A new week and other news, rumors, etc.

[whozit]

Maybe, maybe not. The NBA can't/wont make expansion an official topic until after the new TV deal is done. I am not sure of any legal ramifications but they may well not be able or willing to discuss any official or unofficial plans or offers for expansion. This could end oddly with questions hanging: eg Seattle pulls offer Sac gets team and vague comments of "good luck next time" come from the NBA. Meanwhile rumors of expansion whirl and Hansen works on his arena deal.

I'm not sure how that part would work. They could continue to work on some of the preliminary stuff like environmental impact study but I was under the impression that the City's agreement was tied to Hansen having a team. No team, no arena?

 

[HndsmCelt]

I'm not sure how that part would work. They could continue to work on some of the preliminary stuff like environmental impact study but I was under the impression that the City's agreement was tied to Hansen having a team. No team, no arena?

The so called load from Seattle is 200 mill and yes it is contengent on getting BOTH an NBA and NHL team. In addition the second he takes a dime of that money he will be back in court when groups charge that the deal violates Washington States I 90 law. He "will have some splainin to do"

 

[VF21]

Do you have a specific source? Just wondering because I'm going insane...

There aren't any specific sources because this is, no matter who is doing the telling, still speculation. NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE. There can be industry insiders who are pretty well convinced this can only go one way, but until the relocation/finance committee makes its recommendation, there truly is nothing to leak. And, as we've said before, until the vote by the BoG is cast and counted, anything could happen.

We're all on pins and needles and we're all trying to find even the tiniest of threads to grab onto to get our answers. In today's world of instant gratification and 24 hours news, it's just hard to accept that some thing still take time.

Believe me, when the news breaks, the collective sigh of relief heard from Kings fans all over the world will possibly cause a slight shift in the global temperature. And after that? I'm looking forward to partying like it's 1999.

 

[Bricklayer]

Bankers Life Fieldhouse here in Indianapolis has been the template for most of Beckett's new arena designs. The Barclay & Sprint Centers along with the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte were taken from the template here in Indy. Looking at the renderings, I can see many elements of both our Beckett venues (Bankers Life & Lucas Oil Stadium). I know the windows are a call to BLF here, but there are other things in the renderings that point directly to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Noted that too. Windows from Indianapolis, which are cool. Gap in seating from Barclay's, which is cool. Like the steep balconies if done, to keep fans right on top of it. looks old school, college (of course my college arena was the Palestra, so of course I'm going to like those sorts of touches:

 

[LPKingsFan]

noted that too. Windows from indianapolis, which are cool. Gap in seating from barclay's, which is cool. Like the steep balconies if done, to keep fans right on top of it. Looks old school, college (of course my college arena was the palestra, so of course i'm going to like those sorts of touches:

but where are the luxury boxes??

 

[Gary]

Latest from Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5

Steve Ballmer today on #NBAKings "Seattle's got a great bid, we got a great arena plan, I think the better arena plan..." Ballmer continued: "...we've got a good offer, been accepted by current owners, we got a great market..." Ballmer (cont): "...would seem like there will never be a better opportunity, but it'll be up to the NBA Owners." #NBAKings

Per @ChrisDaniels5 ---- I could be wrong on this, but that may be the most Steve Ballmer has ever said publicly on this issue. #NBAKings #NBASeattle


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Sounds kind of like something you say when you know it isn't going to go your way.. I am sure I am reading too much into that.

What Ballmer doesn't realize is that he needed to focus on why Sacramento wouldn't be a good place to have an NBA team. I don't believe he did.

 

[VF21]

Latest from Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5

Steve Ballmer today on #NBAKings "Seattle's got a great bid, we got a great arena plan, I think the better arena plan..."

Sacramento has matched the bid. Which arena plan is "better" is subjective at this point.

Ballmer continued: "...we've got a good offer, been accepted by current owners, we got a great market..."

Our offer is just as good. Saying anything about the current owners, who have a trail of lies and deceit in their wake, isn't a positive. Great market? What about loyalty and fan support? Our numbers are better, we don't have other professional teams competing for the fan sports dollar AND we didn't just lose out on a regional sports network deal.

Ballmer (cont): "...would seem like there will never be a better opportunity, but it'll be up to the NBA Owners."

Better opportunity for whom to do what? For you and Hansen to steal a team from a city that has done everything expected of it AND MORE?

Sounds kind of like something you say when you know it isn't going to go your way.. I am sure I am reading too much into that. What Ballmer doesn't realize is that he needed to focus on why Sacramento wouldn't be a good place to have an NBA team. I don't believe he did.

I think Ballmer is trying to convince himself that this is still a viable deal, while he knows deep down that Sacramento has tipped the scales completely. They took a shot by making a back-room deal with the world's sleaziest owners, hoping they could keep it quiet until it was too late for Sacramento to raise an acceptable alternative.

You made an excellent point. Ballmer and Hansen can't point the finger and convince the relocation committee that Sacramento no longer has the ability to be a good NBA market. And at the end of the day, that will tell the tale. In all my many sleepless nights, I have not been able to think of one valid reason the BoG could come up with to explain taking the team away after all the city, the fans AND the business community have done.

 

[VF21]

From Twitter:

Aaron Bruski ‏@aaronbruski 34s

RT @jonhumbert: JUST IN: Longshore Union filed appeal today over land use challenge for #seattlearena. No court date set yet.

 

[Kingsfan23]

So the recommendation will be given during Monday's conference call according to Aldridge, if I read correctly... that must mean that they already know what the answer will be now most likely, so I wonder how much these late manuvers mean?

 

[Jose]

From Twitter:

Aaron Bruski ‏@aaronbruski 34s

RT @jonhumbert: JUST IN: Longshore Union filed appeal today over land use challenge for #seattlearena. No court date set yet.

Timing is everything...

 

[Warhawk]

So the recommendation will be given during Monday's conference call according to Aldridge, if I read correctly... that must mean that they already know what the answer will be now most likely, so I wonder how much these late manuvers mean?

Probably they are leaning some way at this point. But it sounds like they had a LOT to review and consider. I wouldn't doubt that they will likely be working through the weekend to finalize their decision and summary of recommendations.

 

[Section 101]

Aaron Bruski ‏@aaronbruski 4h

Jim Thomas wanted to move the Kings, told Maloofs "good luck moving them" as he failed. SAC owners were concerned: http://twitdoc.com/1ZSM

Must read.

 

[VF21]

In Bob Cook's letter to the other partners, the part I found most interesting was this:

As I stated at our meeting last Sunday, I believe we should have a binding covenant in this transaction that states unequivocally that the Sacramento Kings shall not be moved from Sacramento. It is my opinion that Maguire Thomas's objective is to move the team to Southern California (Anaheim or San Bernardino). If this is not the case, Maguire Thomas should be willing to give us the covenant...

...UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES HILL I APPROVE AND SIGN THE NEW LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITHOUT A BINDING COVENANT NOT TO MOVE THE TEAM.

We have worked very hard since l978 to bring major league sports to Sacramento. Our Kings fans have shown tremendous loyalty and support, and we owe it to the people of Sacramento to demand a covenant not to move the team, or no deal.

Maguire Thomas was the name of the development firm in which Jim Thomas was a partner. That letter was written by Bob Cook in 1992. In 1997, Thomas made it clear that he was pursuing other locations for the team.

This article was published in the LA Times in 1997:

http://articles.latimes.com/1997-01-23/news/mn-21224_1_sacramento-kings

All of this just shows the long fight will soon be over. Part of the new arena deal includes a promise to keep the Kings in Sacramento for 35 years. For a lot of us old-time fans, we'll finally be able to exhale and not worry that the next owner to come along will again try to steal our team from us.

It's not over yet, but I am more and more convinced that Monday will be a day to celebrate as we'll hear (even if just informally) the news we've been waiting for.

 

[Turgenev]

Must read.

The attitude 'we will just move the team to a larger market and the rest will take care of itself' is a bit unfortunate. It undervalues the work of teams such as the Spurs, and overlooks the shortcomings of franchises such as the clippers and Knicks, who until this season- have paid a lot of money for woeful products.

To use Super Rugby (a Southern Hemisphere rugby comp) as an additional example, the most successful Australian rugby franchise has been the ACT Brumbies. The Brumbies are based in Canberra, which is home to politicians and uni students. Not much else.

The Waratahs (Sydney's team) have to compete with two soccer clubs, two AFL clubs, too many Rugby League clubs, cricket, a thriving arts scene, and a reasonable night life. Consequently, the Tahs often have problems with attendance and public interest.

Sacramento, provides unrivalled community and political support to its sports teams. It is a mistake to take that for granted.

 

[HereWeStay]

dave said the info will leak tomorrow

 

[Sac.1989]

Turgenev. Massive Brumbies fan here and the two cities Sacto and Canberra are very similar

 

[annihilator_33]

Dave did post some interesting stuff from an article the AP put out earlier....

Carmichael Dave ‏@CarmichaelDave 14m

Interesting comments from Stern on Maloof failures: "We've dealt with it on a case-by-case basis and Sacramento has been particularly vexing

Carmichael Dave ‏@CarmichaelDave 13m

..."as we've tried to balance the strong sense that we'd like to help our owner-clients out and at the same time have respect for the city

Carmichael Dave ‏@CarmichaelDave 14m

"so we now wind up where we are," "And presumably after we finish with this, the owners will take a long look at how we got here,"said Stern

Full article here....

Carmichael Dave ‏@CarmichaelDave 12m

Here's the AP link. Stern comments at the bottom. http://bigstory.ap.org/article/nba-committee-deciding-kings-fate-meet-monday …

 

[VF21]

From Twitter:

Carmichael Dave Carmichael Dave ‏@CarmichaelDave 14m

Interesting comments from Stern on Maloof failures: "We've dealt with it on a case-by-case basis and Sacramento has been particularly vexing

Carmichael Dave Carmichael Dave ‏@CarmichaelDave 13m

..."as we've tried to balance the strong sense that we'd like to help our owner-clients out and at the same time have respect for the city

Carmichael Dave ‏@CarmichaelDave 12m

"so we now wind up where we are," "And presumably after we finish with this, the owners will take a long look at how we got here,"said Stern

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Sounds like there are going to be some changes to the NBA bylaws to prevent future Maloofian endeavors.

 

[annihilator_33]

We both posted at the same time VF lol

 

[VF21]

We both posted at the same time VF lol

I saw that. Great minds...

You got the AP link, however, and I missed that.

Bottom line is I think David Stern will be very happy to see the Brothers Maloof fading into the background in his rear view mirror.

 

[Turgenev]

Turgenev. Massive Brumbies fan here and the two cities Sacto and Canberra are very similar

I support the Blues.

The Brumbies are having a great season and are playing really good Rugby.

Good luck for the rest of the season!

 

[HereWeStay]

i think stern told the bog this. the maloofs never intended to sell to the kings and tried to sell the team behind their backs. so me as the commissioner, im going to tell them this, if they do every thing we ask them to do the they will keep their team , if they dont, its simple, they lose their team, the choice is theirs.

is that why the maloofs wrote the letter?

 

[VF21]

i think stern told the bog this. the maloofs never intended to sell to the kings and tried to sell the team behind their backs. so me as the commissioner, im going to tell them this, if they do every thing we ask them to do the they will keep their team , if they dont, its simple, they lose their team, the choice is theirs.

is that why the maloofs wrote the letter?

What letter are you talking about?

 

[HereWeStay]

What letter are you talking about?

the maloofs sent a letter to the nba asking them to accept the sell..

 

[VF21]

the maloofs sent a letter to the nba asking them to accept the sell..

Yes, they did. They also stated their support for the sale to Seattle during the presentations by Seattle and Sacramento to the combined Relocation and Finance committees. No one really knows why the Maloofs do anything so it's mere speculation to try and figure out why they chose to send the letter.

Best guess is that whatever they do is an attempt to get the two sides into some kind of bidding war to get as much money for the Maloofs as possible at the end of the day. The Maloofs want their money. If they could also stick it to Kevin Johnson on the way out of town it would just be icing on the cake.

The Maloofs negotiated a sale to Hansen/Ballmer because they knew it would force Sacramento to either fold or come up with a competitive offer. In either case, the price tag on the Kings would be higher than it would be if they simply offered the team for sale to Sacramento. And if Sacramento didn't come up with an offer acceptable to the NBA, the Maloofs could sell the team to Seattle and go on their way.

As more and more information is forthcoming, it's becoming pretty apparent that the Maloofs ALWAYS intended to move the team to a more lucrative market. Unfortunately for them, the Kings were good for a couple of years and the Maloofs knew they would be unable to get approval to move a successful team from its current location.

Hence the slow but steady decline, the trading away of all our favorite players, the dismissal of one of the best coaches in the NBA, and a succession of lies and distortions.

It's all there for the reading, but until you actually put it all together in one area, as a lot of us have been doing here in the "Off the Court" forum, you just do not want to believe that it was happening.

Hopefully, though, this is all just about over. We will have our team, the Maloofs will have their money and be far, far away from Sacramento. We only have a few more days to wait...

 

[ParniValjak]

From Twitter:

Aaron Bruski ‏@aaronbruski 34s

RT @jonhumbert: JUST IN: Longshore Union filed appeal today over land use challenge for #seattlearena. No court date set yet.

If you are a Seattle group, that is just plain **** timing!

 

[VF21]

If you are a Seattle group, that is just plain **** timing!

Can't know for sure, of course, but you have to believe that a potential lawsuit from the Longshoremen would carry a lot more negative impact with the NBA than an "intent to file" lawsuit by a small group of Sacramento anti-arena folk.

 

[Glenn]

Carmichael Dave ‏@CarmichaelDave 12m

"so we now wind up where we are," "And presumably after we finish with this, the owners will take a long look at how we got here,"said Stern

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sounds like there are going to be some changes to the NBA bylaws to prevent future Maloofian endeavors.

They got where they are because the owners would not negotiate with the city and it might be that something could be added to the by-laws that gives the city first shot at retaining a team. Unfortunately that's for the future. The by-laws didn't anticipate what could have been a bidding war nor did they anticipate slimey owners who seem hell bent on screwing a city that has done nothing wrong.

To make a long story short, no city that has supported its team well should be left to the whims of owners who don't value that.

 

[HndsmCelt]

If you are a Seattle group, that is just plain **** timing!

Yes is is, but the looming I 90 suite is probably worse for them. I honestly do not they would actually be able to break ground in less than a year and maybe not even that soon.

 

[Jose]

They got where they are because the owners would not negotiate with the city and it might be that something could be added to the by-laws that gives the city first shot at retaining a team. Unfortunately that's for the future. The by-laws didn't anticipate what could have been a bidding war nor did they anticipate slimey owners who seem hell bent on screwing a city that has done nothing wrong.

To make a long story short, no city that has supported its team well should be left to the whims of owners who don't value that.

And I hope that, as I stated in a post a while ago, this means that the NBA will put out some FIRM guidelines as to how an owner needs to go about "exiting" the league. I know owners won't want to be told what they can and cannot do, but what happened here with the Clowns going behind the city and the league cannot be allowed to happen again. If nothing else, the league should require that a formal intent to sell (and target price?) be issued to the league BEFORE the owners engage on any discussions with interested parties. A "match" clause that helps protect an existing market would be nice too... maybe even with a "local" dicount ;-)