UPDATE: Statement from the Thunder says that is not true. Thunder Alley won’t be shut down, but the watch party might be.
“We are working with the City and the Police Dept to look at ways to control crowds and ensure safety.
We are strongly considering eliminating the watch party, but Thunder Alley, the pregame party on Reno, will continue as normal. Ch 9′s report is inaccurate.”
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Thunder Alley is no more, according to the mayor of Oklahoma City.
Mayor Mick Cornett says while he supports the idea of “Thunder Alley,” he has decided to end the event following the shooting in Bricktown Monday night.
Cornett made the decision after talking it over with the city manager and the chief of Oklahoma City Police.
Cornett also says he hopes to create an alternative way for fans without tickets to get involved, however, no details on that have been released yet.
I think a great alternative to Thunder Alley would be to put the watch party inside of the Bricktown ballpark. They can set up metal detectors and restrict alchohol. I haven't been inside for a long time but I'm sure there's room to set up the kids zone and all that stuff. Would probably be even better for all the restaurants in Bricktown. There's already a bigscreen setup and it could seat just as many people as Thunder Alley.
@thunder_mike but redhawks might play the same night as thunder play during game 3 and game 4 and if that is the case that won't work at all
@thunder_mike yep Redhawks plays the same night as we play during Game 3 and 4
@thunder_mike
That's a pretty good idea. The pregame daylight experience could remain in Thunder Alley, then the watch party could shift to the ballpark. It would be easier to control and monetize, providing incentive to maintain security. There would be some blowback from people who want a completely free alternative, but safety might not allow it.
save thunder alley
https://www.facebook.com/groups/410239955665090/
maybe we could get that hot chick that tried to save the sharks in bricktown in on this
An idea for anyone interested in preserving the Thunder Alley experience . . . send the Thunder office an email expressing your support/suggestions. They're pretty good to read and respond.
http://www.nba.com/thunder/contact.html
reacting out of fear is ridiculous. The shooting had nothing to do with the thunder or thunder alley. Its not like we are going around gunning down laker fans. meh.
they are acting out of fear and when you do that the terrorists win. just charge the guy with federal terrorism charges, and lock him up for life.
The incident last night wasn't because of the game or Thunder Alley or the watch party. Police and witnesses say the altercation had nothing to do with any of it, but that the timing of it just happened to be when the game let out.
@mb22 The major reason I stopped going to Bricktown was that drunkin idiots wanting to fight was an almost guarantee. The thing is that they never get anywhere because the city knows this and has a heavy police presence. So the only way I see the shooting as a result of Thunder Alley is because the police were busy dealing with crowds instead of babysitting 21-22 year olds.
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT (out at the ballpark)!!!!
Ridiculous. Add more security and an actual defined boundary for Thunder Alley and don't allow alcoholic beverages. It's a shame, I really wanted to go.
Thunder Alley was born with carnival games and pre-game fun.
Thunder Alley was made by the people of Oklahoma City.
Peaceful protest is the only thing that will give it back for these very special playoffs.
If you want Thunder Alley, prove to the city planners that a peaceful gathering is possible, because this decision is self-preserving & political.
When you got the time, go on down to Thunder Alley this week. Sport your gear. And tell this city to do something; rather than the city telling Thunder Fans what it can't do.
Thunder Alley has been around for years... the kids activities... the reward zone... even the watch party was around last year but with smaller bleachers and smaller screens that had to be trucked in. Only the jumbotron on the side of the arena is new. If the watch party is growing faster than they control it then yes, they should pump the brakes before something worse happens than a random shooting in a crowded bricktown... but cancelling it outright is ridiculous... With the incident from the other night the crowd might thin out on its own.
Of course they'll cancel the part that everyone actually cares about.