The “longstanding beef” between the zoo stems from an incident that occurred back in 2018.
SAN ANTONIO — It’s not just the Spurs vs. Thunder – it’s now zoo vs. zoo, with San Antonio and Oklahoma City turning a playoff matchup into a full-on challenge.
San Antonio Zoo President & CEO Tim Morrow issued a social media challenge to the Oklahoma City Zoo. Their CEO, Dwight Lawson happily accepted.
For the challenge, the series losing city’s zoo must fly the opposing team’s flag for an entire day. After the Spurs secured Game 1 on May 18, San Antonio Zoo seems to be enjoying an early lead in the showdown.
The “longstanding beef” between the zoo stems from an incident that occurred back in 2018. After the Spurs’ first dynasty was coming to a close, three African wild dogs were sent from Oklahoma City Zoo to San Antonio Zoo, and one of the wild dogs was named “Thunder,” and local zoo officials took it personal.
“This was an obvious, premeditated, calculated, and flagrant foul committed by Oklahoma City Zoo against us,” Morrow said in a press release. “Just like Wemby and Chet, we have some longstanding beef too, we never forgot, and we’ve been patiently waiting years for payback!”
Local zoo officials said as the Western Conference Finals continue, San Antonio Zoo is proudly standing behind Wemby and the Spurs.
Every night, San Antonians can see Spurs colors lighting up the zoo’s parking garage and front entrance. A Spurs flag is also flying proudly at the zoo’s main entrance, and hoping it continues to stay up.