KTLA: Fans React To Sacramento Kings Possible Move To Anaheim; Jim Nash Reports

[Mike0476]

You can clearly see how excited Anaheim residents are about the possibility of the Kings moving to their city.

http://www.ktla.com/videobeta/1fea8...ngs-Possible-Move-To-Anaheim-Jim-Nash-Reports

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Can only hope the Maloofs are paying attention.

 

[BMiller52]

Like 1 person out of 7 would actually be a fan. LOL. This move has epic fail all over it.

 

[Spok22]

nice. i dont think the maloofs really care tho. They just want out of sacramento at this point imo

 

[Glenn]

Like 1 person out of 7 would actually be a fan. LOL. This move has epic fail all over it.

It always has.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

It's sad when the arena becomes more important than the fans and the sport itself. It still baffles me that the Maloofs are taking a huge gamble like this rather than wait and see what the mayor and ICON can do for them. They could potentially have it so much better in Sacramento. They must really be desperate. It's just sad that their financial problems will end up costing Sacramento its team.

 

[Jim Les]

It's sad when the arena becomes more important than the fans and the sport itself. It still baffles me that the Maloofs are taking a huge gamble like this rather than wait and see what the mayor and ICON can do for them. They could potentially have it so much better in Sacramento. They must really be desperate. It's just sad that their financial problems will end up costing Sacramento its team.

Yup. The Maloof's are kicking a loyal fanbase right in the gut. Anaheim is going to get a unique opportunity to watch a young team grow into something special, and they don't even seem to care about it.

 

[fansinceday1]

Like 1 person out of 7 would actually be a fan. LOL. This move has epic fail all over it.

Buy they're gonna get one helluva TV deal!

 

[ArcoKings]

It's sad when the arena becomes more important than the fans and the sport itself. It still baffles me that the Maloofs are taking a huge gamble like this rather than wait and see what the mayor and ICON can do for them. They could potentially have it so much better in Sacramento. They must really be desperate. It's just sad that their financial problems will end up costing Sacramento its team.

The article below is not too far back regarding the Palms. Per the article it seems that the Malloofs are 'OK' to reduce their ownership stake of the Palms but want to remain the operators of the resort in a partnership with Leonard Green and TPG. Most of the casinos in Las Vegas are in heavy debt. Many casinos have been taken over by gaming companies with massive debt like MGM, Caesars Entertainment Properties and Boyd Gaming. The Sahara recently announced plans to shut down. The City Centre almost couldn't finish its construction due to running out of money. The Tropicana almost shut down. The Malloofs are an independent company... a mom-and-pop if you would. I'm surprised that they've lasted this long. They made cost cutting changes to their casino and sold some businesses to hang on to their casino. Sometimes you have to root for the small guy especially in Las Vegas.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/...-Casino-Debt-A-Sign-Of-Financial-Trouble.aspx

Here's something else regarding the Palms but its much older than the above article:

http://thestrippodcast.blogspot.com/2010/02/harrahs-buying-palms.html

 

[JB_kings]

The cool reaction doesn't surprise me at all. It's just not that big of a deal for them.

 

[Peter_Gibbons]

In all honesty, the 2 guys that really opposed the Kings are the 2 from Sacramento themselves. Were they Sac residents that went down to Anaheim to try to influence the city council vote just hours earlier? who knows.

Other than that it was just the first guy that said he doesn't like the idea. The others are either opened to their move, not pro bball fan, or welcomes the move. I think also many people underestimate the number of fans the Kings already have in LA/OC area before any of this moving to Anaheim talk. There are always many fans with Kings jerseys, t-shirts etc at every Clipper vs Kings game I go to. (And I'm not referring to the Kingsfans.com crew).

 

[Section 101]

In all honesty, the 2 guys that really opposed the Kings are the 2 from Sacramento themselves. Were they Sac residents that went down to Anaheim to try to influence the city council vote just hours earlier? who knows.

Other than that it was just the first guy that said he doesn't like the idea. The others are either opened to their move, not pro bball fan, or welcomes the move. I think also many people underestimate the number of fans the Kings already have in LA/OC area before any of this moving to Anaheim talk. There are always many fans with Kings jerseys, t-shirts etc at every Clipper vs Kings game I go to. (And I'm not referring to the Kingsfans.com crew).

Big difference between going to 1 to 2 games a year and having season tickets. Put YOUR money where your mouth is. Put out the $10k/year for season tickets.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

There was only 1 enthusiastic person that said they would definitely buy tickets. That is the takeaway. The other "supporters" said "Sure, it's good, no I won't be a fan".

They just don't care. If this move was to Louisville or KC or Seattle you could bet your bottom dollar they could find more than 1 in 7 IN A SPORTS BAR that were more enthusiastic.

 

[Peter_Gibbons]

Big difference between going to 1 to 2 games a year and having season tickets. Put YOUR money where your mouth is. Put out the $10k/year for season tickets.

The big picture that you missed is there are fans here. You don't know how many people will go to mulitple games a year or how many will buy season tickets. There are certainly many people that CAN afford the tickets in the OC. I understand that you don't want there to be and rather the Maloofs fail. Thats understandable.

 

[NewKingsFan916]

Isn't this really embarrassing for the league, david stern, and the maloofs? This entire league is a f-ing joke.

Fans and enthusiasm be damned! We want to fit as many teams into the top 3 markets as we can.

Honestly if the kings moved to KC and I saw thousands of exited fans bringing out the welcome mat for the teams it wouldn't feel so bad. In Anaheim, they just don't give a damn.

This NBA is really a sad brand.

 

[Peter_Gibbons]

Keep in mind that it wasn't game night at Honda Center last night. There were no big games going on on the NBA. The type that would show up at a sports bar on a weekday during a non game night are usually just out for a drink or looking for some company, not necessary hardcore sports fans .

Do the interviews again on game night for the Ducks or when there is a big NBA game (Heat vs Celtics) and see what the real sports fans say for a better feel of reality.

 

[JB_kings]

It's just the lure of money and celebrity in the Socal market that counts. The fans are a total afterthought. OC could never hope to match what the Kings had here. We don't have to be in a sports bar to talk Kings. We do it at work, on the golf course and yes I've even talked Kings basketball at Disneyland many times. I and thousands of others have filled Arco Arena to watch playoff basketball - for a ROAD game. I could go on, but I think I've made my point.

 

[Section 101]

Keep in mind that it wasn't game night at Honda Center last night. There were no big games going on on the NBA. The type that would show up at a sports bar on a weekday during a non game night are usually just out for a drink or looking for some company, not necessary hardcore sports fans .

Do the interviews again on game night for the Ducks or when there is a big NBA game (Heat vs Celtics) and see what the real sports fans say for a better feel of reality.

The Kings, lakers, clippers all play at the same time on Friday night. Wonder what the OC ratings will look like.

 

[Arena Skeptic]

It's sad when the arena becomes more important than the fans and the sport itself. It still baffles me that the Maloofs are taking a huge gamble like this rather than wait and see what the mayor and ICON can do for them. They could potentially have it so much better in Sacramento. They must really be desperate. It's just sad that their financial problems will end up costing Sacramento its team.

Unfortunately, that's not really what this is about. The Maloofs have simply lost control of their empire.

This isn't personal. When the Maloofs have their happy-smiley presser in Anaheim, probably by the end of May, don't take it wrong. Don't take it personally. I bet they would have preferred staying. But until you realize that the Maloofs are no longer driving their own bus, this move won't make sense.

They did this to save their behinds. I bet there was a lot of behind-the-scenes hollering here. They just ran out of time -- probably 15 months ago, actually. "No more covenant breaches" is probably the new Maloof family mantra.

The most important part, though, is Don't take this personally. You can still follow the team. I will not. It's a simple decision for me.

Giants, 49ers and Guess Who? for me. Easy to fill that blank in, eh? And if you're already an A's and Raiders fan, even easier.

 

[ArcoKings]

That sports bar looked half full. Hard to gauge. They should also 'test the water' in Riverside and San Bernardino County (Inland Empire) area sports bars by asking the patrons if they would go to the games. The Angels do a great job in marketing in the Inland Empire. No wonder they draw 3 million fans to the Big 'A'. I see way more Angel car decals, license plate frames, caps, T-shirts etc. here than Dodger merchandise. Its so close to O.C. without heavy traffic. Diamond lanes and the Pass will get you there in less than 40 minutes. You can even ride a bicycle from Riverside to the Big 'A' and the Honda Center via the Santa Ana River Trail by getting on the S.A.R.T. in Corona. I totally disagree with people that say the O.C. won't work for the Kings. As such, the Kings BELONG in Sacramento. Anything can happen in the next few weeks. It isn't over yet. Maybe the Hornets should move to Anaheim. Samueli? Are you listening?

 

[LilMissDiva]

Yup. The Maloof's are kicking a loyal fanbase right in the gut. Anaheim is going to get a unique opportunity to watch a young team grow into something special, and they don't even seem to care about it.

No they absolutely don't. That will just become Staples South, and with all the Laker fans that show up at RIP ARCO, can you imagine the scanario down there? It will be a joke.

 

[kupman]

What is more likely to happen:

1) The Maloofs establish a Kings fanbase in OC; or

2) Sacramento finds a way to build a new arena

I think I know how the Maloofs would vote (and it is the same as my vote).

 

[kennadog]

The big picture that you missed is there are fans here. You don't know how many people will go to mulitple games a year or how many will buy season tickets. There are certainly many people that CAN afford the tickets in the OC. I understand that you don't want there to be and rather the Maloofs fail. Thats understandable.

Sorry, but it doesn't even remotely match the welcome the Kings got when they arrived in Sacramento. When the Anaheim Royals get two of the top five longest sell-out streaks in NBA history, then maybe they can compare themselves to Sacramento fans. Remember, one of those sell-out streaks came in the years Sacramento was lousy.

I've been reading and watching fan reaction down there and it seems like a pretty lukewarm reception. Altho I guess they have started an interest list for season tickets.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Fact is if there were more enthusiastic people the news station would show them. What interest do they have in tanking this deal? Half full bar vs. full bar = smaller sample size = higher margin of error, sure but 1 out of 7 is lousy no matter what the margin of error is. Fact is poll after poll has shown lukewarm fan interest at best. Keep telling yourselves another city with a vacant arena and no pro teams in town wouldn't be 1000x more excited.

 

[Jim Les]

Sorry, but it doesn't even remotely match the welcome the Kings got when they arrived in Sacramento. When the Anaheim Royals get two of the top five longest sell-out streaks in NBA history, then maybe they can compare themselves to Sacramento fans. Remember, one of those sell-out streaks came in the years Sacramento was lousy.

I've been reading and watching fan reaction down there and it seems like a pretty lukewarm reception. Altho I guess they have started an interest list for season tickets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suxl-AoNSWY&feature=related

First 30 seconds or so. I doubt they'll get this support in Anaheim

 

[Kings Fan Gerard]

Wow, that video (in the first post) made me a bit sad. Those people (though a small number of them) don't even care about the Kings while people in SacTown are actually raising money to try build a new arena.

 

[ArcoKings]

What is more likely to happen:

1) The Maloofs establish a Kings fanbase in OC; or

2) Sacramento finds a way to build a new arena

I think I know how the Maloofs would vote (and it is the same as my vote).

I say B

 

[Peter_Gibbons]

Sorry, but it doesn't even remotely match the welcome the Kings got when they arrived in Sacramento. When the Anaheim Royals get two of the top five longest sell-out streaks in NBA history, then maybe they can compare themselves to Sacramento fans. Remember, one of those sell-out streaks came in the years Sacramento was lousy.

I've been reading and watching fan reaction down there and it seems like a pretty lukewarm reception. Altho I guess they have started an interest list for season tickets.

I wasn't comparing the welcome Sac gave to the Kings with the OC. Its obvious that Sac has supported the Kings very well in the past. No doubt about that. What the Maloofs are looking at is now. IF they file, they must feel that OC will make them more money and better for the team in the long run.

The thing is, Sac has not been great for the Maloofs in the last few years. Its can be the economy and lack of interest due to the team not performing well. As businessmen, they cannot look at what happen many years ago. Gone are the days of sell outs even with a non playoff team. Thats what the Maloofs are looking at and they must feel the can do better in Anaheim if they file.

I'm offering a locals view that its not all like what they showed in this clip. There are many NBA fans in the OC and will go to games just because the team is in their backyard. I'm not a clippers fan but I go to about 10 games a year even when they don't play the Kings because I enjoy basketball. Thats the potential I'm talking about.


As an aside, the Sacramento guy over did it? I assume that he was just mad at the Kings possibly moving, but calling them "losers" on TV just makes socal folks that don't know any better laugh at Sac residents which is totally undeserved.

 

[RKid]

Its going to take time for the Maloofs to build a fan base. Time and Winning. If I were the Maloofs I would totally re-brand the team and leave its history behind, and make it more "southern californian" as to appeal to new fans and southern californians turned off by the glitz of the lakers and the incompetence of the clippers. The whole royals gimmick is massively lame imho and they should leave that behind.

Im not surprised that the people in the bar were nonchalant about it, the maloofs just sprung this move on the world in february and the fans of so cal are well catered to by the Lakers basketball wise.

Personally I am conflicted by the move. On the one hand I like that the Lakers will get two more home games and the potential of a good so cal rivalry between the Clippers, Lakers and Royals. On the other hand the Kings get their meaning from the people of Sacramento and for them to ditch Sacramento to ME is a dirty betrayal and its wrong.

 

[Gary]

I wasn't comparing the welcome Sac gave to the Kings with the OC. Its obvious that Sac has supported the Kings very well in the past. No doubt about that. What the Maloofs are looking at is now. IF they file, they must feel that OC will make them more money and better for the team in the long run.

The thing is, Sac has not been great for the Maloofs in the last few years. Its can be the economy and lack of interest due to the team not performing well. As businessmen, they cannot look at what happen many years ago. Gone are the days of sell outs even with a non playoff team. Thats what the Maloofs are looking at and they must feel the can do better in Anaheim if they file.

I'm offering a locals view that its not all like what they showed in this clip. There are many NBA fans in the OC and will go to games just because the team is in their backyard. I'm not a clippers fan but I go to about 10 games a year even when they don't play the Kings because I enjoy basketball. Thats the potential I'm talking about.


As an aside, the Sacramento guy over did it? I assume that he was just mad at the Kings possibly moving, but calling them "losers" on TV just makes socal folks that don't know any better laugh at Sac residents which is totally undeserved.

And OC would support the product that they have put on the floor better than Sac you think? No way.. If the Maloofs don't plan on putting out a winner and they want to survive on the sellouts against the Lakers, Heat and Celtics and the TV deal while putting trash out on the floor than so be it. Anaheim would be a better money maker for that kind of team.

If they want to put a winner on the floor, get a new arena and in the long term make more money then Sac is probably the place to stay. Even if they made less in the TV deal the constant sellouts in a new arena would take them above what they would get in Anaheim with a trash product on the floor and a sellout here or there against a good opponent.