Oklahoma City Thunder, OU Health Announce Innovative New Partnership

OKLAHOMA CITY, Wednesday, September 19, 2018 – The Oklahoma City Thunder and OU Health today announced a unique and innovative 10-year partnership in which OU Health becomes the official healthcare partner of the Thunder. Under the agreement, OU Health will join with the team on a number of organizational, medical and community initiatives. Thunder Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Danny Barth and OU Health President and CEO Chuck Spicer made the announcement.

“This is a dynamic and significant fusion of two of our state’s leaders in innovation and excellence. Going beyond the traditional and transactional sports partnerships, it’s a collaboration centered on research, technology, cross-learning and creative thinking,” Barth said. “It’s one of only a small handful of NBA healthcare partnerships forged within a university environment. Our two organizations share a focus on creating the optimal conditions for exceptional talent at all levels. We are excited to see what the next decade offers.”

As part of the agreement, OU Health will provide expertise and resources to help support the Thunder medical staff in creating elite conditions for player training, treatment and care. The two organizations will also work together on advocacy and public education to drive awareness on key health and wellness issues.

“As Oklahoma’s only comprehensive academic health system, OU Health is driven by excellence, innovation and forward thinking. A partnership with the Oklahoma City Thunder was not only a natural fit for us, but was an opportunity to merge two brands that value innovation, learning and trailblazing in our respective fields,” Spicer said. “Our organizations are both deeply committed to the state of Oklahoma and share a love of community. We believe that what we will do together will be powerful for this state and set a national example.

OU Health serves the state of Oklahoma and beyond with the widest range of specialty healthcare services in the region. With a combined effort from over 12,000 employees and physicians, research that drives tomorrow’s health professionals, OU Health is the state’s most comprehensive academic health system.

OU Health becomes one of the Thunder’s most prominent partners and will work closely with the Thunder organization on a number of community initiatives.