Rate Hike Puts Oklahoma Inner-City Football League In Jeopardy

The future of an inner-city youth football league in Oklahoma City is in jeopardy. 

That's according to the league co-director, Charles Thompson, who says a rate increase by the city will cost them playing time on the field. 

For more than 20 years, Thompson’s Oklahoma Inner City Youth League teams have played on the fields at Woodson Park in southwest Oklahoma City.

“You want to talk about Trae Young, the NBA player, he's played here. My sons, Kendal and Casey Thompson, they played out here, Timothy Flanders,” said Charlie Thompson.

These well-known athletes are among thousands of kids who have played football for the league.

“These grounds right here, they learned how to put their first set of shoulder pads,” Thompson said. 

The league was moved temporarily while renovations continue at Woodson Park, paid for through the city’s MAPS program. However, Thompson worries he won’t be able to come back due to an increase in his contract with the city.

“That pricing is simply an attempt to price us out to where we can't use this any longer or bully us out or pester us out whatever you call it to where we have to move primarily to the east side of Oklahoma City,” Thompson said.

He voiced his concerns during Tuesday’s city council meeting, along with parents and coaches. 

“The pricing structure is going to basically destroy our league,” said Todd Noel, a coach with the league. “I don’t do this for the money nor does Charles Thompson, but we do it with a passion for youth sports.”

According to the city’s parks and recreation department, Thompson is welcome to use the multi-sports facility once it’s completed, but no longer at the legacy rate he has had for years. However, due to his contributions to the community, the department offered him a rate 50 percent off the council rate. Thompson says that the rate is still too high.

“I have what they call ‘football grit’ so I’m gonna keep fighting,” Thompson said. “Like I say in a football game, it's not over til it's over and there's still time on the clock so I’m not factoring in if they don't, they're gonna have to. We're gonna figure out some way and I’m gonna keep fighting until they do.”

Thompson said he’s making plans to talk to the mayor and city council members to try to come to some resolution.