Federal Aviation Authority Prevents Drones Ahead of NBA Finals Game 7
The Skies Above Oklahoma City's Paycom Center Are off-limits
Listen up, drone enthusiasts! Get your fix of aerial photography elsewhere, because this Friday, from 5 p.m. to midnight, a temporary flight restriction (TFR) will be in effect around Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. This isn't just a casual no-fly zone, folks—it's one of the security measures put in place for Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
These precautions come in the wake of the United States Air Force and Navy bombing nuclear sites in Iran this past weekend, with Iran promise of retaliation. The heightened threat environment in the U.S. has led to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Terrorism Advisory System issuing a bulletin on Sunday.
So, what does this TFR mean for you and your beloved drones? Well, if you've got a quadcopter or model aircraft, you'll want to keep it on the ground within a half-nautical mile radius of Paycom Center. The restriction applies from the surface up to, and including, 400 feet above ground level. There are a few exceptions, however. Unmanned aircraft systems operated by the Department of Homeland Security, police, firefighters, and commercial operators who obtain an airspace waiver are still allowed to fly. For the rest of us, violating the TFR could lead to some pretty nasty consequences, like revocations of licenses, stiff fines, and even criminal charges.
Remember Alexis Perez Suarez, who flew a drone over Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium during an AFC Wild Card game earlier this year? He learned the hard way that capturing that perfect shot isn't worth the trouble. Suarez was charged with operating a drone without a license and willfully violating U.S. National Defense Airspace. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to one year of probation, 100 hours of community service, and a $500 fine.
The Federal Aviation Administration isn't playing around when it comes to securing airspace above stadiums—it's a regular practice to restrict drone flights above venues like stadiums, ballparks, and racetracks. And don't forget about all those rules governing where and how drones can interact with airspace and aircraft.
With drone incursions into restricted airspace happening more frequently, it's no surprise that the FAA is cracking down. Just this year, Science and Technology publication The Debrief reported a 25.6% increase in illegal drone incursions near U.S. airports from January to March 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. In light of national security concerns connected to U.S. military operations abroad, incidents like these could become more worrisome.
Even spontaneous celebrations can lead to drone disasters. Last October, two people in Boston got hurt when a drone hit a light pole and crashed during a Boston Celtics opening night watch party at City Hall Plaza.
So, there you have it. Enjoy the basketball game from the safety of the ground, and maybe splurge on a ticket to enjoy the action up close instead of trying to capture it from the air. After all, as noted by FBI acting special agent in charge Amanda M. Koldjeski, flying a drone over a major sporting event is not just irresponsible and reckless, but also illegal.
- People who enjoy sports betting might want to focus on analyzing statistics rather than attempting to capture footage of the NBA Finals game between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, as drone flights are restricted around Paycom Center.
- On a general-news note, the sports world is just one of many sectors affected by the heightened threat environment in the U.S., following the U.S. Air Force and Navy's bombing of nuclear sites in Iran.
- Incriminating incidents like Alexis Perez Suarez's drone flight over Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium during a sports event have led to stricter regulations in sports-related crime-and-justice cases, further emphasizing the importance of adhering to sports-related drone restrictions.
