Amick : Kings to Anaheim? Follow the money

[PurpleHaze]

One critical difference between Seattle and Sacramento was that the citizens of WA voted a ballot measure that there would be no further public funding of arenas or stadiums whereas Sacramento actually was working on a deal at the time the Kings decided to pull out.

I would not use the word "critical" difference. Seattle voters said no public funds and so did Sacramento City voters in 2006 by turning down a tax increase to fund an arena. As far as Sacramento "actually working on a deal," again I would not quite put it that way. They commissioned a study not a "deal" to find out if a new arena was at all possible in the current economic enviornment. The Taylor/ICON report is presumably dead at this point but did it have any chance? Probably not, because the "critical" piece was missing, as it always has been in Sac-town - MONEY.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I would not use the word "critical" difference. Seattle voters said no public funds and so did Sacramento City voters in 2006 by turning down a tax increase to fund an arena. As far as Sacramento "actually working on a deal," again I would not quite put it that way. They commissioned a study not a "deal" to find out if a new arena was at all possible in the current economic enviornment. The Taylor/ICON report is presumably dead at this point but did it have any chance? Probably not, because the "critical" piece was missing, as it always has been in Sac-town - MONEY.

A state measure that says no more public money ever is a bit different than a vote against a sales tax levy that faced legal challenges wrt whether it could even be used for the purpose it was voted on. Hell I'd have voted no on that if I could have, but I fully support public funding via other revenue sources.

 

[BMiller52]

I wonder if there is some side deal for Samueli to purchase some Palms debt and be a silent partner. How else does this make sense long term compared to waiting out another year in Sac and seeing if they get something better and if not going to KC or Louisville's vacant arenas where they will be handed the keys?

When I was home a few weeks ago my dad who is not a complete idiot was going on about how Samueli already had his hooks in the Maloofs for 60-100 million, something I've never heard anywhere else.

Does your dad have any connections/sources? There might be something to that actually.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Does your dad have any connections/sources? There might be something to that actually.

Yes and no, it's a bit hard to tell with him because he's been out of the Sac business community for almost 20 years which was well before the Maloofs came to town so his crowd wouldn't be close to the Maloofs, some are likely downright hostile at this point.

 

[BMiller52]

Yes and no, it's a bit hard to tell with him because he's been out of the Sac business community for almost 20 years which was well before the Maloofs came to town so his crowd wouldn't be close to the Maloofs, some are likely downright hostile at this point.

So what are you thinking, that Samueli bought some of that Palms debt along with TPE and Ceasars or whatever they're called? Or even part of one of that group? And now he is holding that over their head?

 

[pdxKingsFan]

So what are you thinking, that Samueli bought some of that Palms debt along with TPE and Ceasars or whatever they're called? Or even part of one of that group? And now he is holding that over their head?

I honestly don't know what to think, but all the money being talked about so far won't even come close to saving the Palms so there'd have to be even more coming.

 

[origkds]

And most are already Laker fans. All my friends in SD are laker fans.

Man you need some new friends in San Diego. Residents there must be really desperate for an NBA team to support! If the Maloof’s can develop one Kings/Royals fan for every three Laker fans in San Diego County, they’ll be in fat city.

 

[mr. moustache]

I don't think that would be only reason, if even the primary reason. In case of Seattle, Key Arena was old and falling down like old, crumbling Arco. Sonics ownership tried to get something done about it with King County (Seattle) authorites but was not able to get action so they sold the team to a businessman from Oklahoma City. He simply moved the team with NBA board of governors rubber stamping knowing Key Arena was about to be declared not suitable for NBA games - even though OKC was a much smaller TV market and overall market than Seattle.

Amazing deja vu! Sonics were down and out but on upswing heading into OKC as the Thunder. Now playoff bound and more. Old Seattle Sonics fans now blame their elected officials for blowing it not new OKC ownership. Kings are down but on the upswing and look to have a new name and home soon. Likewise, they seem playoffs bound as early as next season. Sacramento community flailing around looking for scapegoats - when it's obvious who is mostly to blame.

I live in Seattle and you have so much so wrong.

1. Key Arena wasn't falling apart. It's a fine arena for professional NBA basketball. I have no clue why the NBA requires these arenas to be luxurious palaces. In any case, 150m gets you a newly refurbished arena in the middle of downtown Seattle. Steve Ballmer's even offered to pay, but he needs a team to own. Honestly, I wish Sac was selling.

2. Most of the people of Seattle blame Clay Bennet and Howard Schultz.

 

[hrdboild]

2. Most of the people of Seattle blame Clay Bennet and Howard Schultz.

As they should. They had no intention of keeping the team in Seattle, ever.

And I wish the Maloofs would just sell the team too. If the Kings are for sure going to leave Sacramento, I'd rather they go to Seattle than anywhere else. At least then there'd still be one displaced fan base instead of two.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I'd hate a move to Seattle since they are my adopted town's mortal enemy and they'd rename the team to the Sonics. But I'd be happy for Seattle, which is more than I could ever say for Anaheim. And it would kind of make it fun if I decided to become a Blazers fan at a later date.

I don't think there's any chance the Maloofs selling the team would save the team for Sacramentans but I'm starting to think it might be for the better of the long term stability of the club wherever it lands. At least any presumptive buyer would look to take the team into a less saturated market with a fan base of actual people instead of corporations and those looking to shave a bit off their commute time.