Sports entertainment district coming to OKC; Russell Westbrook named creative director

A new sports-driven entertainment district is coming to Oklahoma City, and a former Thunder legend will be one of the visionaries behind the project. "OKC is a sports city. We've got the Thunder. We've got the College World Series. We've got Riversport and so many other things. But now, we're not just a sports city. We are a soccer city," said Court Jeske, president of Echo Soccer. Professional soccer will soon join the ranks of Oklahoma City's elite sports teams, with a new stadium and a new entertainment district. On Wednesday, Echo Investment Capital announced the 50-acre development located in southeast Oklahoma City, just south of the Harkins Theatre in Bricktown. >> Video Below: OKC marks location of new professional soccer stadiumPopulous, the master architect of the project, said the space will be the missing puzzle piece in Oklahoma City. “We really see this as completing that downtown," said Phil Kolbo with Populous. "It’s really that missing piece that connects Riversport back to the Convention Center up to the Thunder arena and then into Bricktown." The vision for the district is a vibrant, walkable entertainment district at the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. "I think it's important for us to understand what we want to use that stadium for women's and men's soccer. But also, it can be a home for high school sports, football or soccer, let's say. Also, when you put 8,000 people on the field, it can become the largest concert venue in the state," Jeske said. >> Video Below: Russell Westbrook teams up with Echo to bring pro soccer back to OKCNBA superstar and former Oklahoma City Thunder player Russell Westbrook was named creative director of the entertainment district. Jeske said Westbrook's worldly experience and creative talents will add style to the space."He is truly invested in this project, and he's truly invested in Oklahoma City. He wants to apply his talents for art, design and style work with the globally renowned architects at Populous and ultimately, make Oklahoma City a better place, and not only make it a better place, but use his international clout to share that message," Jeske said. Top Headlines TIMELINE: Storms with hail and low tornado risk possible in Oklahoma late Wednesday OHP: Oklahoma teenager dies in ATV crash on county road VIDEO: A family's missing French bulldog found 1,000 miles away in Chicago The best mattresses for every type of sleeper Crash involving semi-trailer shuts down southbound I-35 near Goldsby