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PrintOKC businessmen Bill Cameron and David Box talk hoop dreams
Thanks to two Oklahoma City businessmen, Tulsa has become home to its own WNBA franchise. Here, they share their thoughts on the impact of Tulsa’s newest sports team.
After a summer spent drumming up support for a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team in Tulsa, Oklahoma City businessmen Bill Cameron and David Box are looking forward to the team’s debut this May under the direction of coach Nolan Richardson. The two lead investors of Tulsa Pro Hoops LLC partnered with a group of local financiers to secure the new team, formerly the Detroit Shock, a three-time championship franchise.
What spurred the idea to bring a WNBA team to Tulsa?
Bill Cameron: I developed a passion for women’s basketball watching my daughters play. Then, having been involved in the acquisition of the Thunder, I saw an opportunity to bring the best women’s basketball in the world to our state. Tulsa was the perfect fit.
David Box: When Bill came to me with this idea, it didn’t take long to convince me ... I’m 100 percent convinced this will be a success.
How did you develop interest among Tulsans in bringing a franchise to the community?
BC: By educating them about the WNBA. A lot of people weren’t familiar with the product we were trying to sell, so many were hesitant at first.
DB: We knew if we could just convince enough people, things would fall into place. Our goal was just to keep people informed about our efforts, and I think more and more people hopped on board as the deal got closer to being finalized.
Was developing interest among Tulsans an easy sell?
BC: I’m not going to say it was easy because people just didn’t know enough about it. When dealing with those circumstances, nothing comes easy. Was it overly difficult? No. Fortunately, we have a great group of Tulsa investors who helped us educate the marketplace.
DB: One person we have to give a lot of credit to is WNBA President Donna Orender. Watching and listening to her talk about the WNBA with community leaders was an inspiration.
What can citizens expect from Tulsa being home to a WNBA team, and how will the players impact the community?
BC: Tulsans can expect a group of young women who are dedicated to their community. You see it all over the league. These women get involved because they want to. They are so appreciative of their fans, and that will be evident once they arrive.
DB: Women haven’t always had the opportunity to play professional basketball, so they don’t take any one fan for granted.
Why was Nolan Richardson a good fit as coach?
BC: Nolan understands Tulsa. He coaches an exciting brand of basketball that people want to watch, and he has a very appealing personality. He also brings a wealth of knowledge to the table and he’s a proven commodity.
DB: Nolan gets the most out of his players. His “40 minutes of hell” coaching style is what Tulsans grew accustomed to back in the early ’80s, and now they get to see the sequel.
What do you hope for the first season of Tulsa’s newest sports franchise?
BC: I’m just looking forward to seeing these women compete. There is a lot of talent on this team and they know how to win. I expect they’ll be winners both on and off the court.
DB: I’m looking forward to seeing fans enjoying themselves. We want them to be entertained whether the clock is running or stopped. There is no better venue in which to do that than the BOK Center.
For a team roster and other news, visit www.wnba.com/tulsa.
