These were $200 per ticket “Stage VIP, all access” passes that included entry into the Thunder player section, a meet-and-greet and champagne toast opportunities with Kevin Durant himself.
But what was promised wasn’t delivered. Half of what was advertised on our ticket wasn’t offered at the event. There was no meet-and-greet, no access to the player section or toast with Durant. I’m not writing this to insult Durant; he has shown great integrity in his work around the city. I write this on the chance that he or his party promoter, Evan Hopkins, wasn’t aware of these details — then perhaps their next event can be structured in a more authentic way. Instead, ticketholders spent $200 for an open bar (with a 30-minute line, due to no differentiation between the exclusive stage VIP and other VIP patrons who paid $75 per ticket), a coat check and a special place to stand, which had been moved to behind the DJ.
When my husband and I tried to enter the player section, we got stopped. We were told they changed the setup because there were million-dollar athletes who, if someone bumped them the wrong way, could be out for the season.
The players didn’t show up until closer to 1 a.m., and staff began to shut down the party at 1:45 a.m. Players eventually made their way up to their section with entourages and a large pack of people — most were not the people with $200 tickets.
The food was gone by 10 p.m., although it advertised a mini buffet/ passed hors d’oeuvres being available until 2 a.m.
The truth is, our party spent $800 for a party that didn’t deliver what it advertised. The party was a flop for those who shelled out the most to be there, including some of Durant’s biggest fans.
— Jennifer May
Oklahoma City
Legalize it
The FDA is conspiring with the pharmaceutical industry for their profit at the risk of all Americans. The FDA knows that marijuana is a miracle plant that should be on the food list, not on the drug list, and certainly not Schedule 3.
Is it because the pharmaceutical industry makes so much money off of it?
Does anyone know how to make them stop this conspiracy?
People are dying every day, and children are getting raped every day because of the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry.
Shame on them.
— Jeannie Yarger
Edmond
Correction: Contrary to wording in our story entitled “Another Covention Center?” appearing at page 11 of the January 8 issue, Oklahoma City and Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce representatives publicly discussed a cenvention center hotel prior to the December 2009 MAPS 3 vote.
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This article appears in Jan 8-14, 2014.