Kings to Anaheim? Details on a Proposed Plan

[kennadog]

Whether the Kings move to Anaheim or move at all, I don't know why so many people are upset about Anaheim being one of the possibilities more than other cities.

I'm guessing its because Anaheim is close to LA & everyone is relating them to the lakers. You guys need to understand that OC in general and Anaheim is a good sports city by itself. It houses the Angels and the Ducks. The Angels were 5th in the MLB for average attendance while the Dodgers were 3rd. Both the LA Kings and Ducks are in the lower half of average attendance in the NHL. The Ducks are lower but still pulled over 15K fans per game last year in so cal which is a non hockey town that has 2 teams. There are enough fans to go to around for clips/lakers in Staples and Kings in Anaheim.

Many OC sports fans are laker fans because there isn't a closer option. Both LA team are about 2 hrs drive from them during rush hour for weekday games. If Anaheim gets their very own team, there will be a lot of fans there. Especially if you are bringing in a team that already has 2 young stars. There is a big rivalry going between Angels and Dodger fans. Anaheim vs LA. Ducks vs LA Kings. If the OC gets their own NBA team, it will be like that as well.

I totally understand why Sac residents are against the idea of their team moving, but if anything wouldn't it be better if they at least stay in CA? At least its much closer for a road trip game or 2 per season.

Short answer, not to me.

I'd rather the Kings move almost anywhere except So Cal. My only exception to the "SoCal" thing would be if the moved to San Diego. The SoCal, NoCal animosity goes very far back. I've lived in both areas.

I wouldn't mind Kansas City. We took the Kings away from them, so that would be kind of karmic and I'd be happy for them. I just can't see the Maloofs going there.

 

[Peter_Gibbons]

Exactly. Ultimate herasy... the thought of those smug SoCal bandwagoners taking my team away from me makes me sick.

There are bandwagoners for every team. Yes the lakers probably has more bandwagon fans than others. But the ones that becomes Kings fans when they are at the bottom will not be bandwagoners. The Kings won't be stealing any bandwagon fans from the lakers anytime soon, until they start winning and the lakers starts losing more.

 

[Trueblood]

Anaheim seems like a dumb move to me. Take a 100 million dollar loan to pay relocation fees, have to compete with two other NBA teams a few miles away, and risk not even being a majority owner if they can't pay the loan, all so you can play in a nicer area? I'd rather play in a barn than move on those terms if I were The Maloofs.

I was thinking the same thing myself. Why pay $60-100 million for territorial fees when you could pay half that in San Jose or nothing at all in Seattle and Vegas? But I saw a new article in the OC register that says that Henry Samueli, the guy who owns the Ducks and runs the Honda Center, would pay the fees.

 

[Section 101]

I was thinking the same thing myself. Why pay $60-100 million for territorial fees when you could pay half that in San Jose or nothing at all in Seattle and Vegas? But I saw a new article in the OC register that says that Henry Samueli, the guy who owns the Ducks and runs the Honda Center, would pay the fees.

No. He said he would loan them $100 million to pay the fees with the Kings as colateral. Big difference.

 

[Trueblood]

No. He said he would loan them $100 million to pay the fees with the Kings as colateral. Big difference.

Oh ok. With the Maloofs having the problems that they are, collateral would be a good thing for Samueli as I guess he would have the right of first refusal to buy them outright if the Maloofs were to fault on the loan.

 

[jdbraver]

It's over and so depressing. Boycott the kings for the rest of the year. They have mailed it in

 

[ArcoKings]

I just can't see the Kings moving to Anaheim. Three teams within 30- 40 miles from each other is just too crowded. 95% of NBA fans in Orange County are Lakers fans and the rest are fans of other teams. I live in San Bernardino County- 35 minutes from Honda Center- and even here in the Inland Empire its all Lakers fans. I really don't think the Kings would be accepted and attendance would be low even if the Kings were Orange County's very own team. Orange County would inherit a bad team thats still in the middle of rebuilding. The Clippers have lots of upside and have a superstar in the making. People are starting to notice the Clippers in So Cal so it would be even harder to 'snag' fans. All of this Anaheim talk could just be orchestrated to pressure some people in Sacramento to hurry up and get something done regarding a new arena. I truly believe that Sacramento will lose the Kings but I don't see them relocating to Anaheim.

 

[Padrino]

I just can't see the Kings moving to Anaheim. Three teams within 30- 40 miles from each other is just too crowded. 95% of NBA fans in Orange County are Lakers fans and the rest are fans of other teams. I live in San Bernardino County- 35 minutes from Honda Center- and even here in the Inland Empire its all Lakers fans. I really don't think the Kings would be accepted and attendance would be low even if the Kings were Orange County's very own team. Orange County would inherit a bad team thats still in the middle of rebuilding. The Clippers have lots of upside and have a superstar in the making. People are starting to notice the Clippers in So Cal so it would be even harder to 'snag' fans. All of this Anaheim talk could just be orchestrated to pressure some people in Sacramento to hurry up and get something done regarding a new arena. I truly believe that Sacramento will lose the Kings but I don't see them relocating to Anaheim.

i absolutely can't see the nba approving a move to anaheim, for the exact same reason. it's already a crowded market, and despite the population density, no 50-mile radius can support three teams. plain and simple. so why would the nba say "yes"? i'd imagine they'd rather push the kings in the direction of kansas city, or san jose, but less so. the warriors already have a rabid fan base in the bay area that actually sticks with their team, regardless of record...

 

[Sluggah]

If this happens, can't you guys at least be happy for me that the Kings will be 20 minutes away from my house?

No.

 

[est.1999]

If this happens, can't you guys at least be happy for me that the Kings will be 20 minutes away from my house?

Lol, I wouldn't mind them moving to Anaheim either. Living in Los Angeles, it'll be about an hour drive for me.

 

[Fear the Putin]

If this happens, can't you guys at least be happy for me that the Kings will be 20 minutes away from my house?

I feel ya on having it close to town. I'm in L.A., so Anaheim would be about half an hour for me.

But, I would rather drive all the way to Sacramento for a game than have the Kings move to So. Cal.

You just can't have ANOTHER basketball team in So Cal. The only fans that the Kings would get would be people from Orange County and even so, many are already die hard Laker fans and the boatload of bandwaggon L.A. fans would never root for the Kings because the Lakers are always the "in" thing to root for.

Southern California is dominated by Laker fans. I mean you already have bandwaggon fans in No Cal coming into ARCO and the Warriors arena, imagine how bad it will be in Anaheim.

There is so much history for the Lakers in Southern California that it would be suicide to move a team in hopes of having success.

Yes, Honda Center is a very nice arena, but IMO if the Maloofs want to move, they need to move to a city where it will be the Kings and ONLY the Kings.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

I REALLY dont see Stern or the owners board approving a THIRD franchise in one metro area...that's just asinine and over saturation.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Maybe OC does have a lot of Lakers fans, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't want to come to games. It would be cheaper than the Lakers and much more convenient than going to Staples for the Lakers or Clippers. Typically, Orange County people don't like LA.

Also, they might attract some people from the San Diego area.

 

[Kings Fan Gerard]

Anaheim Kings? I don't really want the Kings to be in Lakerland. That would be too much insult to injury - and we already have our current arena named after a sham product.

 

[mr. moustache]

Also, they might attract some people from the San Diego area.

Then move the team to San Diego. Anaheim is just too close to Staples.

I'm fine with Sac, Seattle, and San Jose in that order. Anything else and I bail on this team.

 

[Fear the Putin]

Maybe OC does have a lot of Lakers fans, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't want to come to games. It would be cheaper than the Lakers and much more convenient than going to Staples for the Lakers or Clippers. Typically, Orange County people don't like LA.

Also, they might attract some people from the San Diego area.

they are still laker fans for crying out loud

good luck trying to sell Kings merchandise in so. cal

 

[fiction916]

whatever happens, keep the purple and black in Sacramento!

change the name, change the colors, leave us our dignity.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Then move the team to San Diego. Anaheim is just too close to Staples.

I'm fine with Sac, Seattle, and San Jose in that order. Anything else and I bail on this team.

Why? You guys sound kind of prejudice towards socal.

 

[Vlade4GM]

they are still laker fans for crying out loud

good luck trying to sell Kings merchandise in so. cal

I don't know if they'd keep the Kings name, too close to the LA Kings.

 

[hoopsfan]

Why? You guys sound kind of prejudice towards socal.

That's sarcasm, right??

 

[CruzDude]

Time to chime in I guess. First, we prefer the Kings in Sacramento with a new rail yard arena. Second, the greater LA/OC area is the second largest media market in the hemisphere and spread out over many thousand square miles. Key question is really if Stern and the other owners allow the move? Would it affect Laker attendance? Not one darn bit? Clips? Not likely as they don't really have a hard core fan base.

From a.pure business standpoint there is far more profit potential for the Kings to be a tenant in an arena then owning/maintaining an arena especially in such a huge media market. Plus Anaheim has the Angels baseball team, the Ducks and Disneyland next door. And the Palms is 3-4 hr away.

Sure, I'd like to see the Kings stay but can a new downtown arena get off the ground during 2011? If not can the Maloof's afford to stay much longer? And if the Kings don't start winning soon.......... well we know that handwriting on the wall.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Why? You guys sound kind of prejudice towards socal.

I can't think of any reason why the peopler from a region that has been written off by those from another region as a "cow town" would at all be upset that now other people from that region are coming after their basketball team. Not one!

 

[captain bill]

Time to chime in I guess. First, we prefer the Kings in Sacramento with a new rail yard arena. Second, the greater LA/OC area is the second largest media market in the hemisphere and spread out over many thousand square miles. Key question is really if Stern and the other owners allow the move? Would it affect Laker attendance? Not one darn bit? Clips? Not likely as they don't really have a hard core fan base.

From a.pure business standpoint there is far more profit potential for the Kings to be a tenant in an arena then owning/maintaining an arena especially in such a huge media market. Plus Anaheim has the Angels baseball team, the Ducks and Disneyland next door. And the Palms is 3-4 hr away.

Sure, I'd like to see the Kings stay but can a new downtown arena get off the ground during 2011? If not can the Maloof's afford to stay much longer? And if the Kings don't start winning soon.......... well we know that handwriting on the wall.

I think the Clips are the team that would really be hurt by this. The Clippers would still have pretty good attendance, since they would still be the show to see if you want to watch an NBA game for cheap. However, *no one* would drive in from OC, San Bernadino or Riverside County to watch the Clippers anymore. A lot of those communities would start developing die-hard Anaheim fans- not enough to hurt the Lakers, but certainly the Clippers would see the impact. Also, it would have a big negative impact on the Clippers TV rights as well.

I've said this before, it only really makes sense for the Kings to go to Anaheim if the Clippers are going to another city as well (Seattle, San Diego, or San Jose)


EDIT: To all the SoCal people saying it would be cool to have the Kings close by, I don't think you guys are really thinking this through. As a recent NorCal to SoCal transplant, I get that it's cool to think we could see our Kings play a lot down here. But it really wouldn't be the Kings anymore. The identity of the team, the fanbase, even the knowledge of the history and traditions of the team would be gone. Half the fans would be part-time Lakers fans. Being a fan of the Anaheim Kings would be completely, completely different.

Not to mention that the Kings already play in SoCal 4 times per year, which is plenty of opportunity to see them, not to mention that it's an easy drive back up north to see them play at home on vacation.

San Jose is a little different because, while the Bay Area and Sacramento are different places, they're still close enough that the fan base could stay the same, and there would also be a lot more understanding of what it means to be a Sacramento fan up north than in socal. Staying in San Jose means there's a much better chance that the identity of the fans would stay the same, and you wouldn't have to feel like a sell-out if you kept following them in SJ. Can't say the same if they came to Anaheim- I think everyone in NorCal would eventually become Warriors fans and forget about the Kings entirely.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I gotta agree with captain bill, the Clips are the team that most people see just to see a game or to see the visiting team. They will really take a hit if there is another team with an actual identity and trying to win in the area. He also brings up a great point about TV rights. 3 NBA teams in one TV market is overkill. When I lived in SoCal the Clips had one or two games a year that weren't televised, I can imagine it getting worse with a third team (plus two hockey teams competing for TV time). And while I'm sure the NBA doesn't care and it won't be a factor, what of the NHL Kings and NBA Kings being in the same market with similar color schemes?

 

[bajaden]

Sacramento county has a population of 1,445,327 people. If you add in Yolo and Sutter you might add in another 500,000 people that might come to a Kings game. So lets say the Kings are drawing from a 2 million person base. Los Angeles county and Orange counties total populations add up to 13,026,786 people. Thats six times the size of the population the Kings are currently drawing from. A lot of folks from Anaheim to San Diego hate the Lakers and some look at the Clippers as traitors. You put an exciting and winning team in Anaheim, and I guarantee you that they will draw.

On a selfish note, and this is only if the team does move, I'd perfer to to move to Anaheim or San Jose. But I'll say this. There's a bigger population base for three teams to draw from in the Orange county area, than there would be for two teams to draw from in the Bay area.

I hope the Kings stay in Sacramento, but if they have to move I perfer they stay in California. The worse case scenario would be to move back to KC. Sorry, but I'm from St. Louis originally, and I have no use for Kansas City...You want to talk about a real cow town, thats it. They do have great steaks there though...

 

[JB_kings]

Population is huge down there, no doubt. But from the NBA's perspective, are they drawing new fans or cannibalizing their current fan base? With the vast population comes options. They have to compete with all entertainment that exist down there, not just the NBA. That said, a decent team to watch would probably draw enough fans to mostly fill a building. The real question is how many suites could they fill... what kind of TV/radio deals... what kinds of sponsers. That would be the deciding factor. However, if you put a crap team on the floor, you could be ignored like a semi-pro bowling team. That's because they already have a lottery team to draw the quirky non-Laker fan base. The discretionary spenders drop fast!

Not really seeing a good thing for the NBA product. Dillution is bad for business in a premier market.

 

[hrdboild]

Considering how most fans have treated the Anaheim Angels over the years I would think that the Kings could have a lot of success there as long as they were winning. And when they weren't winning they'd lose most of their fans to other entertainment choices. The biggest hit though, I think, would be in team identity. Part of the reason the Clippers don't draw fans is that the Lakers have been successful in LA for decades while the Clippers moved into the market comparatively recently and most of the time since they've been a losing team. It takes a long time for a franchise to build up fan loyalty. Moving out of Sacramento now would be throwing away the last 25 years of history and starting from scratch, wherever they end up. Anaheim would be particularly difficult because LA is always going to be a Lakers town and it's just 30-45 minutes away. And of course a huge chunk of their population are already hardcore Laker fans. At least if you move to somewhere like Kansas City that doesn't already have an NBA team in the region you're going to forge an identity with the community from day one like the Sonics did when they moved to Oklahoma City. Smaller market, but clearer team identity.

 

[Section 101]

I don't know if they'd keep the Kings name, too close to the LA Kings.

Ya know, The LA Kings just might have a valid lawsuit forcing a name change as a brand name for the market. Something else the Maloofs may not want to do.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I can't think of any reason why the peopler from a region that has been written off by those from another region as a "cow town" would at all be upset that now other people from that region are coming after their basketball team. Not one!

What are you talking about? That's horribly prejudice, you judge an entire region of California based on what some stupid Lakers fans think? Are you that narrowminded?

 

[Vlade4GM]

I think the Clips are the team that would really be hurt by this. The Clippers would still have pretty good attendance, since they would still be the show to see if you want to watch an NBA game for cheap. However, *no one* would drive in from OC, San Bernadino or Riverside County to watch the Clippers anymore. A lot of those communities would start developing die-hard Anaheim fans- not enough to hurt the Lakers, but certainly the Clippers would see the impact. Also, it would have a big negative impact on the Clippers TV rights as well.

I've said this before, it only really makes sense for the Kings to go to Anaheim if the Clippers are going to another city as well (Seattle, San Diego, or San Jose)


EDIT: To all the SoCal people saying it would be cool to have the Kings close by, I don't think you guys are really thinking this through. As a recent NorCal to SoCal transplant, I get that it's cool to think we could see our Kings play a lot down here. But it really wouldn't be the Kings anymore. The identity of the team, the fanbase, even the knowledge of the history and traditions of the team would be gone. Half the fans would be part-time Lakers fans. Being a fan of the Anaheim Kings would be completely, completely different.

Not to mention that the Kings already play in SoCal 4 times per year, which is plenty of opportunity to see them, not to mention that it's an easy drive back up north to see them play at home on vacation.

San Jose is a little different because, while the Bay Area and Sacramento are different places, they're still close enough that the fan base could stay the same, and there would also be a lot more understanding of what it means to be a Sacramento fan up north than in socal. Staying in San Jose means there's a much better chance that the identity of the fans would stay the same, and you wouldn't have to feel like a sell-out if you kept following them in SJ. Can't say the same if they came to Anaheim- I think everyone in NorCal would eventually become Warriors fans and forget about the Kings entirely.

That wouldn't bother me since I've wanted a true "hometeam" in basketball for a long time. Whether the identity changes or not, that wouldn't be a hard adjustment for me since I'm an Orange County native.