Staying or going? Latest rumors, thoughts, etc.
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It seems like this is getting down to the wire and a report can come at any minute that a sale to Seattle is official.
I think that in order to save this, the folks in Sac needs to cause a huge ruckus where the NBA and David Stern would look very very bad on a PR standpoint.
I know some believe that Stern is on Sac's side, but the honest truth as someone looking at it from a non bias standpoint outside of Sac, Stern is just going to do what benefits himself and the league, PR wise and financially. If anyone really thinks Stern and Clay Bennett has a soft spot for Sacramento, then you are not facing reality.
Do not for a second, believe that Stern will make it right. Don't wait, do something and cause this "ruckus" before it's too late. I'll tell you guys, the media outside of Sac doesn't really care that much about the situation.
There is nothing more than very basic brief mentions about the Sac/Seattle situation the whole day on local sports radio and I believe its the same in other non involved cities as well. David Stern knows that and it will be very easy for him to put a PR spin on it like "this is what the owners of the team wants" or "we tried with Sacramento but the owners didn't want it, so now we have to move on"... because no one outside of Sac really knows the facts and no one cares unless it hurts them.
There won't really be anyone hating Stern outside of Sac because most people don't care enough to even read into the details when it doesn't concern their own team.
Somehow some way, Stern and the NBA has to be put on the spot publicly on a goodwill PR standpoint. Thats the only way they will do the "right" thing.
Sorry to say, but I don't think pre-selling out the arena will do any good right now. I'm not saying don't do it, as it does show support. But it's not going to be the thing that makes Stern actually do something.
It still comes down to... WHATS IN IT FOR STERN AND NBA between the team staying or going to Seattle.
I think that in order to save this, the folks in Sac needs to cause a huge ruckus where the NBA and David Stern would look very very bad on a PR standpoint.
I know some believe that Stern is on Sac's side, but the honest truth as someone looking at it from a non bias standpoint outside of Sac, Stern is just going to do what benefits himself and the league, PR wise and financially. If anyone really thinks Stern and Clay Bennett has a soft spot for Sacramento, then you are not facing reality.
Do not for a second, believe that Stern will make it right. Don't wait, do something and cause this "ruckus" before it's too late. I'll tell you guys, the media outside of Sac doesn't really care that much about the situation.
There is nothing more than very basic brief mentions about the Sac/Seattle situation the whole day on local sports radio and I believe its the same in other non involved cities as well. David Stern knows that and it will be very easy for him to put a PR spin on it like "this is what the owners of the team wants" or "we tried with Sacramento but the owners didn't want it, so now we have to move on"... because no one outside of Sac really knows the facts and no one cares unless it hurts them.
There won't really be anyone hating Stern outside of Sac because most people don't care enough to even read into the details when it doesn't concern their own team.
Somehow some way, Stern and the NBA has to be put on the spot publicly on a goodwill PR standpoint. Thats the only way they will do the "right" thing.
Sorry to say, but I don't think pre-selling out the arena will do any good right now. I'm not saying don't do it, as it does show support. But it's not going to be the thing that makes Stern actually do something.
It still comes down to... WHATS IN IT FOR STERN AND NBA between the team staying or going to Seattle.
You are assuming Stern/BOG will save you. If I were you, I wouldn't wait till the BOG vote to cause that ruckus.
Once it goes to the BOG.. they won't block a sale of a franchise for $525 million.
These BOGs all have personal agendas. The best bet is to force Stern to do something soon to slow the train.
Once it goes to the BOG.. they won't block a sale of a franchise for $525 million.
These BOGs all have personal agendas. The best bet is to force Stern to do something soon to slow the train.
Another interesting takeaway from the Aldrich piece it the idea that even if a larger offer came from Sac the Maloofs may not take it. It has been clear for sometime the Maloofs were bent on moving the team and that pay out was only one of the motives. I have observed that they do not seem to be operating from a purely rational set of motives. I don't know if it is personal and they want to punish Sac, or if they want to be know as the last owners of the Kings or if they just want to hold on to a fragment of the team and feel secure in going to games with out the fans loathing them. or who knows what, but the point is that the rational argument needs to be made to the NBA owners and Stern to keep the team in Sac and peopel need to realize they are NOT dealing with fully rational people here.
The thing is, it isn't under the Maloof's control. They can negotiate a deal, but if the BOG thinks a sale for a similar offer that keeps the Kings in Sacramento (and has a new stadium "on the way", to boot), they can reject the sale to Seattle and give them an expansion team when the new arena up there is complete.
uh oh.
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
KJ needs to move quickly to get a legit buyer and make a hard pitch, and/or get a guarantee from the #NBA on a future team. #NBAKings
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
KJ will have to show he has the financing figured out, approved, an owner with deep pockets, land, etc, etc...time in running out. #NBAKings
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
High Level NBA League type tells me Kings-to-#Seattle a "high intensity situation".
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
#Seattle took 12-24 months to figure that all out, and it appears Mayor KJ may have days, or weeks. #NBAKings
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
KJ needs to move quickly to get a legit buyer and make a hard pitch, and/or get a guarantee from the #NBA on a future team. #NBAKings
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
KJ will have to show he has the financing figured out, approved, an owner with deep pockets, land, etc, etc...time in running out. #NBAKings
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
High Level NBA League type tells me Kings-to-#Seattle a "high intensity situation".
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
#Seattle took 12-24 months to figure that all out, and it appears Mayor KJ may have days, or weeks. #NBAKings
Can someone explain difference in the voting of full BofG vs. voting of seven member (headed by Clay Bennett) relocation Committee of the NBA? I heard that both are involved in approving or rejecting sale of a franchise, if relocation also involved. In other words, both will require majority votes if Maloofs sale is to party planning to relocate Kings - with Commish Stern in advisory role.
Aldridge really hasn't done his homework on all this. Sales have to be approved by the league and if a bona fide offer from a local group is made, it's more likely than not that the NBA will strongly urge the Maloofs to accept it. And, contrary to the opinion of a lot of folks around here, I think George will look at what brings the Maloofs the most money.
Another thought I had was that this finally explains why George did an about-face on the arena deal. See if this makes sense: The Maloofs are ready to commit to the deal when Chris Hansen contacts them and says he'll working on getting a new arena in Seattle and that if George gives him a bit more time, he'll make them a better offer. George, always looking for one more $ in a deal, realizes that if they make the deal with Sacramento they will not be able to move it because of the 30-year clause. Hence, George backs out to keep their options open. Only later does he realize the better offer entails selling the Kings to Hansen.
I also have to agree with Bricklayer about the historic importance of this franchise. The Royals/Kings are an original. Somehow it just doesn't sit right to have them disappear so that Seattle can pretend that the Kings, with the wave of some kind of magic wand, would become the Sonics. They're not the Sonics, just like a new team coming to Sacramento would not be the Kings.
Another thought I had was that this finally explains why George did an about-face on the arena deal. See if this makes sense: The Maloofs are ready to commit to the deal when Chris Hansen contacts them and says he'll working on getting a new arena in Seattle and that if George gives him a bit more time, he'll make them a better offer. George, always looking for one more $ in a deal, realizes that if they make the deal with Sacramento they will not be able to move it because of the 30-year clause. Hence, George backs out to keep their options open. Only later does he realize the better offer entails selling the Kings to Hansen.
I also have to agree with Bricklayer about the historic importance of this franchise. The Royals/Kings are an original. Somehow it just doesn't sit right to have them disappear so that Seattle can pretend that the Kings, with the wave of some kind of magic wand, would become the Sonics. They're not the Sonics, just like a new team coming to Sacramento would not be the Kings.
i hate to say it buy i agree for a few reasons.
-Seattle ownership group has DEEP pockets
-NBA wants to fix the Seattle situation
-KJ doesnt have a lot of time to set up a deal that can compete with Seattle
-some online pledges of season tickets for the future in Sacramento is not going to sway the NBA into picking Sacramento
-Seattle ownership group has DEEP pockets
-NBA wants to fix the Seattle situation
-KJ doesnt have a lot of time to set up a deal that can compete with Seattle
-some online pledges of season tickets for the future in Sacramento is not going to sway the NBA into picking Sacramento
There's nothing new here. And, for the record, Kevin Johnson hasn't been sitting on his hands, whistling and waiting for the Maloofs to make a move. It's pretty well known that he has remained in contact with potential investors/buyers.
There's a ton of crap floating around on twitter right now by anyone who can spell KINGS. Seeing it on Twitter doesn't make it true.
There's a ton of crap floating around on twitter right now by anyone who can spell KINGS. Seeing it on Twitter doesn't make it true.
Another group of investors have surfaced with a plan "to buy the [Kings] and build a $400 million arena" in downtown Sacramento.
David Stern said recently that Sacramento investors should have a chance to match the offer from Seattle, led by Chris Hansen, and numerous potential owners have surfaced in the past few days. Rotoworld's Aaron Bruski has said along that there was no imminent deal with Seattle. "Sacramento is the favorite to keep the Kings in my eyes," Bruski wrote on Sunday, "based on conversations with sources close to the situation." Stay tuned.
Source: Sacramento Bee Jan 13 - 10:16 AM
http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/nba/196860/sacramento-investors-surface-w-kings-offers
David Stern said recently that Sacramento investors should have a chance to match the offer from Seattle, led by Chris Hansen, and numerous potential owners have surfaced in the past few days. Rotoworld's Aaron Bruski has said along that there was no imminent deal with Seattle. "Sacramento is the favorite to keep the Kings in my eyes," Bruski wrote on Sunday, "based on conversations with sources close to the situation." Stay tuned.
Source: Sacramento Bee Jan 13 - 10:16 AM
http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/nba/196860/sacramento-investors-surface-w-kings-offers
You don't know what KJ might or might not have. You're making a lot of assumptions that are way too based on twitter rumors. You do not know that the NBA wants to fix the Seattle situation over keeping the Kings in Sacramento. It's all speculation.
The Seattle group may have deep pockets but they are NOT going to overspend for a train-wreck franchise. There is a price above which Chris Hansen will not go. He's not rich because he spent too much money for things.
Are we going to keep the Kings? There's no way to know but I'll tell you one thing. It doesn't cost any more to hold out hope than it does to give up the fight. Look at it this way: If everyone still keeps the faith and fights the best they can, we could keep the Kings. If we all give up, they're gone. Would you rather look back and say you gave it all you could or wonder if you should/could have done more?
KJ didn't quit last time and that's the only reason we aren't hearing about the Anaheim Royals.
The Seattle group may have deep pockets but they are NOT going to overspend for a train-wreck franchise. There is a price above which Chris Hansen will not go. He's not rich because he spent too much money for things.
Are we going to keep the Kings? There's no way to know but I'll tell you one thing. It doesn't cost any more to hold out hope than it does to give up the fight. Look at it this way: If everyone still keeps the faith and fights the best they can, we could keep the Kings. If we all give up, they're gone. Would you rather look back and say you gave it all you could or wonder if you should/could have done more?
KJ didn't quit last time and that's the only reason we aren't hearing about the Anaheim Royals.
I, too, believe that the NBA should take advantage of this situation and allow an expansion team to be formed for either Seattle (makes more sense) or Sacramento. But I don't think the NBA WANTS to expand. I think the magic number for the NBA is 30 teams, and especially with the recent talk of contraction (which would never happen) I think it is pretty clear that the sentiment around the NBA is that expansion is not the answer.
I think the NBA would rather make the most value out of the current franchises they have, and looking at this from a STRICTLY business standpoint (I love the Kings, but I'll say this without bias) you'd rather have the Seattle ownership and team. A combined ~20 billion dollar ownership (more than the Kings will be able to find), a better media market, and better local corporate opportunities just makes more sense BUSINESS-wise. I wish this weren't the case, because we all know a team can succeed in Sacramento with good owners, but our recent lack of success and attendance will only make it easier for the BoG to move us.
I think the NBA would rather make the most value out of the current franchises they have, and looking at this from a STRICTLY business standpoint (I love the Kings, but I'll say this without bias) you'd rather have the Seattle ownership and team. A combined ~20 billion dollar ownership (more than the Kings will be able to find), a better media market, and better local corporate opportunities just makes more sense BUSINESS-wise. I wish this weren't the case, because we all know a team can succeed in Sacramento with good owners, but our recent lack of success and attendance will only make it easier for the BoG to move us.
You don't give enough credit to Daniels; he has been VERY fair throughout this saga. He could have easily taken the gung-ho Seattle view, dismissing any Sacramento advance, but he has been as unbiased as a Seattle fan can be IMO. The truth most likely IS somewhere in between, but if its 50/50 from Bruski, and 90/10 from Daniels, the middle-ground is still very much in Seattle's favor.
This was on the local news last night. It involves the Downtown Plaza, which was purchased for a measly $22 million. It has room for an arena AND the infrastructure for light rail, parking, etc. is already somewhat in place. The new plaza owners are not interested in buying the team but they have stated publicly that they are more than interested in building an arena and partnering with the new owners of the Kings.
please correct me if I'm wrong. But the NBA can't force anything.
They could block/reject the sale to seattle.... meaning the Maloofs would still own the team Right?
The maloofs could then say, ok we'll sit on our hands for a few more years. They can't force them to sell to a local investor, i thought that was one of the things quashed after they nixed the latest arena deal.
They could block/reject the sale to seattle.... meaning the Maloofs would still own the team Right?
The maloofs could then say, ok we'll sit on our hands for a few more years. They can't force them to sell to a local investor, i thought that was one of the things quashed after they nixed the latest arena deal.
KJ seems to be really pushing the Mastrov group, even sitting courtside with him at the Heat game, so I believe that the "official" Sacramento bid will be focused around Mastrov (unless Burkle is still in the picture along with this group). Greg Van Dusen's plan is to renovate Arco/Sleep Train, which honestly doesn't make any sense. The NBA wants a NEW arena, not a renovated Arco.
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