CLAYTON I. BENNETT, CHAIRMAN OF THE NBA THUNDER, HONORED AT CEREMONY

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Today, the magazine of Oklahoma since 1956, honored chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Clayton I. Bennett, today at the Oklahoma History Center in a public ceremony featuring Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. The two officials were on hand to bestow the magazine’s award to the lifelong Oklahoma City native. The feature story on Bennett, Oklahoman of the Year for 2008, appears in the magazine’s January/February 2009 issue.

            “I want to thank the city of Oklahoma City,” said Bennett at the ceremony, attended by about 250 people. “Most important, I want to thank the citizens of Oklahoma City. They get it. They believe in improving their city.”

          Bennett, founder of the private investment firm, Dorchester Capital, is widely considered the chief player in bringing the NBA to Oklahoma. He leads a group of investors, all from Oklahoma City, who form Professional Basketball Club, LLC. The team played its first Oklahoma City game on October 29, 2008, after relocating from Seattle. Today, the team plays at the Ford Center in downtown Oklahoma City.

            “I don’t think there are many people who give more or want to be remembered for it less than Clay Bennett,” said Mayor Cornett at the ceremony. “I’ve never found it hard to align myself with Clay. He’s on the side of right time and time again.”

            Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department Executive Director Hardy Watkins, Oklahoma Today Publisher Joan Henderson, and Oklahoma Today Editor-in-Chief Louisa McCune-Elmore also spoke at the event. Dan Mahoney, vice president of public relations and community relations for the Thunder, announced a generous donation to the State of Oklahoma, a collection of items including game-worn team jerseys and shoes to be displayed at the Oklahoma History Center.

            “We believe in the team,” said Bennett. “We believe in community, in doing the right thing. And we will continue to build an elite, competitive franchise.”

            “Bringing an NBA franchise to Oklahoma is one of the most exciting things in my lifetime,” said Governor Henry at the ceremony. “Without Clay Bennett, it wouldn’t have happened.”

Media Contacts: Joan Henderson, publisher, at (405) 230-8450, joan@oklahomatoday.com; Louisa McCune-Elmore, editor in chief, at (405) 306-5939, mccune@oklahomatoday.com  

 

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