Continental Resources outbids Lost Ogle for new arena naming rights…

Once again, The Lost Ogle doesn’t get any respect.

Despite putting together a fair compensation package that included 10 free lifetime subscriptions to this website and an autographed Clark Matthews checkerboard, the Oklahoma City Thunder let us know this morning they are “going a different direction” and have reached a deal with Continental Resources for the new downtown arena naming rights.

Meet the Continental Coliseum:

That stinks. Just like the last time we finished second for the arena naming rights, I thought our proposal to place a 100-foot tall alabaster statue of Abigail Ogle wielding her sword "Late-breaking" on top of the arena would seal the deal, but I guess it didn't. Either way, I'm glad we submitted our pitch even if it finished second to a billion-dollar oil company. Scared money don't make money!

Here’s what Thunder chairman Clay Bennett had to say about the deal:

That’s weird. He didn’t mention the cost of the sponsorship or how much money he’s personally making off the deal. It’s almost like they want to ignore how strange and illogical it is for the naming rights of a publicly funded arena to go to the team that plays there, and not the people who built it. But, oh well, as long as the team is winning and stays here, who cares, right?

Anyway, I actually kind of like the name for the new arena!

First of all, it has nice alliteration. Continental Coliseum kind of clicks.

Second, unlike most arenas and stadiums, it’s not immediately obvious that it’s part of a naming rights deal. If anything, “Continental Coliseum” sounds like the name the arena had before the naming rights were awarded. That’s a rarity.

And third, people can just drop the “Continental” and call it “The Coliseum,” which feels timeless, dignified, and only slightly dramatic for a building that will primarily host basketball games, concerts, and $18 beers.

Here’s what Continental's Harold Hamm had to say about it:

We’re critical of Harold Hamm on this site, and how he uses his mega wealth, power and influence to advance a hardcore right-wing that prioritizes his business interests above those of the Oklahoma people, but kudos to him for opening up his wallet and, at the very least, preventing us from having to call the new arena the Love's Center or Hobby Lobby Hall for the next 15 years.

Let’s just hope Continental does a big rebrand before the new arena drops, otherwise their weird, dated teardrop oil logo will look ugly plastered all over the building and court.

Seriously, if you’re going to spend millions of dollars to get your name out there, at least make sure your logo and branding look the part, not like splashed-up clipart.

Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.