Oklahoma City woos displaced New Orleans Hornets

Saturday, September 10th 2005, 11:24 am

By: News On 6

NBA representatives toured the Ford Center in Oklahoma City and met with local officials Friday about the possibility of temporarily moving the displaced New Orleans Hornets to the city.

Mayor Mick Cornett said five NBA officials walked around the facility and discussed possible terms of a lease should the team decide to play its 41-game home schedule at the arena, which seats 19,675 for basketball.

Cornett said he thought the success of major league baseball exhibition games, plus the turnout at major concerts, provided evidence that Oklahoma City could support an NBA franchise. He said sales of tickets for college games at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State for similar prices also suggest the team would be marketable in Oklahoma City.

The Hornets are not expected to be able to open the season in New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.