Paycom Center tops list of burial wishes for Oklahoma sports fans

Where would you like your ashes scattered?

Many Oklahomans would choose to stay with their favorite sports team for eternity, quite literally following their passion to the grave.

According to a survey by SportsbookReview.com in which 3,013 sports fans questioned, 26% said that emotional memories drove their choice, 25% due to lifelong support for the team, 19% because it would be meaningful to their surviving loved ones, 17% for feeling like the arena or stadium is a second home and 13% because the team represents part of their identity.

And yes, even if it wasn't allowed, some fans said they would be willing to bend the rules.

So where would most Oklahoma sports fans choose to spend their afterlife? The home of the 2025 NBA Champions.

Paycom Center, Oklahoma City

The Paycom Center, home of the Oklahoma City Thunder, tops the list of where Oklahoma sports fans would choose to scatter their remains.

Oklahoma City had never truly had a professional sports team to call its own before the Thunder moved to the city in 2008, and since then, with the team's success continuously on the rise, the passion has only grown. The arena has become one of the loudest arenas in the NBA, giving the team one of the best home-court advantages in the league.

The bond between the team and the local community is deeper than many historic franchises, and the team does a hard thing: it brings OU and OSU fans together.

Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman

Speaking of OU and OSU, it's no surprise that the next place on this list would be the homes of the Sooners and Cowboys football teams.

The No. 2 spot where Oklahoma sports fans want to spread their ashes is in Norman.

The chants of "Boomer Sooner" travel all around the state, but nowhere as loud as on a college football Saturday at Gaylord Family Stadium in Norman. Seven national championships and 50 conference titles have been celebrated on the field, making OU the most decorated among current Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

For many, the Sooner pride is instilled from birth and will last long after death.

Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater

Opposing the Sooner faithful in Norman is the Cowboy faithful in Stillwater.

Boone Pickens Stadium came in at the No. 3 spot on SportsbookReview.com's survey of Oklahoma sports fans.

Through the good and the bad, Oklahoma State fans have been devoted to their team, and nowhere better to solidify that bond for life than Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. Since its renovation in 2003, the stadium is one of the finest in the Big 12.

Boone Pickens Stadium was named after legendary oilman and Oklahoma State benefactor Boone Pickens. It was officially renamed in 2003 and rededicated in 2009. It is one of the largest facilities in the conference, hosting up to 60,000 fans.

Isa Almeida is a trending reporter for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Isa? She can be reached at ialmeida@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @ialmeidasports. Support Isa's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Many Oklahomans would choose to scatter their ashes at Paycom Center