Maloofs still on fence about move

[Glenn]

We know the NBA model is broken. That's what the CBA is for. I don't see why you're bringing it up in regards to the Maloofs. Do you see the other 21 owners who lost money trying to shoehorn their teams into a top 5 market?

A twist on your hatred for the Maloofs because of the sin they have performed on your body is perhaps they are heros for exposing the NBA's model for what it is. It is a big city and ultra-rich man's game that needs smaller areas to either hit is lucky in the draft or have owners willling to lose money. They Maloofs are not willing to lose money.

Are you willing to lose money? What would you do if your job was not offering you a living wage and another job looked better?

 

[Trueblood]

What I find offensive about you, is that you cannot look at seeing the big picture without getting a shot at the Maloofs. I read what you said. The NBA at this moment in time has changed nothing. They have talked about change. The Maloofs have been talking for years. Until there is action by the NBA I'd be looking out for my own ***.

They can't change anything until the cba is ratified. That's what they're doing now.

And don't believe everything you read. Just because a bunch of owners say they're losing a certain amount doesn't mean jack. EVERY business in America under reports what they make or over reports what they "lose". Lots of sources have counterpointed the owner's claims and they never come back with a retort.

Also, you have to read between the lines. When someone says that they're losing money, do they mean they're actually in the red or are that they aren't making as much as they like. Some owners take every unsold ticket, add it up and report that as a "loss" even if they are profitable.

Stern says the league is losing "$400 million". But if you add up the Forbes numbers, they actually show a positive flow of between $150 and $200 million, meaning that the average teams makes a $6 million profit. Improve the revenue sharing model and you easily get a league where all but just a few teams will make money.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

A twist on your hatred for the Maloofs because of the sin they have performed on your body ius perhaps they are heros for exposing the NBA's model for what it is. It is a big city and ultra-rich man's game that needs smaller areas to either hit is lucky in the draft or have owners willling to lose money. They Maloofs are not willing to lose money.

Are you willing to lose money?

No I'm not, but that's because I have very little money, lol. If I was rich I wouldn't mind losing money. And if I did mind it and I was in the Maloof's place, I'd just sell the team. But this is irrelevant because Sacramento has stepped up big time to support them.

 

[Glenn]

I see the big picture. Part of that picture is that the Maloofs helped dig this hole by putting crap on the court and asking premium prices to watch it.

One person's crap is another person's blowing up a team and rebuilding. They have rebuilt by getting great draft picks.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

One person's crap is another person's blowing up a team and rebuilding. They have rebuilt by getting great draft picks.

That doesn't excuse the high ticket prices for a non-playoff team.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

It seems as though they are considering they didn't even ask sponsors for money. And Burkle thinks it will work here.

That's the most telling thing. When the mayor gets more done in two weeks than the Maloofs have in years, it pretty much tells you that the problem is more with the owners than the city.

 

[Glenn]

No I'm not, but that's because I have very little money, lol. If I was rich I wouldn't mind losing money. And if I did mind it and I was in the Maloof's place, I'd just sell the team. But this is irrelevant because Sacramento has stepped up big time to support them.

If it is irrelevant, let's quit talking. It is very simplistic to say that what Sacramento is doing should have happened a year ago or a decade ago and was even possible. HereWeStay and HereWeBuild would not have existed. KJ wouldn't have been as active and wasn't. The Maloofs indication that they might leave mobilized a community that was very content until the last few months for the other guy to take care of things. Now they know this sleepy town attitude will not allow them to compete with cities of a different attitude. The attitude has shifted and I am proud of the city.

To say all of this was available, especially Comcast willing to renegotiate a contract a year ago, is simplistic and perhaps just wrong. Sacramento is in a different place than it has been before. The dependable Kings need more than inaction.

 

[Glenn]

That doesn't excuse the high ticket prices for a non-playoff team.

So to make money, they move. Simple solution don't you think? They are not allowed to rebuid their team because people will not tolerate a team that is bad for a few years, they cannot raise their ticket prices because people can't affford thet (I understand this 'cause I don't go either and was once a season ticket holder - I am priced out of seeing the NBA) and they can't move.

They are supposed to lose money. Why?

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

If it is irrelevant, let's quit talking. It is very simplistic to say that what Sacramento is doing should have happened a year ago or a decade ago and was even possible. HereWeStay and HereWeBuild would not have existed. KJ wouldn't have been as active and wasn't. The Maloofs indication that they might leave mobilized a community that was very content until the last few months for the other guy to take care of things. Now they know this sleepy town attitude will not allow them to compete with cities of a different attitude. The attitude has shifted and I am proud of the city.

To say all of this was available, especially Comcast willing to renegotiate a contract a year ago, is simplistic and perhaps just wrong. Sacramento is in a different place than it has been before. The dependable Kings need more than inaction.

It would have happened sooner had the Magoofs given us a deadline rather than cooking up back-room deal with Samueli at the last minute. How are you even defending these guys? It'd be one thing if the Kings were their only problem but the Kings make the third business they've run into the ground. That tells me the problem is likely the driver and not the car.

 

[Glenn]

It's not naive or wrong when this line was written by Amick today:

"Questions arose about why the Maloofs weren't involved in this effort, with various officials indicating they could have been there if they had so desired."

The feeling of desperation has opened pocket books. Local business men suddenly have figured it out what the team is worth to them. It's about time. I brought up Comcast because they wouldn't have renogotiated a year ago. They will now. If you have the answer to why they are suddenly willing to pay more you may have the answer to why other businesses are stepping up. I don't have a clue as to the efforts of the team to get sponsors in the past. Do you?

You assume one thing and I assume another. Neither of us has facts.

 

[Glenn]

Are you missing the reality that they are not supposed to lose money in Sacramento as Clay Bennett, David Stern, and others are finally realizing?

No.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

So to make money, they move. Simple solution don't you think? They are not allowed to rebuid their team because people will not tolerate a team that is bad for a few years, they cannot raise their ticket prices because people can't affford thet (I understand this 'cause I don't go either and was once a season ticket holder - I am priced out of seeing the NBA) and they can't move.

They are supposed to lose money. Why?

People have tolerated the rebuild but the high prices that go with it were too much. Sure there was a drop in attendance but that happens even in the largest markets during a rebuild.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

The feeling of desperation has opened pocket books. Local business men suddenly have figured it out what the team is worth to them. It's about time. I brought up Comcast because they wouldn't have renogotiated a year ago. They will now. If you have the answer to why they are suddenly willing to pay more you may have the answer to why other businesses are stepping up. I don't have a clue as to the efforts of the team to get sponsors in the past. Do you?

You assume one thing and I assume another. Neither of us has facts.

Come on, man, businesses have said that the Magoofs stooped communicating with them.

 

[Glenn]

Come on, man, businesses have said that the Magoofs stooped communicating with them.

Give the sources and when this communications stopped.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Give the sources and when this communications stopped.

It was reported by Amick.

 

[Glenn]

But you are right that you are making an assumption that Comcast would not have renegotiated last year.

Give me a break. I have treated you with respect because you seem to have fully functioning brain. It is not an assumption concerning Comcast because they DIDN'T renogiate last year. We aren't speaking the same language. What to you is assumption is to me a fact and that is directly concerning what Comcast did last year. Nothing.

Our deal with Comcast is $11 mil per year with the league low being the Bobcats at $9 mil. The league average is $20 mil per year.

NOW Comcast will renogiate. Why?

I want some one to coherently answer the question. "why is Comcast renogiating now." I believe anyone paying attention knows my guess.

 

[funkykingston]

All I know is that 22 teams lost money last year.

For fun and giggles, I'll bet you can quickly rattle off the 8 teams that made money. LA, New York, Boston, Chicago etc. I'll spot you 4 teams.

Well, if Grant Napear is to believed, the Kings did not lose money this year. He said as much on his radio show Monday. Of course, that's not a great argument since they had the league's lowest payroll, but the team seemingly turned a profit.

Again, I am all for revenue sharing and leveling the playing field, but small market teams can AND have made money under the existing CBA.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Give me a break. I have treated you with respect because you seem to have fully functioning brain. It is not an assumption concerning Comcast because they DIDN'T renogiate last year. We aren't speaking the same language. What to you is assumption is to me a fact and that is directly concerning what Comcast did last year. Nothing.

Our deal with Comcast is $11 mil per year with the league low being the Bobcats at $9 mil. The league average is $20 mil per year.

NOW Comcast will renogiate. Why?

I want some one to coherently answer the question. "why is Comcast renogiating now." I believe anyone paying attention knows my guess.

So what, was Comcast supposed to offer them more money just to be cool? Obviously they aren't going to renegotiate unless they have to. The point is, now that they have to, they're willing to.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Well, if Grant Napear is to believed, the Kings did not lose money this year. He said as much on his radio show Monday. Of course, that's not a great argument since they had the league's lowest payroll, but the team seemingly turned a profit.

Again, I am all for revenue sharing and leveling the playing field, but small market teams can AND have made money under the existing CBA.

I think we will never really know whether anyone makes or loses money because of the way corporate accounting works in this country. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the teams themselves "lose money" while the owners actually make money through side operations. The owners ALWAYS want the perception that they lose since they have to renegotiate CBAs, tv deals and new arenas every so often. But we'll never know the truth unless all the books are opened.

That said the NBA model is definitely broken because teams in a handful of markets are always going to be far better off than the remaining markets in the league and something needs to be done to adjust for that.

 

[Livinthedream]

It is a fact that they didn't renegotiate, but the reason as to why is left to assumption. Like you, one can fairly say it's because there's the clear and present threat of moving--but that's on the Maloofs for not making it clear and present earlier. On the other hand, it could be that the Maloofs simply didn't ask Comcast to renegotiate--a reasonable inference considering the Maloofs didn't ask other sponsors for money.

This is what I have said in the past. Why would Comcast renegotiate if the weren't asked, pressured or sold into it? I think if there was a major push by the Maloofs to renegotiate with Comcast, that news would have come out at some point. If there were major efforts to drum up any additional sponsorships in the recent past, the relocation committee would know about it and it would have shaped their opinions differently. All indications we have gotten so far from news reports is that businesses were not approached by the Maloofs. You can be assured that the NBA marketing guys that came in Tuesday asked businesses the last time the Maloofs contacted them. If those answers favored the Maloofs, it would have made the whole pledge thing suspect. But the NBA left satisfied by all reports.

 

[Larry David]

Yet at the same time, according to an interview Grant had with KJ last fall, Stern has told KJ the Kings have lost money the last few years in a row. I'm not sure what to believe on this issue but it looks like someone(s) is talking on both sides of their mouths.

Grant's trying to straddle: (1) not having a job with the Kings, and keeping a local radio show with fans that hate the Maloofs; and (2) hoping to remain employed by the Maloofs - whether that's here, the OC, or the moon.

Even for Grant, its leading to some very fuzzy logic. He can't defend the Maloofs like Glenn, but he can't attack them ... and he'll say anything he thinks will get the locals to fund an arena - thereby keeping both jobs here - logic, reason and consistency by damned.

 

[Warhawk]

Grant's trying to straddle: (1) not having a job with the Kings, and keeping a local radio show with fans that hate the Maloofs; and (2) hoping to remain employed by the Maloofs - whether that's here, the OC, or the moon.

Even for Grant, its leading to some very fuzzy logic. He can't defend the Maloofs like Glenn, but he can't attack them ... and he'll say anything he thinks will get the locals to fund an arena - thereby keeping both jobs here - logic, reason and consistency by damned.

True, but the assumption that the two statements are conflicting isn't necessarily true. The Kings payroll is slashed this year. They reportedly will turn a small profit or at least break even after the midseason trades dropped us to a league-low salary. They may also have lost money the last few years like Stern has said. They are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

This is what I have said in the past. Why would Comcast renegotiate if the weren't asked, pressured or sold into it? I think if there was a major push by the Maloofs to renegotiate with Comcast, that news would have come out at some point. If there were major efforts to drum up any additional sponsorships in the recent past, the relocation committee would know about it and it would have shaped their opinions differently. All indications we have gotten so far from news reports is that businesses were not approached by the Maloofs. You can be assured that the NBA marketing guys that came in Tuesday asked businesses the last time the Maloofs contacted them. If those answers favored the Maloofs, it would have made the whole pledge thing suspect. But the NBA left satisfied by all reports.

Most likely they are renegotiating to keep the Kings from moving and signing a deal with Time Warner who serves the majority of Orange County. Better to make less money off the Kings than no money at all.

 

[Glenn]

So what, was Comcast supposed to offer them more money just to be cool? Obviously they aren't going to renegotiate unless they have to. The point is, now that they have to, they're willing to.

Exactly.

 

[Bricklayer]

People have tolerated the rebuild but the high prices that go with it were too much. Sure there was a drop in attendance but that happens even in the largest markets during a rebuild.

It didn't use to happen in Sacto. Basically the entire appeal of the Sacramento market is that its fans were supposed to be different/better. For 20 years they were. But they got spoiled and until finally in desperation there was a partial revival of the old spirit, the fans were showing up in smaller numbers than anywhere else in the league. I should note if that happens again next year, it may still be bye bye Kings. In Sacramento the fans ARE the franchise. If they don't show they care, plenty of cities can match the rest of the package.

 

[Livinthedream]

Most likely they are renegotiating to keep the Kings from moving and signing a deal with Time Warner who serves the majority of Orange County. Better to make less money off the Kings than no money at all.

Yeah. That's why they are doing it now. No reason to do it in the past.

 

[Gary]

Like I said before... Maloofs need a bailout. They are already in a hole with Sacramento so asking for more money is out of the question. In comes Samueli with a loan, and Anaheim with another loan.. This is money they need IMMEDIATELY. They won't be able to do anything with $10mil in sponsorship money because they are WAY too far in the red.. They are WAY worse off than they are leading people to believe. Bankruptcy is next folks... Being totally serious.. They are trying to stay afloat with friggin loans while bailing on another loan. That's not how to do business unless you are so far into the red that only immediate money will save you.

This whole Arena excuse they are using is a diversion.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Like I said before... Maloofs need a bailout. They are already in a hole with Sacramento so asking for more money is out of the question. In comes Samueli with a loan, and Anaheim with another loan.. This is money they need IMMEDIATELY. They won't be able to do anything with $10mil in sponsorship money because they are WAY too far in the red.. They are WAY worse off than they are leading people to believe. Bankruptcy is next folks... Being totally serious.. They are trying to stay afloat with friggin loans while bailing on another loan. That's not how to do business unless you are so far into the red that only immediate money will save you.

This whole Arena excuse they are using is a diversion.

I think that's about the gist of it. Which is why they should just sell and get it over with. With the money they could get for the team they could pay off Sacramento, the NBA, and still have 100 million or so left for their other business ventures..

 

[The Hammer]

Like I said before... Maloofs need a bailout. They are already in a hole with Sacramento so asking for more money is out of the question. In comes Samueli with a loan, and Anaheim with another loan.. This is money they need IMMEDIATELY. They won't be able to do anything with $10mil in sponsorship money because they are WAY too far in the red.. They are WAY worse off than they are leading people to believe. Bankruptcy is next folks... Being totally serious.. They are trying to stay afloat with friggin loans while bailing on another loan. That's not how to do business unless you are so far into the red that only immediate money will save you.

This whole Arena excuse they are using is a diversion.

Gary-- that might be the case, but can you say more about the exact facts of why you think so? Is it just a hunch? No problem if it is. I just want to hear more support for your statement.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Gary-- that might be the case, but can you say more about the exact facts of why you think so? Is it just a hunch? No problem if it is. I just want to hear more support for your statement.

I'm not answering for Gary here, but I think the signs are everywhere. All the cost cutting moves scream going broke to me. One thing the Maloofs never were is cheap. The only reason I can see for why they'd suddenly become cheap is if they were running out of money. They need big time loans just to keep running the Kings. Samueli was willing to give them that and the rest in history.