After the vote...then what?

[menziebr]

Like you all, I've spent the last couple weeks furiously scouring the internet for any scrap of news about the BOG vote, and I do feel pretty good about our chances. That said, I've been stuck wondering about a hypothetical scenario that hasn't gotten very much discussion lately (i.e., since Vivek got involved). What if the BOG approves the sale and, while not saying so outright, indicates behind closed doors that Sacramento is the first in line for an expansion team when the ESC is finished?

I ask because it seems fairly obvious what happens if Seattle gets denied - they scream about Stern, Silver begins quietly pushing expansion to Seattle, and in the meantime Hansen picks up the phone and dials up Indy, Milwaukee, etc. In other words, I feel very confident that with the amount of money Hansen-Ballmer have put on the table and toward an arena, they will keep pursuing a team until they get one, and if I were a Seattle fan, I would be very confident about the prospects for Sonics basketball in the next couple years.

What about us? Has anyone asked KJ or the whales what the plan is as far as the ESC absent a guaranteed team? Because that seems like the key to all of this - build it, and we have a very compelling case for an expansion team (I doubt we could go buy another team). But would the whales stick around to work on the arena? I know Burkle is still putting capital into the rest of the project (the parts not regarding the arena or team), but what about the rest of them? Seems likely that it would take a pretty strong indication from the NBA that a team would be forthcoming in order to keep them around. Then again, Burkle stuck around despite the Maloofs making it clear they didn't want to sell to him. Is Vivek awesome enough to play that game with KJ?

Thoughts?

 

[Jose]

Like you all, I've spent the last couple weeks furiously scouring the internet for any scrap of news about the BOG vote, and I do feel pretty good about our chances. That said, I've been stuck wondering about a hypothetical scenario that hasn't gotten very much discussion lately (i.e., since Vivek got involved). What if the BOG approves the sale and, while not saying so outright, indicates behind closed doors that Sacramento is the first in line for an expansion team when the ESC is finished?

I ask because it seems fairly obvious what happens if Seattle gets denied - they scream about Stern, Silver begins quietly pushing expansion to Seattle, and in the meantime Hansen picks up the phone and dials up Indy, Milwaukee, etc. In other words, I feel very confident that with the amount of money Hansen-Ballmer have put on the table and toward an arena, they will keep pursuing a team until they get one, and if I were a Seattle fan, I would be very confident about the prospects for Sonics basketball in the next couple years.

What about us? Has anyone asked KJ or the whales what the plan is as far as the ESC absent a guaranteed team? Because that seems like the key to all of this - build it, and we have a very compelling case for an expansion team (I doubt we could go buy another team). But would the whales stick around to work on the arena? I know Burkle is still putting capital into the rest of the project (the parts not regarding the arena or team), but what about the rest of them? Seems likely that it would take a pretty strong indication from the NBA that a team would be forthcoming in order to keep them around. Then again, Burkle stuck around despite the Maloofs making it clear they didn't want to sell to him. Is Vivek awesome enough to play that game with KJ?

Thoughts?

There is no ESC without a guaranteed anchor tenant. If the Kings go, there is no ESC and it is the end of the NBA in this market.

However, that's not happening. so after the vote:

- We celebrate
- Start moving on the ESC
- Hansen moves on and tries to steal another team unless they guarantee him an expansion

Don't think for a minute that the NBA would not love to have Hansen go after another team like Milwakee with another record offer. He has single-handedly raised the value of NBA franchises with his ridiculous offer for the Kings.

 

[VF21]

There is no ESC without a guaranteed anchor tenant. If the Kings go, there is no ESC and it is the end of the NBA in this market.

However, that's not happening. so after the vote:

- We celebrate
- Start moving on the ESC
- Hansen moves on and tries to steal another team unless they guarantee him an expansion

Don't think for a minute that the NBA would not love to have Hansen go after another team like Milwakee with another record offer. He has single-handedly raised the value of NBA franchises with his ridiculous offer for the Kings.

This.

 

[Darth Divac]

If they go, everyone on this site will have their nervous systems spontaneously ignite. If they DO stay, though.....then...why, then...we'll be a...a...a normal fanbase....good lord, how far we've come......

 

[VF21]

If they go, everyone on this site will have their nervous systems spontaneously ignite. If they DO stay, though.....then...why, then...we'll be a...a...a normal fanbase....good lord, how far we've come......

Don't kid yourself. We'll never be normal.

 

[Sac.1989]

Never. however this huge fog being our arena situation/ownership will be removed and we can all hope and dream again. Can you remember what that was like. God we'll never be normal and its been awhile but ill have to pinch myself continuously to make sure its a reality.

 

[Spike]

Don't kid yourself. We'll never be normal.

*like*

 

[HereWeStay]

id say im normal

 

[whozit]

Don't kid yourself. We'll never be normal.

Darn right. My insanity is the only thing that keeps me sane!

 

[bajaden]

id say im normal

Thats a debate you don't want to have!

 

[bajaden]

Darn right. My insanity is the only thing that keeps me sane!

In the book, "I'am Legend" There's only one normal person left on earth, while the rest of the world has turned into a group of Zombie Vampires. So tell me then, just who is normal!

 

[Bricklayer]

In the book, "I'am Legend" There's only one normal person left on earth, while the rest of the world has turned into a group of Zombie Vampires. So tell me then, just who is normal!

Me, after I get done slaughtering every single last former human on the planet one by one.

I ain't wasting no time talking to no mannequins either.

 

[Rookie]

Me, after I get done slaughtering every single last former human on the planet one by one.

I ain't wasting no time talking to no mannequins either.

But you have time for Wilson.

 

[Kingster]

Like you all, I've spent the last couple weeks furiously scouring the internet for any scrap of news about the BOG vote, and I do feel pretty good about our chances. That said, I've been stuck wondering about a hypothetical scenario that hasn't gotten very much discussion lately (i.e., since Vivek got involved). What if the BOG approves the sale and, while not saying so outright, indicates behind closed doors that Sacramento is the first in line for an expansion team when the ESC is finished?

I ask because it seems fairly obvious what happens if Seattle gets denied - they scream about Stern, Silver begins quietly pushing expansion to Seattle, and in the meantime Hansen picks up the phone and dials up Indy, Milwaukee, etc. In other words, I feel very confident that with the amount of money Hansen-Ballmer have put on the table and toward an arena, they will keep pursuing a team until they get one, and if I were a Seattle fan, I would be very confident about the prospects for Sonics basketball in the next couple years.

What about us? Has anyone asked KJ or the whales what the plan is as far as the ESC absent a guaranteed team? Because that seems like the key to all of this - build it, and we have a very compelling case for an expansion team (I doubt we could go buy another team). But would the whales stick around to work on the arena? I know Burkle is still putting capital into the rest of the project (the parts not regarding the arena or team), but what about the rest of them? Seems likely that it would take a pretty strong indication from the NBA that a team would be forthcoming in order to keep them around. Then again, Burkle stuck around despite the Maloofs making it clear they didn't want to sell to him. Is Vivek awesome enough to play that game with KJ?

Thoughts?

If the NBA awards the team to Seattle, think the worst possible outcome in terms of the psychology of this city, it's job creating potential, and future growth. We will be stuck in the mire for years and years. The "can't do" mentallity will reign supreme; the collective inferiority complex will resume it's throne. If they award the team to Sacramento, think the opposite. Normally, very drastic comparisons are over the top and unrealistic, but I don't think so in this case. This decision is HUGE.

 

[Jose]

If the NBA awards the team to Seattle, think the worst possible outcome in terms of the psychology of this city, it's job creating potential, and future growth. We will be stuck in the mire for years and years. The "can't do" mentallity will reign supreme; the collective inferiority complex will resume it's throne. If they award the team to Sacramento, think the opposite. Normally, very drastic comparisons are over the top and unrealistic, but I don't think so in this case. This decision is HUGE.

So HUGE that saying it's "HUGE" is an understatement. The new era of the Kings and the revitalization of downtown will TRANSFORM this city and its culture in ways that a lot of people cannot understand. If they did, there would be absolutely ZERO opposition to this.

 

[Kingster]

So HUGE that saying it's "HUGE" is an understatement. The new era of the Kings and the revitalization of downtown will TRANSFORM this city and its culture in ways that a lot of people cannot understand. If they did, there would be absolutely ZERO opposition to this.

Yes, and you use the word, "culture", which is right on the money. If this arena goes through , and these huge movers and shakers like Burkle, Mastrov, Vivek, Jacobs, et al become a part of the body politic, they could go a long ways to breaking through the bureaucratic inertia of this city. Ok, how about HUGE SQUARED?

 

[Kingsfan23]

Still worry that the Maloofs are not going to make it easy once the NBA voids Hansen/Ballmer's bid.. Is there a reason why on there letter to the NBA about how they preferred Seattle's offer they were worried about 'leverage to aggressively renegotiate' with Sacramento?

 

[Section 101]

Still worry that the Maloofs are not going to make it easy once the NBA voids Hansen/Ballmer's bid.. Is there a reason why on there letter to the NBA about how they preferred Seattle's offer they were worried about 'leverage to aggressively renegotiate' with Sacramento?

Stern said at the press conference he considers the Sacramento bid binding. That means it goes both ways. It could be a cause for the league to take over the team.

 

[uolj]

Stern said at the press conference he considers the Sacramento bid binding. That means it goes both ways.

Not necessarily. It very well could just mean that the Sac investors must follow through with it, not necessarily that the Maloofs have to. Remember, the Maloofs didn't counter-sign it (at least not at the time of the meetings and Stern's press conference).

 

[funkykingston]

So HUGE that saying it's "HUGE" is an understatement. The new era of the Kings and the revitalization of downtown will TRANSFORM this city and its culture in ways that a lot of people cannot understand. If they did, there would be absolutely ZERO opposition to this.

I think Stern's thinking must be revolving in large part around the narratives that this decision will write for both cities.

Seattle getting back its Sonics and building a new arena would certainly add to an already great city but not having the NBA or an arena wouldn't be devastating - to diehard former Sonics fans sure, but not to the city at large.

On the other hand, the difference to Sacramento of having the Kings vs not having them is MUCH more stark.

If the team leaves it means not only job loss, but no development downtown, stunted growth, a loss of identity and a crumbling Sleep Train Arena left as a reminder to the league and the city of what could have been.

On the other hand, the team staying would mean MASSIVE downtown development and employment opportunities, and a chance for an enormous success story for the NBA. They could point to Sacramento as a model for how the NBA can partner with a city to build something amazing together. It's an incredibly compelling story to be able to tell.

Yes, Hansen/Ballmer would make an amazing ownership group and the NBA would like to revisit the Seattle market and definitely don't want to permanently alienate that fanbase by ripping their hearts out a second time but I think the reality is that there WILL eventually be a team in Seattle again.

But this is a make or break decision for Sacramento. This is all or nothing. And Stern knows that.

 

[macadocious]

After the show it's the afterparty, then
After the party it's the hotel lobby, then
After the Belve then it's probably Cris
And after the original it's probably this

 

[VF21]

I think Stern's thinking must be revolving in large part around the narratives that this decision will write for both cities.

Seattle getting back its Sonics and building a new arena would certainly add to an already great city but not having the NBA or an arena wouldn't be devastating - to diehard former Sonics fans sure, but not to the city at large.

On the other hand, the difference to Sacramento of having the Kings vs not having them is MUCH more stark.

If the team leaves it means not only job loss, but no development downtown, stunted growth, a loss of identity and a crumbling Sleep Train Arena left as a reminder to the league and the city of what could have been.

On the other hand, the team staying would mean MASSIVE downtown development and employment opportunities, and a chance for an enormous success story for the NBA. They could point to Sacramento as a model for how the NBA can partner with a city to build something amazing together. It's an incredibly compelling story to be able to tell.

Yes, Hansen/Ballmer would make an amazing ownership group and the NBA would like to revisit the Seattle market and definitely don't want to permanently alienate that fanbase by ripping their hearts out a second time but I think the reality is that there WILL eventually be a team in Seattle again.

But this is a make or break decision for Sacramento. This is all or nothing. And Stern knows that.

And this cannot be emphasized enough. David Stern does not want the lasting image of his legacy to be one of a city devastated economically by the removal of their NBA team when said city has done absolutely everything asked of it to keep the team in town.

 

[kingjatt]

And this cannot be emphasized enough. David Stern does not want the lasting image of his legacy to be one of a city devastated economically by the removal of their NBA team when said city has done absolutely everything asked of it to keep the team in town.

not to mention that sacramento was Sterns first Relocation and has been one of the many things he point to as a success during his tenure, we were/are the model small market sucess story that ran into some bad luck(magoofs) and im sure stern is smart enough to realize what the goofs are trying to pull here.

The same vision for sacramento KJ sees now is what Stern saw back then, If the kings leave it will be strictly on david stern for allowing it to happen as he will have no excuse like he did with seattle (frank chopp telling him to eff off).


I have faith that the BOG and stern will take into account everything the goofs have done and make the right and sesible decsion.