Creek chief puts brake on naming rights deal revision

TULSA, Okla. – Live horse racing may be returning to Fair Meadows in 2013.

After unanimously voting to rescind two previously approved naming rights agreements with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation – both of which included provisions to end horse racing at the Tulsa track – the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority deferred action Wednesday afternoon on a new naming rights agreement with the Okmulgee, Okla.-based tribe at the request of Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief George Tiger.

“I ask that I have time to negotiate as well,” Tiger said. “I have people to answer to as well and need to discuss this with our national council.”

Under the previous agreements, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation would pay $1.4 million annually through 2019 for the naming rights to the Expo Center – currently known as the QuikTrip Center – as well as first right through 2015 to propose a use for the now-vacant Drillers Stadium.

The agreement introduced at Wednesday’s meeting calls for a three-year deal for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to pay the fairgrounds $140,000 a year, or $11,666 per month. It does not include the provisions about the empty ballpark or the end of live racing at Fair Meadows.

The authority’s naming rights agreement with QuikTrip, which expires Dec. 31, paid the county $20,000 per month.

In an additional step to resume live racing, the authority voted to rescind a letter sent to the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission on Nov. 28, relinquishing Fair Meadows’ licenses to hold live racing.

The commission will have a special meeting Monday to vote on the track’s licenses.