Here it comes...

[JB_kings]

We've been waiting for the Kings mouthpiece, Grant Napear, to spill the beans.
He just stated that Anaheim has a pending offer to the Maloofs that beats the current agreement with Sacramento. Sac gets the first shot due to the loyalty showed by the city. Anaheim is a better market because they have the deeper corporate base. Argue if you will, but he is correct.

This needed to be said and I'm glad somebody besides us fans finally did.

 

[ShatteredVision]

This season will be known as the Farewell Tour?

 

[JB_kings]

This season will be known as the Farewell Tour?

We'll know for sure by Nov 7.
Grant stated that he was certain that this will be the last year in Sacramento if this gets voted down.

 

[bsegers]

Three facts are important for the voting public to understand if the this vote does not pass.

1. The KINGS will move, they will have no choice that makes good business sense.

2. Current ARCO will be leveled and the property sold. (No Large Venue Entertainment)

3. Sacramento will never get a new Pro Team without a new Arena.

The Dilemma is the Maloofs can't say that. So who can get that message out to the voting public so they see the big picture.

 

[thatguy]

We'll know for sure by Nov 7.
Grant stated that he was certain that this will be the last year in Sacramento if this gets voted down.

I'm not trying to be rude, but Napear's opinion means nothing.

 

[JB_kings]

I'm not trying to be rude, but Napear's opinion means nothing.

Who do you want to hear it from? Some of us fans who have been paying attention for years have been telling you this is coming. Grant wouldn't make these statements without approval from the Maloofs. He likes his job too much.

 

[ShatteredVision]

Even if the Kings leave, that wouldn't stop another organization from moving into the area and building something on their own if they decide to privately finance a stadium.

Sacramento is such a fertile sports market, even if half of the people can't agree about it because they don't like the team...

There are so many new people in Sacramento that don't share a love for the Kings.

 

[bsegers]

That is a huge huge if, and not the way NBA deals are done. I'm sure someone could chime in with the Last privately financed NBA Arena.

 

[JB_kings]

Even if the Kings leave, that wouldn't stop another organization from moving into the area and building something on their own if they decide to privately finance a stadium.

Sacramento is such a fertile sports market, even if half of the people can't agree about it because they don't like the team...

There are so many new people in Sacramento that don't share a love for the Kings.

Do you honestly believe that?
If the Kings leave, who do you think would move here after the city kicks the Kings to the curb? Don't hold your breath. What owner would move into the same dead end situation that turned their back on the NBA once before? Go ahead and watch the Kings walk next summer and see what happens.

 

[thatguy]

Who do you want to hear it from? Some of us fans who have been paying attention for years have been telling you this is coming.

You haven't been telling me anything. I'm not disputing the Anaheim claim either. All I'm saying is that Napear's certainty about anything means nothing.

Grant wouldn't make these statements without approval from the Maloofs. He likes his job too much.

Napear on his show today (July 12) said...He expects the Bonzi situation to be setteled one way or the other in the next 24 to 48 hours.

John Salmons was signed (and the "Bonzi situation" was "settled") on July 24th.

Did the Maloofs approve that statement?

His job is to have an opinion not to be a prognosticator.

 

[BRad1055]

When Grant is on his show on sports1140 he does not work for the Maloofs therefore it is his own opinion and he can say whatever he wants on his show and will bash the team and has before, now when he is doing the games on tv that is another story because than he is employed by the Maloofs.

 

[JB_kings]

You haven't been telling me anything. I'm not disputing the Anaheim claim either. All I'm saying is that Napear's certainty about anything means nothing.





John Salmons was signed (and the "Bonzi situation" was "settled") on July 24th.

Did the Maloofs approve that statement?

His job is to have an opinion not to be a prognosticator.

I think that's apples and oranges myself. Trade and signing deals fall apart all the time. Even Coach Whiznant got the rug pulled out when every media outlet in town heard that he was a shoe-in.
I heard about Anaheim a few years ago when the Maloofs were trying to buy the NHL Ducks. That's when I knew they were serious. And don't doubt that they already have a verbal agreement because the type of money that is making some choke around here is chump change to Anaheim. They have a massive tourist base that gets taxed.

 

[thatguy]

I think that's apples and oranges myself.

It was his opinion then just as this latest is his opinion now. And it still means nothing.

 

[nebs]

*SIGH*

 

[Kingsgurl]

Even if the Kings leave, that wouldn't stop another organization from moving into the area and building something on their own if they decide to privately finance a stadium.

Sacramento is such a fertile sports market, even if half of the people can't agree about it because they don't like the team...

There are so many new people in Sacramento that don't share a love for the Kings.

That's a dangerously niave view, and one I am glad you brought up, actually. A lot of people seem to actually think that, should the Kings leave, we would just 'get another team' The NBA is a business. No team is going to move here if they have to build their own place to play. Why the hell should they when there are cities who built arenas HOPING to lure a franchise, like Oklahoma and Kansas City. Venues ready to move in and cities hungry for a team.
If the team leaves and the city decides they want a new one, they are then faced with the daunting task of building the whole thing themselves, with no guarunteed tenent, no guarunteed revenue (even if that revenue comes as rent) How the hell are you going to sell THAT to the public?

 

[ShatteredVision]

NBA is a cutthroat business.

Did the Kings leave Kansas City because of the lack of a new arena or ownership?

The A's left Kansas City because of Charlie Finley...

 

[1kingzfan]

Reality bites.

The goblet has been smashed in front of us.

But you know what? The Maloofs were very shrewd indeed to have had at least some limited discussions (maybe more) with another interested city. For those that thought the team wouldn't be going anywhere (at least for a while), regardless of the measure result, now there is no doubt that the Kings will leave, and depart quickly, if the measure fails.

The future of Arco is also in the hands of the Maloofs and would likely be trashed to sell the land to pay back a chunk of the outstanding $70+ million loan.

What Kingsgurl said is dead on, no pro team would THINK about coming here any time soon.

Game over.

Like a house of cards, watch then what happens to Sacramento.

 

[JB_kings]

That is a huge huge if, and not the way NBA deals are done. I'm sure someone could chime in with the Last privately financed NBA Arena.

Staples Arena in 1999. However it was not Jerry Buss that built it, it was a "developer" that was create and called "LA Arena Company". The real money behind that is billionaire Philip Anschutz. But consider that they had not one pro team as a tennant, but three - Lakers, Clippers and NHL Kings. They also had the ability to sell club seating and suites that are way beyond any other city except for New York. This is one of the rare buildings that actually are privately profitable to run. It's a unique situaton that couldn't be duplicated in just about any market besides LA or NY.

The other example is the Rose Garden built in 1995. It was a public - private deal, however billionaire Paul Allen chose to contribute 155 of the 262 million it cost to build. However this deal went sour and the corporation running the arena (Paul Allen really) filed for bankruptcy in 2004. It is interesting to note that Paul Allen did not just write a check, he had to borrow money to contribute. There were a lot of factors into why they filed for bankruptcy, but the money coming in from the arena was not enough to cover the the payments to the creditors. Paul Allen this week decided that he is not ready to sell the Blazers and the Rose Garden although there were several offers.

In any case, I wouldn't suggest following in Allen's footsteps. The Maloofs are paupers compared to Allen. So lets forget the idea that any private owner would step into Sacramento and build it privately.
A bird in the hand folks...

 

[1kingzfan]

Frickin' outstanding, JB.

For those that believe that a totally private deal should have been struck in SACTown, please step forward and address the facts and points which JB has made.

I don't think there will be any takers.

This is public education at its finest!

I learned a lot today from reading at kingsfans.com.

 

[natedizzle]

What if the Maloofs have believed all that the Quality of Life Bill will be rejected by the voters and they negotiated deal for PR. I can here it now "we tried to stay in Sac but people have spoken..."

 

[Kingsgurl]

Regardless of their intentions in negotiating the Bill, it is now our (Sacramentans) decision to make, is it not?

 

[VF21]

What if the Maloofs have believed all that the Quality of Life Bill will be rejected by the voters and they negotiated deal for PR. I can here it now "we tried to stay in Sac but people have spoken..."

That just makes no sense. If they wanted to walk away, and this measure had not made the ballot, they could have. David Stern himself had said Arco simply isn't going to fit the bill.

There have been mistakes on all sides. This proposal should have been ironed out a couple years ago - and would have except for people like Steve Cohn.

Now, the people of Sacramento are going to have their say in November. That's the way it should be. And the Maloofs have apparently made it pretty clear that if the vote doesn't support the additional sales tax to build the new facility, they will be forced to consider their other options. And the other option in the forefront right now seems to be Anaheim.

But this still isn't just about the Kings. It's about a lot more. There aren't many times the city and county AND a private company can agree to this kind of undertaking. It's not about waiting for a better deal to come down the pike. There isn't going to be a better deal. This is it. People can take it or leave it. And if they leave it, they'll have a long time without the distraction of professional sports or top-notch performers to play Monday morning quarterback.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Even if the Kings leave, that wouldn't stop another organization from moving into the area...

If this did happen, I wouldn't support another NBA team in Sacramento, I am a Kings fan since day one, and can't be told to just jump on the expansion or re-location bandwagon and just support any team that plops down here...and the local government should be ashamed that it's coming to this. If this doesn't pass in Nov., how can you blame the Maloofs for entertaining offers? Bottom line: My heart is the Kings...if they leave, I will NEVER forgive the people responsible for helping that cause. I'll just be an NBA fan then...my heart can't be re-built with sacharine.

 

[Bricklayer]

For ANY pro basketball team to play in the Sacramento area, there will have to be a new arena.

If the Kings leave, for another team to come there will STILL have to be a new arena -- every other city is offering one, if Sacto does not have it, they will not come. And if the Kings leave because Sacto won't build a new one, then a new arena will STILL have to be built, but without the $100mil (or whatever) from the Maloofs. Then it will be even more expensive for Sacto taxpayers, and even if a new team did one day come (sucking down its own perks from city hall) it would have none of the Kings history or love affair. Starting from scratch. And for what? Shortsightedness?

 

[1kingzfan]

For ANY pro basketball team to play in the Sacramento area, there will have to be a new arena.

If the Kings leave, for another team to come there will STILL have to be a new arena -- every other city is offering one, if Sacto does not have it, they will not come. And if the Kings leave because Sacto won't build a new one, then a new arena will STILL have to be built, but without the $100mil (or whatever) from the Maloofs. Then it will be even more expensive for Sacto taxpayers, and even if a new team did one day come (sucking down its own perks from city hall) it would have none of the Kings history or love affair. Starting from scratch. And for what? Shortsightedness?

Perfectly well said.

It is up to our government leaders who support this measure to include in their education points what the value of the Kings is to the city and regional economy. There are a lot of intangibles in there that are difficult to attach a price tag to (such as City reputation enhanced by having the Kings and thus a further attraction to businesses locating in the region), but nevertheless they must try to show the value of having a successful pro sports franchise, even for those who are not Kingzfans and have no plans to ever go witness a game.

In short, the "who cares about the Kings, I don't even like basketball, and life and growth will go on in SACTown without them" philosophy of some naysayers needs to be hit head on with facts and solid logical reasoning.

 

[6th]

I moved to Sacramento in 1980. If I wanted to see pro sports, I had to drive to the bay area. Musicians? Bay area. Circus, ice shows, monster trucks? Bay area.

With the cost of gasoline and food for an almost all day trip it would now cost me about 50 dollars per person per event above and beyond tickets. I won't even discuss parking in the bay area.

Well, now I have the opportunity to vote for a tax increase of about 30 - 50 dollars per year instead of per event. And, I don't waste my time going all the way to the bay area.

I will not waste my time filling myself with envy worrying about how much the Maloofs might make on this deal. That is petty and stupid. I will only consider my own entertainment needs.

As far as how much it costs others to pay for my entertainment...no one asks me if I have children in school....but I pay for schools. I have never had a fire at my house....but I pay for fire protection for the county.

It is all about a quality of life for all of us. I will not use every service that my taxes pay for. No one does. But to say that, "I won't use the arena, so I won't pay for it" is one-sided and selfish. We are all in this community together, folks. Let's make the best of it.

 

[JB_kings]

This is another big win for the pro-measure group if true. Fireplug from the Bleachermob forum was listening to 1530 this AM and Tom Sullivan has appearently switched his mind from being against the measure to being for the measure. Sullivan has a huge audience of which most are probably going to be against this measure. Sullivan's opinion carries more weight than anything Grant Napear could ever share.

 

[Merdiesel]

Sacramento will be the next Fresno if the kings leave... The city would be stupid to not vote yes, what else do they have?

Also, if they DO leave, i will be a Warriors fan.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

This is another big win for the pro-measure group if true. Fireplug from the Bleachermob forum was listening to 1530 this AM and Tom Sullivan has appearently switched his mind from being against the measure to being for the measure. Sullivan has a huge audience of which most are probably going to be against this measure. Sullivan's opinion carries more weight than anything Grant Napear could ever share.

Yeah, this is pretty significant as KFBK is the #1 station in this market, and pretty much has been forever. What changed his mind, by the way? I'm out in the field at work during his show and didn't hear anything on this.

 

[JB_kings]

Yeah, this is pretty significant as KFBK is the #1 station in this market, and pretty much has been forever. What changed his mind, by the way? I'm out in the field at work during his show and didn't hear anything on this.

I've included Fireplug's actual post here. I think the Saturday broadcast is a repeat from one of shows earlier in the week. Not sure which one, but it could be from yesterday. I checked out the show synopses on the 1530 website and saw no mention of this up until the 8/3 show on Thursday. The Friday summary and podcasts aren't up yet, so that's my guess.

This morning, as we were pulling a truck out of the American River with our rescue boat, we had the radio on in our pickup and Tom Sullivan was on. He has changed his tune, evidently, from being adamantly anti-arena to "this is barely an OK deal." He then mentioned what we know here already that if the measure is defeated, the existing Arco Arena will be bulldozed to make room for more lucretive development leaving the area with NO arena for any events.

Tommy has had the lightbulb suddenly turn on.