OKC Thunder Blog – Page 104 – NBA Blog

Thunder have new operations director

The Oklahoma City Thunder promoted longtime employee Marc St. Yves, it was announced today by the team’s General Manager Sam Presti. St. Yves, entering his 30th year with the franchise, will assume the role of Director of Team Operations for the Thunder.

“We are pleased to reward Marc for his years of service for our team and in the NBA,” Presti said. “He is an invaluable part of the operation we are building in Oklahoma City and expect him to further enhance our organization with his professionalism and diligence.”

In his new role St. Yves will oversee all of the day-to-day team operations including facilities, equipment, travel and logistics for all team functions.

St. Yves previously held the position of Equipment Manager for the club, a title he had held since 1985. The Seattle native began his association with the franchise as a 13 year-old ball boy during the team’s 1979-80 season.

Oklahoma City Thunder store opens

At 5 p.m. Wednesday, the NBA franchise in Oklahoma City was officially named Thunder at a name and logo unveiling event in downtown Oklahoma City. At 5:15, the Thundershop was opened on the ground floor of the Leadership Square building and more than 1,000 fans made their way through the front doors.

Team officials say approximately 1,500 fans attended today’s name and logo unveiling event with the majority of them making their way to the Thundershop. Fans waited several hours to purchase Thunder merchandise, and each customer averaged at least two items per purchase.

“We were impressed with the great response from the fans in Oklahoma City,” said team spokesman Dan Mahoney. “We had customers lined up for several hundred feet outside the Thundershop. We appreciate everyone’s response to today’s announcement.”

Following the event, Thunder players Desmond Mason and Damien Wilkins joined the festivities in the Thundershop. Both purchased Thunder merchandise, while Wilkins helped out some of the fans by bagging their items.

The ThunderShop will be open on the lobby level of Leadership Square from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

It`s official: Oklahoma City Thunder

The Seattle Sonics are now officially the Oklahoma City Thunder. The name was finally confirmed by the team and announced Wednesday at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. The team’s logo was also revealed, and it did turn out to be the same one that spread around the internet a few days ago in a photo on a mini-basketball in plastic-wrap.

Hit the front page of insidehoops.com to see the logo, though I had to edit the surroundings and did a lousy job of that, so don’t blame the team for the white spaces at the bottoms. But, aside from that, there’s the logo.

I’m now posting two polls, asking if fans like the name, and if they like the logo. Hit insidehoops in a few minutes, and scroll down until you see the polls. Then, vote. Tell your friends to do the same.

I personally think ‘Thunder” is a decent name. It’s powerful. And it’ll grow on fans, the same way the Heat name and other names always do over time.

— Jeff