Ailene Voisin: Have a little faith in Maloofs' word

[Warhawk]

Finally, an article by AV I don't want to burn after reading:

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/2245748.html

Gavin Maloof not only confirmed that discussions have taken place, he acknowledged that, as has long been rumored, team president John Thomas toured HP Pavilion last February.

But then came the kicker: "Everybody in the world knows we need a new arena," Maloof said Saturday afternoon. "Owners are a small group. We all know each other. Yes, we've talked to other cities. We get calls all the time. But our message to everybody is the same. We want to stay in Sacramento, and we all want a solution to the arena. And if this isn't the right time because of the economy, then we'll wait. We'll wait. This is what, our 11th year here? We're not going anywhere."

Lots more.....

 

[VF21]

The Maloofs have consistently and adamantly said they want to make it work here in Sacramento. I'm incredibly glad to see Ailene actually make the same point. People need to HELP the Maloofs push for the new arena for Sacramento, not accuse them of clandestine plans to move elsewhere.

The Maloofs are smart enough to realize that the economic problems aren't unique to Sacramento. At least here they have a significant fan base. They wouldn't necessarily have that elsewhere. People can talk about declining ticket sales and fewer STH, but the fans are still there just waiting and hoping for a reason to return to Arco. Give those fans exciting KINGS basketball and they'll find a way to get their butts in the seats.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

This might be the greatest article from AV yet! I am TOTALLY in the Maloof's corner, and have been since day one with their attitude to and about our city...it's always been our civic 'leaders' that would gum up the works in progress and promise of a new arena. I can't tell you what a breath of fresh air it is to read an article like this, and know that we now have a mayor that is going to give it his all in working toward a solution and exploring every possible option to get it done. Thank you Maloof Family for always having Sactown's backs even when there were misinformed people casting stones at you.

 

[Trueblood]

I found it interesting that they mentioned that they were operating in the black. When I crunch the numbers, I came up with a total that was right around breaking even or making a slight profit as long as they stayed around the cap level so I believe them.

Then, we saw a bunch of articles a few months ago talking about how the Maloofs were "losing" $17 million or even more.

My question is this. Which is it? Are they operating in the "black" or are they losing "$17 million"?

Don't get me wrong. I like the Maloofs and like Voisin says, the fact that they've been here 11 years is proof enough for me to believe that they're making an effort to make it work and come up with an arena plan. The optimistic side of me says to take them at their word.

But the pessimistic side has to wonder why they are changing their profitability tune right when an article out of San Jose states that the city is ramping up efforts to lure a team. Saying that you're operating in the black does nothing for the arena effort in Sacramento. It will only get the backwards types to say "see, they are profiting nicely. No new arena needed". It's not out of the question for one to conclude that it's a form of leverage against San Jose in trying to get a better deal out of them. And if that's the case, something needs to happen here in a hurry.

 

[Warhawk]

I found it interesting that they mentioned that they were operating in the black. When I crunch the numbers, I came up with a total that was right around breaking even or making a slight profit as long as they stayed around the cap level so I believe them.

Then, we saw a bunch of articles a few months ago talking about how the Maloofs were "losing" $17 million or even more.

My question is this. Which is it? Are they operating in the "black" or are they losing "$17 million"?

Don't get me wrong. I like the Maloofs and like Voisin says, the fact that they've been here 11 years is proof enough for me to believe that they're making an effort to make it work and come up with an arena plan. The optimistic side of me says to take them at their word.

But the pessimistic side has to wonder why they are changing their profitability tune right when an article out of San Jose states that the city is ramping up efforts to lure a team. Saying that you're operating in the black does nothing for the arena effort in Sacramento. It will only get the backwards types to say "see, they are profiting nicely. No new arena needed". It's not out of the question for one to conclude that it's a form of leverage against San Jose in trying to get a better deal out of them. And if that's the case, something needs to happen here in a hurry.

They have in the past lost millions of dollars a year - I doubt the $17 million was for LAST year, probably from a couple years ago before we trimmed payroll. I bet being under the cap and getting the exta $$$ from the teams that are over has really helped.

 

[JB_kings]

The city will have to build a new arena sooner or later anyway. They just need to decide if they want the Kings still here or wait and pay more later.

 

[kennadog]

They did lose a lot of money last year. They were one of the teams to borrow money from the league, when it was offered. About half the teams in the NBA lost money last year, which is why the league offered them loans. The Kings were one of the franchises that accepted the offer.

However, the Maloof's have done a lot of budget cutting and not just in team salaries. They laid off a bunch of employees with Koz being the most high-profile; eliminated pre-, post- and half-time broadcast at Monarchs game; eliminated the print version of Fanfare magazine; eliminated Kings pre-season game TV broadcasts and more that I can't recall at the moment. I'm sure there's been even more cost-cutting that we haven't been told about in any detail.

I'm sure they hope that a pick up in tickets sales, with all the new packages available, combined with aggressive cost-cutting will put them in the black or at least break-even point this year. I hope it does.

 

[One and Done]

I'll have faith in the Kings staying when we've got a fully erected, brand spanking new Arena built for them. Until then, I'll try not to think about the negatives...

 

[kennadog]

I'll have faith in the Kings staying when we've got a fully erected, brand spanking new Arena built for them. Until then, I'll try not to think about the negatives...

If that doesn't happen, it won't be the Maloofs' fault. It'll be the fault of a city that has never much acted its size or had much vision for itself..

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

If that doesn't happen, it won't be the Maloofs' fault. It'll be the fault of a city that has never much acted its size or had much vision for itself..

Like I've always said, the exact thing you said is a dysfunctional broken record with this city, and a complete lack of civic vision. I REALLY hope KJ gets active in this process like he SAYS he will, because that can only be a great thing in the end...if he makes this a top priority then I think this can actually happen...I hope we'll here something more from him before the year's end.

Edit: I call the city's brand of dysfunction the 'Rudin-Fargo Syndrome'.