NBA's commitment to small market teams?

[Glenn]

Maybe they should put at least three NBA teams in the largest richest cities and skip all the drama else where. Who needs all these cow towns with no money. They can't get rich that way!

I know you mean an exaggeration. If all teams are in three cities, fan interest in all the other cities will die. As the NBA gets a LOT of money from TV, they need widespread viewer interest.

If my team plays LA and I hate LA, I will watch a final between LA and Boston. If I have no team, I have no anger at LA. I therefore will not care about the finals and will not watch.

 

[Glenn]

It is not and never has been suggested that the City of Sacramento fund an arena totally alone. Where does this idea come from?

 

[kennadog]

Maybe this is all true. But look at the way you worded it. We were warned. That is what won't ever fly with tax payers here. Why is it the sole responsability of the tax payers and the city to build a $400 million dollar arena. I would support it of course. But the rest of the non basketball fans won't.

Even if you know your moving the team at some point you still have to maintain the building. You still have to put something back in up to the last day. You write all that stuff off anyway.

To me, the right aproach would be to have other financial backing. Then come to the city with a real plan. Ok we have $150 mil. Can the city come up with the rest for a 30 year lease?

If Arco was done after ten years, that says that Lukenbil had no plan in place. He bought the Kings and moved them here in the middle of the night hoping the city would help him. That's the picture I'm getting.

First, no one has ever said the Sacramento should be totally responsible for all the costs. Ever. Even though many cities do build arenas, themselves, e.g., the beautiful arena Kansas City built and owns. Although not an NBA arena, Stockton built their own arena, despite very vocal citizen opposition.

Sacramento still is going to need a new sports/entertainment venue to replace PBP Arena. Now they'll have to do it with no anchor tenant. Unless they plan on not having an arena at all, pretty soon. The MAloofs have been putting money into maintenance, but maintenance isn't enough any more. Major capital improvements are need and the kind of improvements needed for an NBA acceptable arena could not be done cheaper than a new arena thanks to the configuration and cheap foundation.

Lukenbill built two arenas. He tried to get the city to help build an arena, but they turned him down, flat. So he could only afford to build a super cheap arena. Super cheap means not built to last long. Palace of Auburn Hills opened the same year as Arco II and cost twice as much. It was also built with future remodeling in mind and it has been remodeled. None of the Kings owners thought the city would never help. Sacramento has never helped build an arena or stadium.

Seattle lost the Sonics, but they had already helped build new baseball and football stadiums at that point.

 

[pshn80]

I'm sorry, but some of this is ridiculous. Sacramento got their first warning about needing a new arena 14 years ago, before the Mallofs even became owners of the Kings. How much warning were we supposed to get?

As to why a new arena was needed? Gee, the city's own consultant reports said quite a few years ago that the arena was approaching economic obsolescence. The NBA told us several years ago that our arena was not up to NBA standards, anymore. Hell, the NCAA rejected Arco as inadequate for NCAA tournaments two years ago. If this move comes as a surprise to anyone, they've been either stupid or deliberately obtuse about the arena situation.

We had fourteen years to work something out and it never happened. We still aren't even close to a viable arena plan. Good grief. Be upset the Kings are moving, but you can't seriously think we didn't have plenty of warnings. We played chicken with the train coming down the track. Big surprise we're gong to get run over.

Have the Maloofs said a word? No, they haven't. The very reason they should have said something is because, as you say, the arena has been inadequate for 14 years. I don't agree that we local cash supporters didn't need communication. kennadog, just don't agree. They still owe us.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Have the Maloofs said a word? No, they haven't. The very reason they should have said something is because, as you say, the arena has been inadequate for 14 years. I don't agree that we local cash supporters didn't need communication. kennadog, just don't agree. They still owe us.

PR has never really been their strong suit. They did great stuff with cross branding, making the Palms launch huge with tie ins to the Kings and reality tv shows. Then they shot themselves in the foot with the 6000 burger. But they've never really been great just speaking for themselves, and it's definitely hurt them over the years.

 

[kennadog]

Have the Maloofs said a word? No, they haven't. The very reason they should have said something is because, as you say, the arena has been inadequate for 14 years. I don't agree that we local cash supporters didn't need communication. kennadog, just don't agree. They still owe us.

What word did you want them to say? After the convergence plan flopped, Stern washed his hands of Sacramento. The Maloofs have been trying to get an arena deal done, since they bought majority interest.

What the hell did people want? I remember the Maloofs got grief for years in this town, because people said they better not blackmail us by saying they're going to move, if they don't get a new arena.

So now you're saying they should have blackmailed the city much sooner? Yeah, like that would have gone over well. The Maloofs were pretty much damend if they did say they were going to move and now damned, because they didn't say it sooner. Good grief.

We all knew this would happen with no new arena. It was a fact a long time ago. Every city, consultant report said Arco needed to be replaced. I can't see how anyone can be taken by surprise over this.

 

[Glenn]

What word did you want them to say? After the convergence plan flopped, Stern washed his hands of Sacramento. The Maloofs have been trying since the bought majority interest to get a deal done. What the hell did people want? I remember the Maloofs got grief for years in this town, because people said they better not blackmail us by saying they're going to move, if they don't get a new arena.

So now you're saying they should have blackmailed the city much sooner? Yeah, like that would have gone over well. They Maloofs were pretty much damend if they did say they were going to move and now damned, because they didn't say it sooner. Good grief.

Xenophobia. The outsider is wrong no matter what they do.

 

[pshn80]

What word did you want them to say? After the convergence plan flopped, Stern washed his hands of Sacramento. The Maloofs have been trying to get an arena deal done, since they bought majority interest.

What the hell did people want? I remember the Maloofs got grief for years in this town, because people said they better not blackmail us by saying they're going to move, if they don't get a new arena.

So now you're saying they should have blackmailed the city much sooner? Yeah, like that would have gone over well. The Maloofs were pretty much damend if they did say they were going to move and now damned, because they didn't say it sooner. Good grief.

We all knew this would happen with no new arena. It was a fact a long time ago. Every city, consultant report said Arco needed to be replaced. I can't see how anyone can be taken by surprise over this.

I'm sorry but your words don't change my mind. They have been particularly silent when they have needed most to communicate, at least with season ticket holders. Am I surprised if they move now? No. Do I blame them for moving? No. Do I understand why they are moving? Yes. But they have not shown the respect they owe those that have supported them financially. It's plain and simple.

 

[Glenn]

Can I have a rewind on something? The Kings were threatened by the NBA a $1 mil fine if they talked about something. They were advised to stay away from the Feb 28th game but went anyway. Does anyone remember why such advice and what the fine would be about?

 

[kennadog]

Can I have a rewind on something? The Kings were threatened by the NBA a $1 mil fine if they talked about something. They were advised to stay away from the Feb 28th game but went anyway. Does anyone remember why such advice and what the fine would be about?

I believe the NBA didn't want them to say anything further regarding an arena in Sacramento. Stern was done with Sacramento.

 

[Glenn]

I believe the NBA didn't want them to say anything further regarding an arena in Sacramento. Stern was done with Sacramento.

Do you know why they were advised not to show up at the Feb 28 game? I just think the "oooh, the Maloofs are quiet and owe us something" is a stretch. So it had nothing to do with moving.

It seemed more that Stern was disgusted. Pretty fed up that's for sure. The Maloofs endured this much longer and from Day 1. I'm not sure what they owe the City. As to what they owe the fans other than a good basketball team, I think they need to watch their mouth especially with how much they like to chatter. It's their pocketbook in jeopardy.

 

[hrdboild]

They were advised not to comment any more about the possible move to Anaheim. But the so-called "gag order" was given to all the owners and it regards the upcoming collective bargaining agreement which the NBA doesn't want anyone to comment on publicly anymore. Probably the players were given a similar order.