Expand Energy Corporation has announced plans to relocate its headquarters from OKlahoma City to Houston, Texas, later this year.

The move comes a week after the Devon Energy Corporation announced its plan to move to Houston last week as part of a merger with Coterra Energy. In late 2025, part of the Expand Energy corporate campus in northwest Oklahoma City was acquired by Oklahoma City-based real estate firm Robinson Park for a future redevelopment project.

Devon Energy and Coterra Energy say the all-stock merger will strengthen their Delaware Basin footprint and drive long-term per-share growth.

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February 2, 2026 08:12 AM

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Expand Energy Corporation, formerly known as Chesapeake Energy, says the relocation will primarily focus on the executive leadership team and will strengthen the company’s relationships with “key industry and commercial partners.”

The company says Oklahoma City will remain a center of Expand’s business and operations, with the company saying it “remains committed to supporting its Oklahoma City employees and the local community.”

In addition to the relocation, Expand says it has also announced leadership changes, effective immediately. Michael Wichterich, Chairman of the Board, has been appointed Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Domenic J. Dell’Osso, Jr. According to EEC, Dell’Osso stepped down as a director of the Board and will serve as an external advisor for a period of time to ensure a smooth transition.

Expand says its board of directors has commenced a search for a permanent CEO with the assistance of an independent recruitment firm.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Nick for his leadership and many contributions since first joining the company in 2008,” Wichterich said. “During his tenure as CEO, the Company has grown from a $5 billion business to a $26 billion investment-grade enterprise included in the S&P 500 Index. We are grateful for his leadership in setting a strong foundation for our future.”

Oklahoma State was fined $50,000 following an investigation into inappropriate chants that referenced Mormons during a men’s basketball game against BYU last week, the Big 12 Conference announced Sunday.

After Oklahoma State defeated BYU 99-92, BYU head coach Kevin Young claimed he heard “F— the Mormons” chants coming from the student section.

“In accordance with the Big 12 Conference Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship, the Conference has issued Oklahoma State University a $50,000 fine following its investigation into inappropriate chants which referenced the Mormon religion that occurred during Wednesday’s men’s basketball game,” the statement said.

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“The Big 12 Conference will not tolerate any behavior that targets or demeans others.”

Oklahoma State said it will not appeal the fine in a statement.

“The reference to religion did not meet our standards and expectations,” the university said in a statement. “Oklahoma State respects the Big 12’s decision and will not appeal the fine.”

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It was at least the fourth time in a year that BYU teams have been the target of anti-Mormon chants. The Big 12 fined Colorado $50,000 in September after football fans directed expletives and religious slurs at Mormons during a game against the Cougars in Boulder.

Similar incidents occurred at an Arizona men’s basketball game last season and a Cincinnati football game in November. Neither school was fined.

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BYU athletic director Brian Santiago said they are trying to eliminate the derogatory chants.

“What we’re trying to do is eliminate the behavior from happening and the apologies that come afterward,” Santiago said Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Oklahoma City Thunder (40-13, first in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (32-19, fifth in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Monday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles hosts Oklahoma City looking to prolong its three-game home winning streak.

The Lakers are 21-12 in Western Conference games. Los Angeles is ninth in the Western Conference with 25.2 assists per game led by Luka Doncic averaging 8.6.

The Thunder are 30-9 against Western Conference opponents. Oklahoma City is the best team in the Western Conference allowing just 107.9 points per game while holding opponents to 43.3% shooting.

The Lakers make 49.9% of their shots from the field this season, which is 6.6 percentage points higher than the Thunder have allowed to their opponents (43.3%). The Thunder are shooting 48.7% from the field, 0.2% higher than the 48.5% the Lakers’ opponents have shot this season.

The two teams play for the second time this season. The Thunder defeated the Lakers 121-92 in their last meeting on Nov. 13. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 30 points, and Doncic led the Lakers with 19 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: LeBron James is averaging 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists for the Lakers. Rui Hachimura is averaging 12 points over the past 10 games.

Cason Wallace is averaging 8.2 points and 2.1 steals for the Thunder. Chet Holmgren is averaging 15.6 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 53.3% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 7-3, averaging 115.4 points, 41.9 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 51.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.2 points per game.

Thunder: 5-5, averaging 114.9 points, 42.6 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 9.1 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.5 points.

INJURIES: Lakers: Deandre Ayton: out (knee), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring), Adou Thiero: out (knee).

Thunder: Ajay Mitchell: out (abdominal), Nikola Topic: out (groin), Jalen Williams: out (hamstring), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: out (abdomen), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.