The new home of the Tulsa Drillers is ONEOK Field, as the energy-distribution firm and its charitable arm buy naming rights for $5 million over 20 years.
The new home of the Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) is ONEOK Field, as the energy-distribution firm and its charitable arm buy naming rights for $5 million over 20 years.
“With this investment, we are reinforcing our strong commitment to Tulsa and its downtown,” said John W. Gibson, chief executive officer of ONEOK. “A vibrant downtown is key to our ability to attract and retain the employees we need today and in the future to continue our company’s success. Last year, we acquired ONEOK Plaza, our downtown office building, and now, with the new baseball field, we can help with the continued redevelopment of downtown Tulsa and the revitalization of the historic Greenwood District."
ONEOK is a major employer in Tulsa; its headquarters has been located in downtown Tulsa in one form or another since 1926.
The $60-million downtown redevelopment project is funded by $30 million in donations, $25 million in a downtown assessment tax and $5 million from the Drillers. The $39-million ballpark is slated to open in April 2010.