Whatever the truth is, I think that the $30 million deposit will most certainly be a factor in the BOG's decision, but not in the way that Seattle anticipates. Ever since I first heard about the deposit, I thought it would backfire on the Maloofs and the Hansen group. They're basically telling Sacramento and the NBA that it's a done deal, that there will be legal implications if the sale isn't approved. They're attempting to dictate to the NBA what they must decide on the sale and relocation. If I was on the NBA BOG, this would pee me off, almost as if it's an attempt to blackmail the league into moving the team. As if they no longer have a choice in the matter because the $30 million has now changed hands.
My instinct is that this move didn't sit well with Stern and has been one of the factors in helping turn the momentum in Sac's direction. Especially when on the other side you've got dream owners that are a PERFECT match for the NBA, major players in the areas of sports management, politics, fitness, etc. They may not be nearly as wealthy as the Sac group, but they're a better fit. And in the way they've handled themselves, they come across as more honorable business people and more importantly, more deferential to the NBA. Instead of trying to strong arm their way into the league, their using their political, business, and social savvy to win the favor of the other owners. I may be overstating the importance of this aspect, but I don't think so-- if I'm the NBA, no matter how much I want a team back in Seattle, am I going to look more favorable on an underhanded, secret deal with non-refundable deposit between the Maloofs and the Seattle group, or the city that's been fighting tooth and nail to keep its team, doing everything right, with investors behind them that are willing to work WITH the NBA, not against it. I think the Seattle group lost some support with this move, completely unnecessarily. But perhaps it was the only way to get the Maloofs to agree to sell to them, because it meant instant cash in their pockets.