Maloofs say they're willing to pay the two L.A. teams whatever it takes to relocte
- Thread starter RookieOfTheDay
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From the article
The move to Anaheim will be opposed by the Lakers and Clippers, who see it as an encroachment on their territory. But sources close to the Maloofs say they're willing to pay the two L.A. teams whatever it takes to relocate. That would be in addition to the league's relocation fee of $30 million.
The move to Anaheim will be opposed by the Lakers and Clippers, who see it as an encroachment on their territory. But sources close to the Maloofs say they're willing to pay the two L.A. teams whatever it takes to relocate. That would be in addition to the league's relocation fee of $30 million.
I thought they were bluffing until somewhere around Thursday of last week. Then I was convinced they were bluffing Anaheim that they might stay. Honestly I am throwing my hands in the air at this point and don't know what to think. It doesn't sound like information is flowing freely between the parties that need it and that is a huge flag, but I still don't think this Anaheim deal is all that sweet and that is assuming they win the fans over.
If they're bluffing, they're doing it at the expense of butts in seats, because that arena was not close to half-full tonight. If there's a season next year, they have brought ruin upon their own season ticket sales. People can see now there's no reason to commit to 41 games when they walk up any day of the week.
This ain't no bluff. It it is... Well, recall a scene in "The Magic Christian", where Ringo (I think it was) gives a cop a 10,000 pound bribe in order to get out of a 3 pound parking ticket. That's how much sense this bluff makes.
Terrible game tonight. Just awful. In many other seasons, the coach would be fired within days. Were the Maloofs there tonight?
This ain't no bluff. It it is... Well, recall a scene in "The Magic Christian", where Ringo (I think it was) gives a cop a 10,000 pound bribe in order to get out of a 3 pound parking ticket. That's how much sense this bluff makes.
Terrible game tonight. Just awful. In many other seasons, the coach would be fired within days. Were the Maloofs there tonight?
Yeah, I think it is now more of an issue of the deal with Anaheim falling apart rather than the Maloofs bluffing. I think it may have started out as a bluff, but from what i have heard, things between the Maloofs and KJ really went south around the time he tabbed Taylor as the point man for the new arena project. The Maloofs were apparently on board with Kamilos as the developer with the Macquarie Group backing the project. Right about the time all of this happened is when the Maloofs stopped communicating with KJ and has contributed to them currently not handing over all of the paperwork. Now that is not to say they were not exploring a possible move before this, because they had been looking into since November. The Taylor over Kamilos pick seemed to be the final straw for the Maloofs.
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That's what I think too. I was about 90% sure it was a bluff until they started postponing the meeting with the mayor and then refused to turn over some of the financial documents to ICON. Since that happened I'm about 95% sure it's not a bluff. I think they're gone unless the deal somehow falls apart or by some miracle the league blocks the move.
While I am not privy to everything that went on, I don't really see how it was Kamilos's fault that the land swap fell through. It was a state consultant that advised against it, saying it would not be beneficial for Cal Expo, so the board rejected it. Not to mention Taylor was also involved with Kamilos in the the potential land swap deal, so wouldn't he hold just as much blame? As far as the Macquarie Group, I am not really sure, would think it possibly had something to do with private financing?
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/kings_arena_land_swap_voted_down_by_cal_expo/3296558
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2010/09/20/daily81.html
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/kings_arena_land_swap_voted_down_by_cal_expo/3296558
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2010/09/20/daily81.html
I think it is ICON's involvement not Taylor's that made their package the one that the city council ran with. The fact is local guys have had their crack at it for 15 years, bringing in a group with international experience to lay down the law and tell it like it is was the only option. As far as I'm aware this was the only of the 4 serious proposals to do so.
The problem is that Kamilos tried to work on the concept of doing the facility as a private venture. This has always been the longest of longshots. It's not his or Taylor's fault for trying to do it that way. Therefore going back there again was going to be another long shot.
The root of all this mess goes back a decade. The city and the Maloofs should have gone off the news grid and worked together behind the scenes to come up with a plan to publicly fund the arena. Then through channels of business leaders, work on a campaign to educate the citizens on why a public facility benefits the whole region over several years. This whole thing was set up to be a Kings vs. the City from the minute that Jim Thomas went to the city for a loan. They had a chance to undo some of that damage, but failed. That left the Sac Bee to sit there and take free potshots at the Maloofs for years and set in motion all the events leading up until today. The only other way to make this work is to initiate the process to move and make it urgent enough to cut through the posturing. We are left to ponder if this is the real plan or a real exit.
The root of all this mess goes back a decade. The city and the Maloofs should have gone off the news grid and worked together behind the scenes to come up with a plan to publicly fund the arena. Then through channels of business leaders, work on a campaign to educate the citizens on why a public facility benefits the whole region over several years. This whole thing was set up to be a Kings vs. the City from the minute that Jim Thomas went to the city for a loan. They had a chance to undo some of that damage, but failed. That left the Sac Bee to sit there and take free potshots at the Maloofs for years and set in motion all the events leading up until today. The only other way to make this work is to initiate the process to move and make it urgent enough to cut through the posturing. We are left to ponder if this is the real plan or a real exit.
Yeah, there is plenty of blame to go around. As you said, this should have been handled years ago. Right now, IMO, I think the best hope lies within the deal with Anaheim falling through. At least that might buy more time for everyone to get their acts together and finally come to an agreement on something that would be beneficial to everyone. Can't say the last 10 years have made me very optimistic that this can occur though.
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And the arena is part of that, which they were never dishonest about. They are no longer going to pump money into maintaining a building that is beyond repair. If they had a new arena and signed to a lease, we wouldn't be having this discussion right now.
And people need to realize this: the payment may be 30 mil + territorial payments. Or it could be nothing. People seem to not understand that the NBA determines what teams have to pay, because nothing is specified in by-laws.
And people need to realize this: the payment may be 30 mil + territorial payments. Or it could be nothing. People seem to not understand that the NBA determines what teams have to pay, because nothing is specified in by-laws.
I think it's completely wrong to say the Maloofs never cared about Sacramento. One, if they didn't care about Sacramento, they could have moved the team any time after they became majority owners, ten years ago. Secondly, they didn't move, they've donated almost $20 million to local charities, both Gavin and Joe own homes here.
However, of course its about the money! It's a business. If they don't make enough money to be competitive at all, what's the point? And going bankrupt, like the prior Kings ownership was on the verge of doesn't help anybody, either. Not only that, but before the Kings became owners, Thomas was trying to get a deal for a new arena. We've known for 14 friggin' years the arena needed replacement and no owner was going to build it without public help, because they don't need to. Plenty of other cities are more than willing to help.
We've been in a bidding war, essentially for 14 years now and people just hid their heads in the sand or expected the team to stay with no public help. That was just stupidity. So after 14 years of the franchise trying to get help with a new arena, you think the Maloofs never cared? If I was the owner who didn't care, I would have left a long time ago. This isn't about the Maloofs abandoning Sacramento. It's about a city that didn't care enough to keep a team in town . Sacramento basically showed the Maloofs the exit door.
I'm hoping the Anaheim deal falls through. But Sacramento has to realize that if we area lucky enough to have that happen, it gives us maybe a year to get our act together and act like we really want the Maloofs and the Kings to stay and are willing to put some money where our mouth is. Otherwise, we don't have any reason to complain.
However, of course its about the money! It's a business. If they don't make enough money to be competitive at all, what's the point? And going bankrupt, like the prior Kings ownership was on the verge of doesn't help anybody, either. Not only that, but before the Kings became owners, Thomas was trying to get a deal for a new arena. We've known for 14 friggin' years the arena needed replacement and no owner was going to build it without public help, because they don't need to. Plenty of other cities are more than willing to help.
We've been in a bidding war, essentially for 14 years now and people just hid their heads in the sand or expected the team to stay with no public help. That was just stupidity. So after 14 years of the franchise trying to get help with a new arena, you think the Maloofs never cared? If I was the owner who didn't care, I would have left a long time ago. This isn't about the Maloofs abandoning Sacramento. It's about a city that didn't care enough to keep a team in town . Sacramento basically showed the Maloofs the exit door.
I'm hoping the Anaheim deal falls through. But Sacramento has to realize that if we area lucky enough to have that happen, it gives us maybe a year to get our act together and act like we really want the Maloofs and the Kings to stay and are willing to put some money where our mouth is. Otherwise, we don't have any reason to complain.
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I am not a Maloof hater by any means but let's get real. The brothers donated $20 Ms to local charities ... that's true.. but it is a very important part of this business. You kinda have to do it. Every NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL etc. owner dies it. My father worked in the oil business and his company invested and donated $80-100 Ms to environmental companies. They hated them but it was a part of the "game". Obviously, I am not saying that the Maloofs hated our community; they just did their job as owners.
And yes .. we should have built a new arena 10 years ago but it was not easy even in those good times when the Kings were great and our economy was decent. Ask San Francisco how they built their ballpark in 2000 and the Giants > the Kings by far. Good economy and exciting team is the new expensive arena recipe for a small pro market like Sacramento. And the Maloofs were a big part of ruining the second part - they became GMs, fired Adelman because he was not cool enough for them, brought clowns to coach the team etc. Our attendance has not been good but it is not easy to pay $120 to watch arguably the most boring team in NBA. I am not saying that they are miscreants but they are not innocent victims either. City of Sacramento failed .. and the brothers failed too.
I am not blaming them for moving our team. I am very, very upset but I understand that the Maloofs are going down and saving their a$$es now. They made bad investments and are facing a tough reality. Fortunately for them, this team is young and promising, so they can move it to greener pastures. I can understand them but let's not make them like they were innocent babies or great owners. "Were" because this team is done and gone. It is not official because they want you to buy tickets ... there are some home games left.
And yes .. we should have built a new arena 10 years ago but it was not easy even in those good times when the Kings were great and our economy was decent. Ask San Francisco how they built their ballpark in 2000 and the Giants > the Kings by far. Good economy and exciting team is the new expensive arena recipe for a small pro market like Sacramento. And the Maloofs were a big part of ruining the second part - they became GMs, fired Adelman because he was not cool enough for them, brought clowns to coach the team etc. Our attendance has not been good but it is not easy to pay $120 to watch arguably the most boring team in NBA. I am not saying that they are miscreants but they are not innocent victims either. City of Sacramento failed .. and the brothers failed too.
I am not blaming them for moving our team. I am very, very upset but I understand that the Maloofs are going down and saving their a$$es now. They made bad investments and are facing a tough reality. Fortunately for them, this team is young and promising, so they can move it to greener pastures. I can understand them but let's not make them like they were innocent babies or great owners. "Were" because this team is done and gone. It is not official because they want you to buy tickets ... there are some home games left.
I didn't say the Maloofs were victims, nor are they without fault. But thewy aren't the evil ogres that some people want to blame for unfairly taking our team away. Esentially they were left with no choice. I would say they really need a better public relations person and then they need to listen to that person.
Nobody "has to" donate to charity. The fact is that most of their donations have been done without any fanfare or publicity. The only reason its even mentioned now is because of the constant assault on the Maloofs and the accusations that they don't care about Sacramento. Charitable events backed by the NBA are publicized and the Maloofs' $100,000 donation each fall in the name of their father is always publicized, but most of their donations are kept quite private. I always wondered why they didn't publicize it more.
Reading outside of Kings fans and Sacramento, the opinion of the Maloofs is that they are very good owners. Not perfect, but who is? Yes, they have made some poor decisions. The bottom line fact, however, is that if the city had gotten serious a long time ago about working out an arena deal, we would not be faced with losing the team. The ball has been in the city's court for a long time. The Maloofs could not do anything by themselves. The city needed to step up and take control of getting a new arena done for the good of Sacramento. The city has just bungled it, badly. Unless they wanted the team to go and Sacramento to have no arena. Then they have done a great job.
Nobody "has to" donate to charity. The fact is that most of their donations have been done without any fanfare or publicity. The only reason its even mentioned now is because of the constant assault on the Maloofs and the accusations that they don't care about Sacramento. Charitable events backed by the NBA are publicized and the Maloofs' $100,000 donation each fall in the name of their father is always publicized, but most of their donations are kept quite private. I always wondered why they didn't publicize it more.
Reading outside of Kings fans and Sacramento, the opinion of the Maloofs is that they are very good owners. Not perfect, but who is? Yes, they have made some poor decisions. The bottom line fact, however, is that if the city had gotten serious a long time ago about working out an arena deal, we would not be faced with losing the team. The ball has been in the city's court for a long time. The Maloofs could not do anything by themselves. The city needed to step up and take control of getting a new arena done for the good of Sacramento. The city has just bungled it, badly. Unless they wanted the team to go and Sacramento to have no arena. Then they have done a great job.
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sorry, but they had a choice. They choose a back room deal instead of coming out and saying we need an arena deal in place by X date or we will have to move. I think they would have been better off doing the latter. The city would of had a drop dead date to get something done. It's the back room deal stuff that pisses people off more than anything. Be up front about it and dont have all the rumors and speculation running rampet about why the extension. Is it just to fleece people before moving, etc?
Sorry, but we'll just have to disagree. We've been warned for 14 years. So the Maloofs were just supposed to know that the city would suddenly do something they haven't done in 14 years? That's crap. We may not have had a specific date, but anybody who didn't think this day was coming was stupid.
Not only that, but there is absolutely no gurantee to the Taylor/ICON study. It may come back and say an arena just can't be done right now. Further, even if they present options to the city for how to raise the public funds, that still doesn't guarantee the city will be giving a guaranteed commitment of funding any time soon. Personally, I don't know why anyone thinks the Maloofs should have any more faith that this city study will lead to anything concrete. Until I see it, I'm not convinced this city will actually commit funds.
Also, the franchise is a private business. They don't have to be any more open than any other business. They actually been more forthcoming than most private businesses would ever be.
We know everything we need to know right now, anyway. Anaheim is their first choice, if MSE gets the deal they want. Staying in Sacramento is only going to happen, if Anaheim doesn't come up with a good enough deal. Even then, that only gives a small window of opportunity to Sacramento, as the first good offer the Maloofs get means they are out of here.
I'm praying the Anaheim deal falls through. Its Sacramento's only chance at this point. Who knows if Sacramento will be able to build an arena. I will be really angry if they get one, after the team's left (although I think we need one). We just kept acting like Sacramento was MSE's only option for the last 14 years, even though other cities have come courting for some time now.
Not only that, but there is absolutely no gurantee to the Taylor/ICON study. It may come back and say an arena just can't be done right now. Further, even if they present options to the city for how to raise the public funds, that still doesn't guarantee the city will be giving a guaranteed commitment of funding any time soon. Personally, I don't know why anyone thinks the Maloofs should have any more faith that this city study will lead to anything concrete. Until I see it, I'm not convinced this city will actually commit funds.
Also, the franchise is a private business. They don't have to be any more open than any other business. They actually been more forthcoming than most private businesses would ever be.
We know everything we need to know right now, anyway. Anaheim is their first choice, if MSE gets the deal they want. Staying in Sacramento is only going to happen, if Anaheim doesn't come up with a good enough deal. Even then, that only gives a small window of opportunity to Sacramento, as the first good offer the Maloofs get means they are out of here.
I'm praying the Anaheim deal falls through. Its Sacramento's only chance at this point. Who knows if Sacramento will be able to build an arena. I will be really angry if they get one, after the team's left (although I think we need one). We just kept acting like Sacramento was MSE's only option for the last 14 years, even though other cities have come courting for some time now.
They practically have but you and majority of others preferred to ignore it. When the talk of other cities approaching Maloof about a possible move broke early in the season and well before the All-Star break, the Maloofs came out and said they have consider all of their options, yet ignorance is a bliss! If that wasn't an ultimatum then I don't know what is.
If they came out any more forcefully than that, then we would have the same people pissed at Maloofs for giving them an ultimatum. Damned if they do and damned if they don't!
If they came out any more forcefully than that, then we would have the same people pissed at Maloofs for giving them an ultimatum. Damned if they do and damned if they don't!