If the 2011/2012 season is lost, can the Maloofs still file for relocation next year?

[Anthony1]

The way I understand it, if progress has not been made on an Arena, the Maloofs could file for relocation again, on March 1st 2012, and the NBA would likely approve the move this time.

However, if the 2011/2012 season is completely lost, is the March 1st deadline still applicable? Would the NBA give Sacramento another year, because of the lockout? I honestly don't think the NBA would want any NBA teams moving, coming out of a lockout, because it just sends a bad message overall, and the NBA will have enough collateral damage to deal with in regards to the fans. If I had to guess, I think we will get one more year if the season is completely lost.

As a fan, a lost season would really, really suck, but if in a twisted way, the lost season somehow saves the Kings future in Sacramento, I think I could live with a lost season, if it means the Kings are our team for at least another couple decades.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I suspect that rules on moving franchises are NBA by-laws that are unrelated to the CBA between the owners and the players. I wouldn't count on a lost season saving anything. We've got to make real progress on the arena by March 1st 2012, period. Of course, with the mayor and the city council serious and the momentum we've got behind the push, I have a good feeling.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

I don't know. I was wondering about this my self. It could actually make a move more likely because it would give the Maloofs more time to work out details with another city. Let's just hope that things are in place by March like they're supposed to be and we'll never have to worry about it again. At least not for another 15 years or so when the NBA strong arms us into building another new arena because the one from 2014 is just too antiquated.

 

[Warhawk]

I suspect that rules on moving franchises are NBA by-laws that are unrelated to the CBA between the owners and the players. I wouldn't count on a lost season saving anything. We've got to make real progress on the arena by March 1st 2012, period. Of course, with the mayor and the city council serious and the momentum we've got behind the push, I have a good feeling.

Agreed. They are in full-blown "figure-it-out-now" mode and political will is clearly shifted to supporting keeping the Kings. And the Mayor isn't waiting until March 1, sounds like he is trying to get it sorted ASAP so there is no "drama" approaching the deadline.

 

[John Galt]

I would be very surprised if the prospect of a "lost season" was not discussed when David was telling the Maloofs "Give them another year to build an Arena guys. I mean what will it hurt to wait one more year, while they upgrade the Anaheim arena and we work out our labor deal. Take one for the league"

a) Sac gets serious and builds an arena = happy ending a
b) Sac fails to build an arena but Maloofs and NBA cannot be accused of not giving it the full college try and go to Anaheim = happy ending b

I don't think a lost season will help the Kings stay in Sac by any means. The ONLY way the Kings stay in sac is if a credible and financed arena plan is in place March 1. I mean Joe Maloof put on a good show at that rally, but I still think they would rather be in Anaheim and will go if the league will let them.

 

[Section 101]

Doubt they would want to give back everyone's season ticket money on march 1st !

 

[theclash4u5]

I don't know. I was wondering about this my self. It could actually make a move more likely because it would give the Maloofs more time to work out details with another city. Let's just hope that things are in place by March like they're supposed to be and we'll never have to worry about it again. At least not for another 15 years or so when the NBA strong arms us into building another new arena because the one from 2014 is just too antiquated.

Since the NBA is in lockout, could the Maloofs even keep in contact with another city about NBA details?

 

[Trueblood]

Since the NBA is in lockout, could the Maloofs even keep in contact with another city about NBA details?

Depends on what type of details.

It's been mentioned in this thread and I'm pretty sure it holds true in that the relationship with the players has no effect on what the Maloofs can do in regards to relocation. March 1st is still a big date.

OTOH, I don't think ANY owner can talk about ANY aspect of collective bargaining agreement with ANY other entity whether it be players, agents, fans or city leaders looking to make a play for the Kings that want to know how the cba may turn out so that they can set the guidelines for a potential lease. The owners will get fined $1 million for disclosing details of cba negotiations with anybody.

 

[kennadog]

I don't think it changes the March 1st deadline. And it really shouldn't. We've dawdled around over this arena issue for almost 14 years. To me its now or never.

 

[Entity]

if there is no season. How will the draft work out? will there be another lottery or what?

 

[Capt. Factorial]

if there is no season. How will the draft work out? will there be another lottery or what?

Nobody knows. The rules would have to be established in the new CBA. I believe that when the NHL lost a season, they put all of their teams into a full-league lottery, weighted by wins over the past several years. The NBA would probably come up with a similar method. (And we'd be sitting quite pretty if that were to happen. I hope it doesn't, but it would probably result in that one last great draft pick.)

 

[Section 101]

I don't think it changes the March 1st deadline. And it really shouldn't. We've dawdled around over this arena issue for almost 14 years. To me its now or never.

So I think they are screwed for applying march 1st if there is a full year missed. I recently received an email about options in the event games are missed.

Options Information:
******************************************************************
(1)KINGS FAN LOYALTY OPTION:
In an effort to reward you for your support, until the resolution of the current work stoppage, you will earn the following credits beginning on October 1, 2011:

Commitments prior to August 15, 2011
Loyalty Credit in cash calculated at a 6% annualized rate on the principal held on account.

Commitments after August 15, 2011
Loyalty Credit in cash calculated at a 3% annualized rate on the principal held on account

In the event any games are missed, 100% of the Season Ticket value from the missed games would remain on your account and be applied as a credit to be used towards the payment of your 2012 Playoff tickets and/or your 2012-13 Season Ticket renewal.
(2)BASIC REFUND POLICY OPTION:
Allows you to receive refunds on any missed games plus a 1% annual interest rate. Refunds will be issued monthly based on the number of games missed during that month. Interest accrual begins on October 1, 2011.

Your account must either be paid in full or current on your payment plan in order to take advantage of the Kings Fan Loyalty Option.

See the bolded part. This could easily go to court as a contract with season ticket holders for 2012-2013 season.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

So I think they are screwed for applying march 1st if there is a full year missed. I recently received an email about options in the event games are missed.

See the bolded part. This could easily go to court as a contract with season ticket holders for 2012-2013 season.

I doubt it would cause them any trouble if they wanted to move. They would simply say that they will be happy to (1) Apply your balance towards your season ticket renewal for the Anaheim Royals or (2) Refund your money as per the refund option.

Of all the things that might possibly prevent the Maloofs from moving the team after this year, a season ticketholder refund clause is not going to be one of them. The important one -- probably the ONLY one -- is the NBA saying, "Hey, Sacramento is actually breaking ground on an arena! We can't allow the Kings to move now or no city will ever build an arena for its team again!"

If we build it, they will stay. If we don't, they will leave. Those are the only equations left.

 

[kennadog]

I doubt it would cause them any trouble if they wanted to move. They would simply say that they will be happy to (1) Apply your balance towards your season ticket renewal for the Anaheim Royals or (2) Refund your money as per the refund option.

Of all the things that might possibly prevent the Maloofs from moving the team after this year, a season ticketholder refund clause is not going to be one of them. The important one -- probably the ONLY one -- is the NBA saying, "Hey, Sacramento is actually breaking ground on an arena! We can't allow the Kings to move now or no city will ever build an arena for its team again!"

If we build it, they will stay. If we don't, they will leave. Those are the only equations left.

Agree with this 100%.

 

[Arena Skeptic]

Just a quick note, Think Big is now accepting applications for "Citizen Architects."

http://thinkbigsacramento.com/involved/join/

For anyone interested.

I believe, by the way, that any franchise move is entirely unrelated to the lockout. If the Kings stay or leave, it will not be directly related to the lockout. I will say, though, that Bill Simmons did outline a reasonable scenario in which the NBA could use the contraction threat in some way during this lockout, and... Well, just look at the teams with low attendance to make your own "contraction short list." If the NBA does issue such a threat, the Kings could be used as a part of that threat.

That's a lot of "if"s and "could"s; just remember that.

 

[Section 101]

Just a quick note, Think Big is now accepting applications for "Citizen Architects."

http://thinkbigsacramento.com/involved/join/

For anyone interested.

I believe, by the way, that any franchise move is entirely unrelated to the lockout. If the Kings stay or leave, it will not be directly related to the lockout. I will say, though, that Bill Simmons did outline a reasonable scenario in which the NBA could use the contraction threat in some way during this lockout, and... Well, just look at the teams with low attendance to make your own "contraction short list." If the NBA does issue such a threat, the Kings could be used as a part of that threat.

That's a lot of "if"s and "could"s; just remember that.

The Kings have the 2nd highest ticket renewal rate of all the teams. That kinda blows out the the attendance issue.

 

[Arena Skeptic]

The Kings have the 2nd highest ticket renewal rate of all the teams. That kinda blows out the the attendance issue.

I think that's an incorrect conclusion to draw, but we'll know more about this soon enough. I think they'll go by past performance.

If the season loses 20 or more games, 100% of that momentum will be gone. That's just my opinion, though. And I'm sticking to it.

 

[Larry David]

The Kings have the 2nd highest ticket renewal rate of all the teams. That kinda blows out the the attendance issue.

Not really. The Kings haven't drawn well and the season ticket base fell to about 6,000. So even if the renewal rate was 100%, that's 6,000 season ticket holders. Yes, they've added new season ticket holders ... but until this team is a winner, the Kings will rely on walkups and fans will know they can grab a decent seat most nights. Thus, attendance is still an issue and could still be a big problem when the dregs of the league come to town.

To put it another way - I'd rather have 15,000 season ticket holders renew at 90%, than have 6,000 season ticket holders renew at 100%.

Agree 100% on deadline stuff above. In many ways, Sacramento got one more year because of the lockout. The city was given a year to fund a plan - not prepare more drawings. If the city hasn't voted on that issue by 3-1-12 (if they voted and failed, then its worse) there is almost no chance the NBA gives us another year based upon nonfunding progress.

 

[Section 101]

Not really. The Kings haven't drawn well and the season ticket base fell to about 6,000. So even if the renewal rate was 100%, that's 6,000 season ticket holders. Yes, they've added new season ticket holders ... but until this team is a winner, the Kings will rely on walkups and fans will know they can grab a decent seat most nights. Thus, attendance is still an issue and could still be a big problem when the dregs of the league come to town.

To put it another way - I'd rather have 15,000 season ticket holders renew at 90%, than have 6,000 season ticket holders renew at 100%.

Agree 100% on deadline stuff above. In many ways, Sacramento got one more year because of the lockout. The city was given a year to fund a plan - not prepare more drawings. If the city hasn't voted on that issue by 3-1-12 (if they voted and failed, then its worse) there is almost no chance the NBA gives us another year based upon nonfunding progress.

They also added 2000+ new season ticket holders and this was before drafting Jimmer. They also have sold all of the luxury suites.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/05/30/Franchises/Kings.aspx

 

[Larry David]

The Kings have the 2nd highest ticket renewal rate of all the teams. That kinda blows out the the attendance issue.

They also added 2000+ new season ticket holders and this was before drafting Jimmer. They also have sold all of the luxury suites.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/05/30/Franchises/Kings.aspx

Ok, take the 6,000 and assume that 100% renewed, add 2,000, let's say they sold almost 1,000 in the week after the draft ... they still have almost 1/2 of the building to sell.

Are things a lot better. Yes.
Is the attendance issue blown out. No.

Did you get mislead by the impact of the renewal rate? It appears so.

 

[Section 101]

The Kings have the 2nd highest ticket renewal rate of all the teams. That kinda blows out the the attendance issue.



Ok, take the 6,000 and assume that 100% renewed, add 2,000, let's say they sold almost 1,000 in the week after the draft ... they still have almost 1/2 of the building to sell.

Are things a lot better. Yes.
Is the attendance issue blown out. No.

Did you get mislead by the impact of the renewal rate? It appears so.

Where are you getting this 6000 season ticket number? Your ***? Show me one article where the number is projected.

My guestimate is season ticket numbers were closer to 9k last year. Just cause people werent at all the games doesn't mean they didnt have season tickets.