Concurrent resolution: recognizing the OKC Spark professional softball team and their contributions to professional sports in Oklahoma; recognizing Oklahoma City's designation as host for softball during the 2028 Olympic Games.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Boren and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma honors the OKC Spark and Oklahoma City’s 2028 Olympic softball role, highlighting women’s pro sports’ impact and the state’s sports profile.

Adopted, referred for engrossment

Purpose and intent

Recognizes the OKC Spark professional softball team and their contributions to professional sports in Oklahoma.

Praises the Spark’s participation in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL).

Acknowledges Oklahoma City’s designation as the host city for softball during the 2028 Olympic Games.

Highlights the leadership of Tina Floyd (founder/exec director), General Manager Kirk Walker, Head Coach Amber Flores, and notable athletes such as Kinzie Hansen and Sydney Sherrill.

Emphasizes the potential positive impact on Oklahoma’s sports economy, including women’s professional sports, tourism, and job creation.

Key provisions and changes

Formal recognition by both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature (Senate and House) of:

The OKC Spark’s success and contributions to professional sports in Oklahoma.
The team’s participation in the AUSL and its role in advancing women’s professional sports.
Oklahoma City’s designation as the 2028 Olympic softball host city.
The leadership and athletes associated with the Spark and their impact on the sport’s growth in the state.

Directs distribution of a copy of the concurrent resolution to the OKC Spark organization and to AUSL.

Who/what is affected

Direct beneficiaries of the recognition:

OKC Spark professional softball team.
AUSL (Athletes Unlimited Softball League) as the league with which the Spark competes.
Oklahoma City community and broader state economy through advocacy of women’s professional sports.

Individuals highlighted in the resolution (e.g., Tina Floyd, Kirk Walker, Amber Flores, Kinzie Hansen, Sydney Sherrill) receive formal recognition.

Oklahoma’s international sporting profile through the 2028 Olympics, with Patty Gasso (Oklahoma) noted as leading the Olympic softball team.

Procedural/timeline aspects

Introduced and filed in the 2nd Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature (2026).

Senate authors: Senator Boren (primary) and Senator Nice; House authors: Representative Gise (principal) and Representative Townley.

Legislative action history:

First Reading: April 14, 2026.
Referred to appropriate committees and calendar: April 14–16, 2026.
Adopted and referred for engrossment: April 16, 2026.

The bill is a concurrent resolution, not a statute, meaning it serves as a formal expression of legislative sentiment rather than creating new law or funding.

Overall impact

No appropriation or fiscal changes are specified.

Primarily ceremonial and symbolic in nature, aimed at:

Elevating visibility of the OKC Spark.
Supporting the expansion and perception of women’s professional sports in Oklahoma.
Highlighting Oklahoma City’s role in the 2028 Olympic softball event and enhancing the state’s national/international profile in sports.

If you’d like, I can compare SCR 21 to similar concurrent resolutions or provide a layperson’s brief explaining concurrent resolutions versus statutes.

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