Country music icon Garth Brooks has stunned both fans and sports insiders by becoming the new majority owner of the Tulsa Oilers, an ECHL minor league hockey team. The announcement was made during a spirited press conference at the BOK Center, where Brooks appeared in a custom Oilers jersey labeled “The Thunder Rolls” and cracked jokes while swinging a hockey stick. “Y’all thought I retired from touring? Now I’m bringing the same energy to the boards—this ain’t my first rodeo, but it’s my first hat trick!” he quipped.
Brooks is now Oklahoma’s first celebrity sports team owner, and he’s already laid out ambitious—and quirky—plans for the franchise. These include hosting “Garth Night” games with live concerts on the ice, unveiling a new armadillo mascot named Billy the Puck, and sneaking hidden lyrics from Friends in Low Places into the team’s jersey stitching. Fans can expect hockey with a country twist.
The hockey world quickly chimed in. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman welcomed Brooks into the “hockey family,” while fellow country star Carrie Underwood joked online about needing to buy a team of her own to keep up. Oilers captain Adam Pleskach admitted he was shocked at Brooks’ slapshot during practice, joking that years of guitar playing had clearly given him surprising wrist strength.
Brooks’ first official move as owner was renaming the penalty box the “Low Places Lounge,” complete with his signature whiskey. “We may not win the Cup,” he laughed, “but we’ll be the only team where the Zamboni driver doubles as a backup singer.” The newly rebranded Oilers hit the ice this October, with Brooks vowing to lead the crowd in We Will Rock You for every power play.
