The $77M comes due when the team moves out of Sleep Train, which is why there was talk about refinancing under the handshake agreement that got Georged. The difference comes from the fact that the city of Sacramento has already shown a willingness to refinance that $77M at favorable terms (but yes, collateral required) - but that offer is only going to apply to a local owner investing in a downtown arena. Seattle would have to pay that up front (though they can finance it however they wish). A local owner would not have to pay it up front, number one because Sacramento would help finance it, and number two because the team would still be playing in Sleep Train for another 2-3 years while the arena was being built (and they'd be making the same payments on that loan the Maloofs are now). So being a local owner does mean less up front money. It does get paid out eventually, yes, but a local buyer would also have a revenue stream (the team) that would raise the money over time. They don't have to have that $77M in pocket, so they can be a bit less rich and still put in a competitive offer.