Kings President John Thomas steps down

[ReinadelosReys]

Can't find a link yet, just heard it on the radio.

Maloofs now essentially take control. Joe Maloof becomes CEO and Gavin becomes president.

Hmm....

Edit: Sac Bee Article

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/2010/03/kings-president.html

Kings president John Thomas fired


John Thomas long and stormy tenure with the Kings is ending. Co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof are in the process of finalizing an agreement to buy out the final year of the executive's contract. Thomas has received the final document and is expected to sign within hours.

...

 

[=LarryLegend=]

per Sam Amick's twitter:

Kings team president John Thomas is out, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. New business direction for organization.

 

[GeorgeofSacramento]

Here's the first of two press releases I got in my Media email.

FOR RELEASE ON For more information, contact:
March 23, 2010 Mitch Germann
916-928-5190

​

John Thomas Resigns as President of the Sacramento Kings​

SACRAMENTO, CALIF., Mar. 23, 2010 – John Thomas, President of the Sacramento Kings, is resigning effective April 2, 2010, Maloof Sports & Entertainment announced today.
Thomas is leaving for personal family reasons.
“We want to thank John for everything he has done for us since we came to Sacramento. He’s been an important leader on our team,” said Joe and Gavin Maloof, owners of the Kings.
“Ten years is longer than most NBA Presidents get to serve. I want to thank the Maloof family and my extended Kings family of co-workers and fans for the privilege. I’m very excited about the future,” said Thomas.
Thomas has 20 years of major league sports executive experience in basketball, baseball and hockey. He began his role with Maloof Sports & Entertainment in 1999. Prior to joining the Kings, he was an executive with the Houston Rockets and Comets.
Thomas has been an active member of the Sacramento community, serving on the Boards of Directors of the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Sacramento Metro Chamber, as well as Valley Vision’s Leadership Council and the NBA’s Team Advisory Committee (TAC).
About Maloof Sports and Entertainment:
Maloof Sports & Entertainment includes the Sacramento Kings (NBA) and ARCO Arena. Led by Joe and Gavin Maloof, and owned by the Maloof family with long-term, local partners, the organization is committed to the community in Sacramento and to making a positive, meaningful difference in the lives of families in need in the Sacramento region. Maloof Sports & Entertainment has donated more than $17 million to charities in 10 years of Maloof family ownership. For more information about Maloof Sports & Entertainment, please visit kings.com, arcoarena.com or call 916-928-0000.

 

[GeorgeofSacramento]

Here's the second one:

​

Date:Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:30:42 -07001 of 895 From:Jaime Morse Mills <morsemills@arcoarena.com>

Subject:MALOOF SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT, SACRAMENTO KINGS ANNOUNCE NEW MANAGEMENT TEAMTo:Jaime Morse Mills <morsemills@arcoarena.com>

FOR RELEASE ON For more information, contact:
March 23, 2010 Mitch Germann
916-928-5190

Maloof Sports & Entertainment, Sacramento Kings Announce New Management Team​

SACRAMENTO, CALIF., Mar. 23, 2010 – Maloof Sports & Entertainment and the Sacramento Kings today announced changes to its management team effective immediately.

Joe Maloof will serve as Chief Executive Officer and Gavin Maloof as President of Maloof Sports & Entertainment.

Matina Kolokotronis has been named President of Business Operations of the Sacramento Kings, while Geoff Petrie will continue in his role as President of Basketball Operations.

Kevin S. Kaplan will continue to direct the Kings marketing and sales efforts as he has been for the past season and will continue as a senior adviser to the Maloof family.

John Rinehart will serve as Senior Vice President for Business Operations and Jason Levien will serve as Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager.

“We are very excited about this new management structure and the strength it will lend our organization,” said Joe and Gavin Maloof. “This allows us to continue to be more hands-on with the organization and provides us with this all-star management team’s tremendous depth and regional and global reach.

“This management team’s strong reputation within and knowledge of the Sacramento community as well as its ability to work in partnership with the NBA and other stakeholders and experts will allow our business and basketball operations to work together to better serve our customers and make the Sacramento Kings the best team possible.”

The Maloof Family bought the Sacramento Kings in 1998. For most of that time, the team has achieved great success as perennial playoff contenders that delighted a loyal, passionate fan base who would pack ARCO Arena to give the team a serious home court advantage. This new direction for the organization seeks to recapture those glory days and continue to build on the momentum generated this year by an exciting young team and an aggressive marketing and ticket campaign launched earlier this season.

The Maloof family also owns and operates the Palms Casino and Resort, the Maloof Money Cup, the largest skateboard competition in the world, and Maloof Music and Publishing, an entertainment company.

About Maloof Sports and Entertainment:
Maloof Sports & Entertainment includes the Sacramento Kings (NBA) and ARCO Arena. Led by Joe and Gavin Maloof, and owned by the Maloof family with long-term, local partners, the organization is committed to the community in Sacramento and to making a positive, meaningful difference in the lives of families in need in the Sacramento region. Maloof Sports & Entertainment has donated more than $17 million to charities in 10 years of Maloof family ownership. For more information about Maloof Sports & Entertainment, please visit kings.com, arcoarena.com or call 916-928-0000.

###​

Jaime Morse Mills | Director, Public Relations | v. 916 928-8125 | f. 916 928-0727 | morsemills@arcoarena.com

Maloof Sports & Entertainment | One Sports Parkway | Sacramento, CA 95834 | www.kings.com​

 

[matthew76]

Does anyone know why they would do this?

 

[Entity]

moving

 

[xrzn]

 

[Bricklayer]

Does anyone know why they would do this?

This works:

His ultimate demise, however, is directly linked to his lack of creativity regarding ticket plans and promotional packages during the team's ongoing rebuilding process. In contrast to other NBA teams who reduced prices and offer more flexible packages when teams struggles, Thomas resisted, arguing that to do so damaged the "brand." Additionally, he was reluctant to market the game's marquee players during their visits to Arco Arena - another NBA marketing staple. When the Maloofs began re-evaluating the business side last spring and during the offseason, they became increasingly concerned about the lack of innovation and turned to Kaplan for advice as the season approached.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/2010/03/kings-president.html#ixzz0j3Usu7te

Fact of the matter is that John Thoams wasn't a "polarizing figure" as far as I could tell from distance -- he was a despised one. This has nothing to do with moving and everythinh to do with long overdue. Watching the slimewad agent worm his way up the company ranks isn't terribly amusing though.

 

[cstorm]

In contrast to other NBA teams who reduced prices and offer more flexible packages when teams struggles, Thomas resisted, arguing that to do so damaged the "brand."

What a marketing dinosaur this guy was. I guess televising a near empty arena to a national audience wasn't 'damaging the brand'! Good to see the Maloofs are savvy enough to see there was a problem. Hopefully this bodes well for Kings fans.

 

[D13]

Sounds like that last home Arco Sac Laker game hit the fan....

 

[ReinadelosReys]

Sounds like that last home Arco Sac Laker game hit the fan....

Well, supposedly they had a big meeting the next day regarding it, or so said the Kings radio mouthpiece. Even things as simple as handing out thundersticks to fans in decked out in LAL gear. Good for them, I say, if true.

 

[Section 101]

Watching the slimewad agent worm his way up the company ranks isn't terribly amusing though.

He was hired into the position. He worked for the Maloofs in the same capacity when they owned the Rockets. They brought him on when they took ownership.

 

[bajaden]

This works:




Fact of the matter is that John Thoams wasn't a "polarizing figure" as far as I could tell from distance -- he was a despised one. This has nothing to do with moving and everythinh to do with long overdue. Watching the slimewad agent worm his way up the company ranks isn't terribly amusing though.

I think your right on with this one. As a frequent visitor to the arena and the skylight lounge, I mad a lot friends that worked there. You know, birds of a feather. One thing I know for sure is that Thomas was pretty much dispised by the employee's that worked there. There are other things I could say, but they're rumors, so I'll leave them be. I don't think he'll be missed..

 

[bajaden]

He was hired into the position. He worked for the Maloofs in the same capacity when they owned the Rockets. They brought him on when they took ownership.

I think Bricky knows that. He also became very unpopular very quickly. I think he lasted so long because of the Maloof's loyality.

 

[Bricklayer]

He was hired into the position. He worked for the Maloofs in the same capacity when they owned the Rockets. They brought him on when they took ownership.

I was referring to Levein promoted once again. Insidious.

 

[slugking50]

I was referring to Levein promoted once again. Insidious.

Thats GP's decision. Evidently hes gained alot of respect with GP and the Maloofs. GP has been grooming Levien as his successor when he finally steps aside. They are pretty much like minded with scouting talenta and seeing the game in the same way.

 

[Section 101]

I was referring to Levein promoted once again. Insidious.

He is an attorney.

 

[kennadog]

He was hired into the position. He worked for the Maloofs in the same capacity when they owned the Rockets. They brought him on when they took ownership.

I believe Brick was referring to Jason Levian, hired last year. He had to stop being Kevin Martin's agent when MSE hired him.

Apparently the Mallofs and GP think he has a good eye for talent and he also helped the team get Hedo over from Turkey. The Maloofs were impressed with him back then. He's also supposed to be a real expert on the CBA rules.

EDIT: I'm slow again....