, an employee at McNellie’s Pub in Midtown, said.
Pelland, who has worked at the pub for about five years, noticed the difference in business when the Thunder are in season, especially on game nights.
“I would say it stays pretty busy the whole time it’s going on,” she said. “I feel like once people are sat for a game, especially for a big game, they stay sat. But I will say, there’s so many places that are walkable that people do jump around for sure.”
Game 5 of the series with Minnesota will be back in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.
More Thunder Headlines