NORMAN — Debates over whether to build a new OU basketball arena, renovate the nearly 49-year-old Lloyd Noble Center or where to site a new structure aren’t new.

But what OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. did Tuesday is reminiscent of a professional sports owner threatening relocation.

His comments shed light on the current landscape of collegiate athletics, which seems to value profit over tradition and convenience.

Harroz Jr.’s comments Tuesday to OU Daily about pursuing other cities in Oklahoma as potential alternatives to the proposed $1 billion entertainment district in the city’s University North Park area sparked outrage on social media.

The district, nearly four miles from OU’s football stadium, would contain a multi-purpose venue that would house the Sooners’ basketball teams, as well as their women’s gymnastics squad.

“I’m very hopeful and do everything I can to keep it here in Norman,” Harroz told OU Daily. “But if this isn’t approved by the city council for whatever reason, then we’re going to be looking at other (cities), Oklahoma City, Moore, surrounding areas and figure out where is there a group that wants to do this.”

More: Why Peyton Bowen 'wasn’t bummed' Billy Bowman is back in OU football secondary

OU President Joseph Harroz's comments not 'particularly helpful'

Norman Ward 7 Councilmember Stephen Tyler Holman, who says councilmembers have been waiting months for a final proposal, was surprised by Harroz’s proposition.

“I don’t find it particularly helpful in moving forward,” Holman told The Oklahoman on Wednesday. “That typically isn’t the best way (to get things done). To say, ‘approve this or else.’ Especially, ‘if you don’t approve it for whatever reason, we’ll go somewhere else.’”

For years, the university and the city of Norman have deliberated about a new arena, including in 2017, when the OU Foundation sought to develop land along I-35 between Robinson Street and Tecumseh Road, which ultimately didn’t materialize.

When Team Norman and city leaders announced plans for a $1 billion entertainment district last September, however, there was a renewed sense of optimism throughout the university and the city. But as subsequent discussions have been postponed from the city’s planning commission three times since December, ambiguity mounted.

While there has been a hold up in the process, Holman didn’t expect any other locations being brought up.

“You talk about 100-plus years of partnership between the city of Norman and OU,” Holman said. “I don’t think Moore has ever had any partnership with OU so I doubt Goldsby or Washington or any of them have either.”

More: Relive OU softball's run to three straight WCWS titles with our 'Crimson Empire' book

How social media reacted to OU president's comments

The tactic is one professional sports owners frequently use to acquire funding for a new arena or stadium or to receive votes. Voters in Jackson County, Missouri, rejected a public funding proposal for Kansas City’s NFL and MLB teams on Tuesday night after both teams said they would explore leaving the city.

“It kind of feels like when the owner of the (Oklahoma City Thunder) and other sports teams are like, “if you don’t do this, we’re going to move,” Holman said.

Fans flooded social media following the publishing of OU Daily’s story with concern. How could a university’s basketball team be based in a city separate from the university itself?

One X user joked that the university should call the arena “The Slaughterville Dome.” Others joked that Seattle should steal the Sooners away to get revenge for Oklahoma City taking the SuperSonics.

Examples around the country include UCLA football, which plays its home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California over 24 miles from the Bruins’ campus in Los Angeles, UConn’s football team, which plays over 21 miles away and Seton Hall’s basketball team, which plays nearly five miles away from its campus and shares an arena with the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. But the idea of the Sooners playing hoops outside of Norman didn’t sit well with fans.

More: Why Kyson Witherspoon has been OU baseball's bright spot in Sooners' recent struggles

“The idea of a university going to play their sports in a different town than where the university is located is very odd to me,” Holman said. “It kind of goes against everything I've always known about collegiate athletics and university stuff. The whole part of it is the university pride, right? And if you're playing in a stadium or a basketball arena that's nowhere near the campus, then people coming to visit don't see the campus.

“All they see is the arena and a parking lot and a bunch of bars and restaurants, which is what they would see anywhere.”

While Norman City Council awaits a final proposal, questions remain from Holman. The university has said it would only be occupying the venue 29% of the year. What about the other 71%? He’s also concerned about the possibility of the city and county committing 100% of sales and property taxes for 25 years in order to finance it without a public vote.

The proposal will need to pass through city council.

But, again, the city council has yet to see a final proposal and is awaiting the Norman Planning Commission’s next meeting on April 11.

“It stood out to me because we’ve been working well together and we’re not the ones who’ve been postponing anything for the last three months,” Holman said. “So I think we were all taken aback a little bit seeing those comments from the president when they haven’t put forward the proposal.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU's Joseph Harroz Jr. suggests proposed arena could leave Norman