Here are my unvarnished notes from the show, quite well done, I must say.
Hearts vs. heads, loyalty issues in the NBA
The next two months will be the last hoops we see for a while
Rabidly supported the team, may have seen their last game ever.
A quote from KJ about the BOG
Westfall says thanks
Emotional kings broadcasters
Panel of experts
Grant Napier, Leigh Steinberg, Rich Worrel, Marcos Breton
Breton: Its not a foregone conclusion that they are gone.
A playoff going on for an NBA team, the Kings. BOG, determined that Anaheim isn’t ready.
Try to determine which city can host an NBA team
KJ is suiting up again,
Steinberg: Instrumental in saving the SF Giants in a similar situation. Saved it at the last minute.
They say its your team when its convenient, but it’s a private biz when its not.
Love the Maloofs, were able to save the As as well.
Napier: for the last few yrs at the bottom of fan attendance.
Its NOT about the fans, its about the Arena.
U2 and the Rolling Stones are saying no
New building they stay
Horrow: It all depends on money. It’s a public-private partnership issue, quite difficult.
3-4 mill people, twice as big as Sacramento, divide mkt into three
Breton: To move not in the Maloofs character. Rumors that they have money problems. They would have to pay $77 mill to move, loaned $50 mill from Samueli, in deep with the Palms lenders and have borrowed from the NBA. They are forced to make this move and a cash infusion and TV contract makes it feasible.
Problem: There is no TV contract done. Difficult to complete in a matter of weeks, with a gun to their head. Financial pressures are driving this situation.
Steinberg: Rumors of moving causes attendance to drop. A private biz is pt of the civic fabric, then it talks about moving. Irony, 3 NBA, 2 MLS, 2 Hocky, and no football teams, Have to be very careful here. Problem: If we want to keep pro sports healthy, we need to fund the team and keep them there. If not, we undercut the whole concept. Anaheim can support the team, but what about Sacremento? Their hearts and minds?
Breton: Attendance went up when the Kings were rumored of moving, people have been mobilized
Napier: The City is divided. The City hasn’t delivered with sports, not even AAA baseball. Product bad, tough to support. Had a lot of civic rallies. Need to keep focused on the situation KJ needs to deliver on the promise of a new arena..
Sonicsgate guy Reid: Don’t give up hope, can always get a team, FIX THE ARENA
Reid: NBA set the precident, can move without a good arena. The NBA is not doing the best thing in the interest of the fans. How much responsibility is in the fans? Seattle supported the team for 44 yrs. They are not respecting the fans, they led a movement to save the Sonics. Are you OK with a team from another city comes, say New Orleans? The movie was made to bring the NBA back to Seattle. The NBA has set the precident, so they would accept the Hornets. The NBA has created this problem, with the Seattle move.
Horrow: Don’t use the word ‘steal’! History is involved with the plan in Olkahoma City, this wasn’t built for an NBA team. He understands how to play one city against another. City puts the public-private partnership together. See the excitement after their win in Game 1.
Steinberg: Is it a good time to move when a lockout/contraction? SoCal can support the Royals, they have the right type of support. Once you start moving franchises, but it becomes very difficult to get fan loyalty. Its not like a college you went to. Saved the Giants, but it is too little, too late for Sac? Competition for the NBA is other entertainment options, we have to think about how you maintain the fan base, don’t rip out their hearts!!
Napier: There’s two weeks to go, this the only show in town, this becomes a minor league city.
Brenton: the NBA loses if this city loses. NBA is king here, a regional franchise, area is depressed right now, city wants the team to stay!
Reid: in Seattle want to bring a team back!! Rooting for Denver against Okl City
Steinberg: We have a different sports fan now, father to son chain has to be nurtured to keep the fandom alive.