(Bee) Breton: Wary fans force Stern to go soft

[VF21]

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/78854.html

Marcos Bretón: Wary fans force Stern to go soft
By Marcós Breton - Bee Sports Columnist
Last Updated 12:20 am PST Friday, November 17, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1

NBA Commissioner David Stern is coming to Sacramento and not a moment too soon.

The Kings need a new arena after voters rejected a sales tax increase to build one, the region needs assurances the Kings are here to stay, and we all need this sordid, can't-get-a-deal-done saga to end.

Still, one wonders if Stern's stated desire to construct an arena project in Sacramento is like a doctor treating the symptom of a disease instead of the disease itself.

Don't get me wrong, it's great that Stern is coming here. It's even better he's dropped the veiled threats leveled at other cities, and says he wants to be a peacemaker between Kings owners and Sacramento officials in the acrimony following the failed arena campaign.

But diplomacy alone isn't going to cure the disease killing Sacramento's arena efforts. In fact, this is far more of an NBA problem than a Sacramento problem.

It's a problem with a league business model where one team -- the New York Knicks -- can pay $91 million to players and a coach not on the roster, still have the highest payroll in the NBA, put out a terrible product and still turn a profit.

Meanwhile, small-market teams such as the Kings fear they will bleed red if they exceed the league salary cap, and therefore feel forced to depend on public subsidies to build revenue-generating arenas to boost their bottom lines.

It's a problem where two Philadelphia 76ers stars, Chris Webber and Allen Iverson, earn more in salaries than the entire Charlotte Bobcats roster, according to a league salary analysis by the Dallas Morning News.

It's a problem where NBA ticket prices have swelled to keep pace with player salaries and left many fans stranded outside monied arenas.

According to the Chicago-based Team Marketing Report, the average NBA ticket last year was $45.92 -- eclipsed only by NFL tickets and far more expensive than Major League Baseball.

What does it all mean? In NBA cities without huge cable contracts such as New York's, an arena financed by taxpayers becomes a precious commodity for teams to raise revenues.

But there are two big problems with the NBA reaching into taxpayer pockets: New buildings haven't meant huge crowds for teams in Memphis, Tenn., and Charlotte, N.C.

And some cities, such as Seattle, just told the NBA to pay for its own new building or get out of town.

This is only a guess, but methinks this is why Stern is being the peacemaker commish in Sacramento rather than the warrior commish he's been elsewhere.

In the past, when cities refused to toe his line and help teams be more profitable with taxpayer-funded arenas, Stern was not averse to summoning thunderbolts to scare the sports-crazed masses into compliance.

Didn't work in Seattle. In fact, a month ago, Seattle City Council President Nick Licata told The Bee: "I think David Stern thought he was coming to Seattle to boost the Sonics' chances, and instead he undermined them.

"(Stern's) speech is generally the same ... 'If you guys don't acquiesce, we'll pull the team out of town,' although he never puts it in exactly those words."

Not here. Stern is going the other way. He wants to cool people down rather than fire them up. He refuses to give a timetable for a new Sacramento arena or an expiration date on Arco Arena.

It's the right strategy on a lot of levels, seemingly a recognition by the NBA that Sacramento is not Memphis or Charlotte -- taxpayer dollars are protected here by state laws as fierce as Ron Artest's defensive game.

And, as the commish rightly said, Sacramento is a jewel in the NBA crown, one that should be protected.

After all, Kings fans pay one of the most expensive tickets in the NBA, yet they fill their old barn unlike most NBA cities.

That's one of many questions behind the NBA's global expansion: the empty seats, the exorbitant ticket prices, the uneven revenues between teams, the ridiculous player salaries.

How will Stern solve all those problems behind Sacramento's arena dilemma?

It's the burden of being a genius.

About the writer: Reach Marcos Bretón at (916) 321-1096 or mbreton@sacbee.com

 

[JB_kings]

Once again the Bee columnists attack the messenger and not the message. Marcos may not be slamming Stern specifically, but he is calling out the NBA business and Stern is the face for that. We can have this debate about the business of all sports, but when are the Bee columnists going to address the fact that Arco Arena is mid-80's Hyundia that needs to be sent to the scrap yard. When can we start focusing on Sacramento's problems instead of finding excuses why our problems are caused by somebody else? Can we expect to see more slams at the NBA from RE Grawich three times a week as well?

 

[kupman]

No kidding JB.......the Bee just focuses on the b-ball portion of the issue. When are they going to stand-up and say "look Sacramento, if we do not figure out how to build a new arena, we will be the only city bigger than 100,000 in the nation to have absolutely no entertainment venue."

The Bee is a liability to this city IMHO.

 

[kennadog]

Actually, I agree with this, pretty much. I'm not saying that some public financing might not be necessary, but its clear the NBA needs to think about changing their economic model. Most small to mid-market cities have trouble these days, with trying to fund arenas, or at least the vast majority of it. They just can't create enough revenue stream to pay big loan payments on private lender money.

I agree, its not fair that the Knicks can spend so much without impunity and still make money. And its not fair that Sacramento fans have to pay high ticket prices to make up for the lack of corporate revenue streams and TV contract money.

The league needs to find a way to level the playing field unless it only wants a few (very few) teams in the league. Truthfully, the salary and luxury cap primarily hamper teams in low revenue markets.

Having said all that, I have no problem with public financing being part of the deal. If no arena gets built in the Sacramento era, I think everyone loses. And while I think the NBA needs to rethink its economic model, I'm not sure that can happen fast enough to save the Kings in Sac. Its going to take some real creativity.

 

[JB_kings]

Maybe my skepticism is colored because I was fed up with the Bee years ago and cancelled my subscription that I had carried for two decades.
It just seems to me that Breton is preoccupied with his self appointed role of finger pointer a bit too much. First it was his admitted dislike of the Maloofs. Then his arena support had to come along with a comment of pinching his nose. And now he's tossing blame at the NBA for the way they run their business. I think most sports fans wouldn't argue that most all of the sports could use an NHL type timeout at some point to get their house in order. But this IMO is similar to Steve Cohn and Dave Jones picking the low hanging fruit off the issue tree. How does any of this help Sacramento now? It doesn't. Maybe instead of trying to throw darts at the very thing we are trying to save, lets start hitting targets to get things done. Lets write about some of these movers and shakers in town here who know how to get things done. We have developers and richer people than the Maloofs doing business in this region.
The NBA's business will correct itself at some point. It always has. But lets not sacrifice our asset as part of the process.

 

[kennadog]

How does any of this help Sacramento now? It doesn't. Maybe instead of trying to throw darts at the very thing we are trying to save, lets start hitting targets to get things done.

The NBA's business will correct itself at some point. It always has. But lets not sacrifice our asset as part of the process.

Agree with these points. I believe it needs fixing, but, as I said, doubt that can be done in time here to save the Kings in Sac. I am happy that Stern has finally recognized that the league has a serious problem. This move by Stern is admitting that.

Rich people in the region aren't just going to give, or even loan money for the arena. For the same reasons a bank wouldn't loan this kind of money for an arena. It will take some very, very creative financial minds to come up with something, I think. I think Stern has connections to just those kinds of creative minds, along with his own abilities.

If ideas are raised, I hope the Bee will report them fairly and honestly (big question mark). But I'm not sure that the Bee is supposed to figure this out for everybody. I doubt very much that Breton has the background, skills or business saavy to to reach the higher fruit in this discussion.

Dave Jones is just an anti-tax person. So many "other" needs in Sacramento? What did he do to try to solve any of them while he was a city councilman? I'd like to hear his success stories, because I sure can't recall anything notable.

 

[Bricklayer]

The Knicks are hardly spending so much money with impunity -- that is why the luxury tax is there. They paid a $60 mil fine for their spending last year, which actually was redistributed to the teams who stayed below the tax threshhold. And the argument doesn't hold much water anyway because you can see what all that spending did for them on the court.

In any case, until the differeneces really become decisive on the court ala baseball, there is no practical way to really go about taking away the NY advantage (football had to break its union ot get its harder cap). Fact is you could drop Sacramento into New York and its just a borouogh, and that's before we even get to the vast differences in the amount of wealth flowing through the city.

The only real way to make a practical difference would be this:

1) smaller cities are having issues coming up with funding for new stadiums
2)the new stadiums are needed to bring in sufficient revenue to pay players huge salaries
3) the huge salaries of the players are tied to a percentage of league revenues

SO, if you wanted to go after the problem in #1, the way to attack it might be through #3. Change the way the revenues are calculated, or change the percentage to player, thus taking pressure off the owners, who would not then be so desperate for top arenas, or who at least might have more financial ability and incentive to chip in.

Problem with said plan is the players union isn't going to let you do that. And given that basketball has long had one of the better working relationships with its players, I'm not at all sure you want to threaten to make the whole situation ugly and disgusting ala baseball or hockey by tryong to ram it down their throats.

 

[Venom]

Brick, the NY advantage exists in all sports, even the NFL, due to the ability to make money in endorsements and the like. Tiki Barber would not be co-hosting Fox and Friends if he was a Cowboy. And that advantage does not bare any real correlation to on-field performance. The Yankees have been great when they have properly utilized their farm system, not when they throw around cash.

However, what Breton is saying, and what I have been saying for a while as well, is that the NBA economic model has deteriorated to the point that small and mid-market cities simply cannot afford to keep a team. It's not that the Kings are incapable of competing w/ the Knicks, but that Sacramento cannot compete with New York. Your three main points are on the money, but I disagree with your conclusion. Stern should absolutely play hardball w/ the player's union. I think the league's situation is untenable, and not far from reaching NHL levels. Seriously, in 2-3 years the West Coast could lose half its teams. Three successful, storied franchises may be leaving for (allegedly) greener pastures. That should be fairly alarming to the league office.

 

[BigWaxer]

However, what Breton is saying, and what I have been saying for a while as well, is that the NBA economic model has deteriorated to the point that small and mid-market cities simply cannot afford to keep a team.

You could say that about any of the 3 major sports...

 

[Venom]

You could say that about any of the 3 major sports...

Wrong. NFL can certainly enrich small and mid-market teams, and the MLB teams can still turn a tidy profit.

 

[BigWaxer]

Wrong. NFL can certainly enrich small and mid-market teams, and the MLB teams can still turn a tidy profit.

U want to point me out... of course u are wrong... MLB turning a profit with small market teams?? negative..... NFL? Possibly the best off of the 3 because they have the best product for American viewers.

MLB is in just as much trouble as far as franchises go. Not NFL maybe I spot to much...

 

[supamari0]

U want to point me out... of course u are wrong... MLB turning a profit with small market teams?? negative..... NFL? Possibly the best off of the 3 because they have the best product for American viewers.

MLB is in just as much trouble as far as franchises go. Not NFL maybe I spot to much...

Small market teams can easily turn a profit in baseball. They do so by cheating their fans and not spending any money on salary and pocket all the revenue sharing money they get. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have consistently turned a profit but they also consistently lose.

The problem with baseball is that small market teams can't be competitive and when they try to be, it can be very tough and they usually lose money. Also, baseball is ditching its system of compensatory draft picks for free agents which basically will screw over the small market teams even more because teams like Oakland and Minnesota lived off of those when they lost their big time free agents.

In football, small market teams can easily survive because the sport is popular and will draw fans and most importantly, all teams share the tv dollars equally. That is pretty much the key. The NFL itself negotiates tv deals rather than individual teams and consequently has more leverage in discussions so they are able to eke out more dollars. Also, every team gets the same amount so there aren't the huge discrepencies you see in baseball. Also, the NFL has a spending minimum and a hard cap so it promotes even spending among teams. But its hard to actually have a small market NFL team since the startup costs are so gigantic. Any owner who wants to have an NFL team has to be a billionaire nowadays and consequently have plenty to spend on his/her team so the small/big market dichotomy really doesn't exist. (Green Bay being the notable exception since the people of the city own stock in the team itself)

As for basketball, small market teams are screwed. Most small market teams live on the fact that their host cities subsidize them tremendously and basically let them off the hook from paying taxes, paying for stadiums, etc.. But eventually the perks run out and they tank. Take a look at memphis. The city did a ton to get them there, but Heisley pretty much cashed in and has now realized that the honeymoon period is over and the franchise will lose money so he's trying to sell. If the tv dollars aren't flowing in, you better be getting sellouts or else your franchise will sink.

 

[fansinceday1]

I really don't see how you can have any problem with this article. Breton is only pointing out that the problems we are having here in Sac are related to a much bigger problem that the NBA is going to have to address. Smaller market teams are in trouble and something has to be done about it. Breton wasnt attacking anyone. Pretty fair article.

 

[VF21]

Erm, what? We certainly can criticize this article, especially considering the source... Here's just one example:

we all need this sordid, can't-get-a-deal-done saga to end...

That's pretty rich, especially when you consider the use of the word "sordid." The BEE, and the BEE alone as the sole daily newspaper of any size in the region, bears a great responsibility for a lot of the sordid nature of this saga. As recently as a couple of weeks ago, one of their "reporters" was forced to issue a retraction because he made comments that were patently denied by someone of integrity, Joe Benvenuti.

Breton likes to pretend he's above it all, but he's not. He's just as guilty of back-handed compliments and speaking out of both sides of his mouth as any of them. And he, along with some of the others, have hidden behind the "they're columnists so they don't really have to present facts; they can present their opinions" facade for far too long.

 

[VF21]

Oh, wait. Here's another:

But diplomacy alone isn't going to cure the disease killing Sacramento's arena efforts.

No, diplomacy won't cure the disease. But honesty by the local media might help.

This, to me, is a classic case of misdirection. Magicians use it all the time. Breton's article is meant to deflect attention away from the current little battles being waged behind the scenes between the Bee and KHTK - and by extension the Maloofs and the NBA.

 

[Bricklayer]

Small market teams do better in basketball than in any other major North American sport but the NFL. In both baseball and hockey (well untilt eh league recently nuked itself) competition meant driving the small market owners broke. Basketball's flexible cap and then luxury tax was second only to the NFLs nearly punitive cap at keeping things level. Hence teams like the Spurs, the Pacers, ourselves, Orlando, Seattle, Portland etc. etc. have all had bites at the very top of the apple. There are no permament second class citizens, except the Clippers, and that is by choice.

But Venom, while considerably mistaken about the relative status of baseball (where the overweaning power of the baseball union has log since helped bleed the inequality over ONTO the field) or hockey teams (so many of whom were dying they killed the whole league for a year over it), has a point about the trickle down effect in the NBA. The teams can still all compete, but because of the critical importance of a top flight arena and the necessity of higher ticket prices to pay for the players, in the last 5 years or so some of the smaller/poorer bergs on the NBA roster have really started to struggle. Its not the teams struggling to compete on the court, its the communities struggling to compete off the court to support those teams.

 

[JB_kings]

I really don't see how you can have any problem with this article. Breton is only pointing out that the problems we are having here in Sac are related to a much bigger problem that the NBA is going to have to address. Smaller market teams are in trouble and something has to be done about it. Breton wasnt attacking anyone. Pretty fair article.

Sorry, I got no time or respect for the "problem pointers". They are of no help and they are a dime a dozen. Give me somone who can solve the tough problems. Those are the people we need. And I believe Stern is one of the them.

 

[voteno]

community responsibility?

" its the communities struggling to compete off the court to support those teams."


Doesn't the community support the teams by going to the games and buying tickets? In this case, tickets to go to a Kings game are close to the highest in the league, The Kings are a private, for profit business. Since when is it the public's repsonsibility to guarantee them a profit?

 

[Venom]

Small market teams do better in basketball than in any other major North American sport but the NFL. In both baseball and hockey (well untilt eh league recently nuked itself) competition meant driving the small market owners broke. Basketball's flexible cap and then luxury tax was second only to the NFLs nearly punitive cap at keeping things level. Hence teams like the Spurs, the Pacers, ourselves, Orlando, Seattle, Portland etc. etc. have all had bites at the very top of the apple. There are no permament second class citizens, except the Clippers, and that is by choice.

But Venom, while considerably mistaken about the relative status of baseball (where the overweaning power of the baseball union has log since helped bleed the inequality over ONTO the field) or hockey teams (so many of whom were dying they killed the whole league for a year over it), has a point about the trickle down effect in the NBA. The teams can still all compete, but because of the critical importance of a top flight arena and the necessity of higher ticket prices to pay for the players, in the last 5 years or so some of the smaller/poorer bergs on the NBA roster have really started to struggle. Its not the teams struggling to compete on the court, its the communities struggling to compete off the court to support those teams.

I never referenced hockey, although I do agree with you. By the bye, I just went to my first hockey game, good time. They just over-expanded and moved too many storied franchises, plus salaries were getting out of control. Sounds kind of familiar actually. . .

I disagree on baseball though. I think MLB has stabilized, economically. We still have the perception of it as a sordid league because of the steroids issue and the amount of cheddar that the Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox spend. However, I think it's doing fine due to the slow down in franchises moving. Now, if Sacramento had a new stadium, I think we could entice a franchise, even the A's. They're already moving to Fremont, right? Moreover, these downtown revitilizations seem to be spearheaded by baseball teams due to the longer season and nicer weather. MLB, to my naked eye, seems to be more condusive to the kind of effect we are looking for.

All that wishful thinking aside, I wonder if Stern has a grand plan to make the NBA viable for all markets. I mean, Sacramento is the #19 market and is in trouble. Clearly, Sacramento has some unique qualities that make it difficult to turn a similar profit to other markets of the same size, but it is not just Sacramento that is struggling. Last time Stern was in this predicament Bird, Magic, and MJ bailed him out. He focused on the individual artistry of the game and rode those three to a Golden Age in basketball. Had it not been for those three, and the presence of the Kings, I may have never played the game. They had an unbelievable impact on the country and the world. However, I don't think he can duplicate that strategy. I know he would like to try with Lebron, Wade, Melo, Howard, Oden, etc., but none of them seem to have the panache of the original triumverate. Not only did they play the game beautifully, but they were vicious competitors, warriors really. This new brand of star has been coddled since their early teenage years in the summer camps and AAU teams. Their play does not transcend in the same way, and the whole experience has changed. Now, when you go to a game, hip-hop is played during every possesion, there is always some roving MC exhorting the crowd to cheer or boo, and the thing just feels so manufactured. It is painfully obvious that you are there to be entertained, not just to watch a game. Of course, I interpret everything through basketball puritanism. We'll see. I hope that Stern takes all this as a sign that he needs to regain control of his league.

 

[kennadog]

" its the communities struggling to compete off the court to support those teams."


Doesn't the community support the teams by going to the games and buying tickets? In this case, tickets to go to a Kings game are close to the highest in the league, The Kings are a private, for profit business. Since when is it the public's repsonsibility to guarantee them a profit?

Even the basic draft deal that didn't go thru wasn't going to guarantee a profit.

 

[voteno]

It may not have "guaranteed" a profit, but it did everything else except for that. It would have been very hard for them not to. Naming rights and parking revenue alone would have likely paid for the lease

 

[Spartans_fan]

Meanwhile, small-market teams such as the Kings fear they will bleed red if they exceed the league salary cap, and therefore feel forced to depend on public subsidies to build revenue-generating arenas to boost their bottom lines.

He's right.

Everyone knows the NBA economic model is hopelessly broken as to the majority of its franchises. The only question now is who gets hurt, and how soon.

The days of sports franchises passing the bill for out of control salaries and overhead to taxpayers may not exactly be over, but at least now people are waking up to reality. Yes, Sacramento needs, deserves, and should have a world class entertainment facility. That's all good. But as (almost) everyone knows, the arena is really just a red herring for owners to get the real prize- taxpayer subsidies. You couldn't say to Sacramento County, "we need to have a $65 million dollar payroll, this year, could you please cut us a check for part of the amount? If you don't, we will leave town and go somewhere that will." That's in essence what the Maloofs are saying, but dangling the arena as front of everyone to make it a little bit more palatable.

I understand why Sacramento should have a new arena. I am completely confused as to why Sacramento taxpayers should in effect pay Mike Bibby's salary, or part of it. Let him go without a little bling- "poverty" is good for the soul. That's fine with me. If NBA players make this kind of money due to a failing economic system, guess what? They have to make less money, not pass the bill along to you or I as taxpayers.

First, the NBA needs to get its house in order. Make it so the Maloofs could compete withOUT arena subsidies. Then, of course Sacramento could build an arena that's best for Sacramento, not for the Kings' balance sheet. Does this have any chance of happening? No. Just dreamin'.

 

[Spartans_fan]

Sorry, I got no time or respect for the "problem pointers". They are of no help and they are a dime a dozen. Give me somone who can solve the tough problems. Those are the people we need. And I believe Stern is one of the them.

Of course, Breton is a journalist, and it's is JOB to poke holes in things. It's his job to call people to account. Nit-pickers are indeed a dime a dozen, but clear thinking, fair reporters not so much. Breton is pretty good, overall.

Magic Stern did a great job in solving all of them tough problems in Seattle, huh. He arrived there as the Sonics' future there looked bleak. After a little input from Dave, things now look impossible. I hope he has better luck here, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Next, he'll be on to Portland, where he'll complete his secret mission to destroy the NBA in the Northwest.

Stern-no could, naturally, try to help save the Kings by applying the bigger fool theory. Let him find bigger fools than the Maloofs (insert your quip here) to buy the team and finance an arena on their own.

 

[voteno]

great comments spartan

I agree 100% with your thoughts

 

[VF21]

Of course, Breton is a journalist, and it's is JOB to poke holes in things. It's his job to call people to account. Nit-pickers are indeed a dime a dozen, but clear thinking, fair reporters not so much. Breton is pretty good, overall.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion.

Magic Stern did a great job in solving all of them tough problems in Seattle, huh. He arrived there as the Sonics' future there looked bleak. After a little input from Dave, things now look impossible. I hope he has better luck here, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Next, he'll be on to Portland, where he'll complete his secret mission to destroy the NBA in the Northwest.

The problems in Seattle were pretty hopeless to begin with. And the attendance figures seemed to indicate the fans weren't anything like what the Kings have. Stern can't work miracles all the time.

Stern-no could, naturally, try to help save the Kings by applying the bigger fool theory. Let him find bigger fools than the Maloofs (insert your quip here) to buy the team and finance an arena on their own.

I think you can get your message across without resorting to continual name-calling or misnaming of David Stern or anyone else. Thanks ever so...

 

[VF21]

Reminder:

This board is dedicated to the Sacramento Kings. As part of that, we have long discussed what we feel is a real and genuine need for a new arena, both for the Kings and for the Sacramento area.

People who come here should remember this is not neutral turf. If all you're going to do is post negative comments, then you can expect - sooner or later - for some of them just to be removed.

The purpose of this forum is to enable those who support the idea of a new arena to discuss that goal. If you want to continually agree with Dave Jones and some of the others who are whole-heartedly against the whole concept, then you'd probably be better off finding a board that is ANTI-arena to post your thoughts on.

Thanks.

 

[voteno]

this is very interesting

Reminder:

This board is dedicated to the Sacramento Kings. As part of that, we have long discussed what we feel is a real and genuine need for a new arena, both for the Kings and for the Sacramento area.

People who come here should remember this is not neutral turf. If all you're going to do is post negative comments, then you can expect - sooner or later - for some of them just to be removed.

The purpose of this forum is to enable those who support the idea of a new arena to discuss that goal. If you want to continually agree with Dave Jones and some of the others who are whole-heartedly against the whole concept, then you'd probably be better off finding a board that is ANTI-arena to post your thoughts on.

Thanks.

So what you saying that this forum is only for people who agree 1)that there is a need for a new arena 2. the arena should be provided to the maloofs at a mximum cost to the taxpayers. 3. If you disagree with our views, go somewhere else/ What a great way to really see how good or bad some of your ideas are!

New Arena Sacramento needs a new arena!!! Discuss the latest news, your ideas, or how to take action. Shouldnt you also welcome the opposition's point if view. Just for the record. I am on the fence whether an arean is really needed. The concerts that my firends and I have gone to over the years and recently have all been top notch. I also dont agree that the public should pay a major part of construction costs.

 

[kennadog]

So what you saying that this forum is only for people who agree 1)that there is a need for a new arena 2. the arena should be provided to the maloofs at a mximum cost to the taxpayers. 3. If you disagree with our views, go somewhere else/ What a great way to really see how good or bad some of your ideas are!

New Arena Sacramento needs a new arena!!! Discuss the latest news, your ideas, or how to take action. Shouldnt you also welcome the opposition's point if view. Just for the record. I am on the fence whether an arean is really needed. The concerts that my firends and I have gone to over the years and recently have all been top notch. I also dont agree that the public should pay a major part of construction costs.

Considering how much you've posted here, without ever posting in any other thread as far as I know, this is just a ridiculous statement.

I suspect a post was deleted that neither you nor I read. Maybe the deletion and warning are perfectly appropriate. How do you know?

 

[JB_kings]

Lets see, we want a new public arena - but not pay for it.

We think the NBA business is the next Titanic - but we want the NBA to subsidize our arena.

We want the NBA to fix their business model. And then build us a new arena.

And the last gem - Breton is a clear thinker.

 

[kupman]

He's right.

Everyone knows the NBA economic model is hopelessly broken as to the majority of its franchises. The only question now is who gets hurt, and how soon.

The days of sports franchises passing the bill for out of control salaries and overhead to taxpayers may not exactly be over, but at least now people are waking up to reality. Yes, Sacramento needs, deserves, and should have a world class entertainment facility. That's all good. But as (almost) everyone knows, the arena is really just a red herring for owners to get the real prize- taxpayer subsidies. You couldn't say to Sacramento County, "we need to have a $65 million dollar payroll, this year, could you please cut us a check for part of the amount? If you don't, we will leave town and go somewhere that will." That's in essence what the Maloofs are saying, but dangling the arena as front of everyone to make it a little bit more palatable.

I understand why Sacramento should have a new arena. I am completely confused as to why Sacramento taxpayers should in effect pay Mike Bibby's salary, or part of it. Let him go without a little bling- "poverty" is good for the soul. That's fine with me. If NBA players make this kind of money due to a failing economic system, guess what? They have to make less money, not pass the bill along to you or I as taxpayers.

First, the NBA needs to get its house in order. Make it so the Maloofs could compete withOUT arena subsidies. Then, of course Sacramento could build an arena that's best for Sacramento, not for the Kings' balance sheet. Does this have any chance of happening? No. Just dreamin'.

Nice post.

I am way pro-new arena. I also believe that the public should take a significant amount of the responsibility for building a new arena as we will derive a significant amount of the benefit from a quality of life perspective.

Having said that, you make some really good points. Placing nearly all the burden on the public is not going to work. The public simply is not going to help subsidize an NBA system that is running amuck. As A.S. put it - 'people find it offensive.'

Will the public help build a portion of it? I hope so. I do not think that it is right to for the public to expect really nice things for free. There has to be a happy middle ground between the public and owners somewhere.

If not, owners will move to a place where the dysfunction is subsidized and the beast will continue to feed and grow.