My motivation for building this site and why I want a new arena.
My name is Michael, I am a 30 year old Kings Fan with a little bit of technicial computer skill. This is important only in the fact that I was able to build this site using that skill. I am by no means a web designer which is why you are not going to see too many fancy graphics. If you read the home page then you know that the main goal of the site is to draw attention to the fact that there are fans out there that want a new arena so a fancy graphics are not really necessary.
I am pretty much in favor of whatever it takes to keep the Kings here. Yes, I would pay higher taxes and even a higher seat price if it meant the Kings staying. That is how much I want them to stay. I have been called stupid for my stance and I have heard all the arguments against a new arena. These arguments are valid and make good points but after all those good points are made I still want a new arena. My job does not pay great money and I don't own a house. I have a modest savings and that is about it. I say this because I only get to go to about three Kings games a year and I can barely afford the ones I go to but I STILL want a new arena. I still want the Kings to stay. I watch them on TV and if they leave and I have to buy the league pass at $189.00 every year so I would gladly give $189.00 a year to support a new arena. It is easy for me to say I would pay higher taxes and higher ticket prices, I 'm not married and I have very few financial obligations so higher taxes wouldn't affect me too much. I am sure there are others like me that want to see a new arena at *almost* any cost.
The Maloof's are business men and they are going to do what is good for their business. It stands to reason that if they can go to another city and make more money in a brand new arena that is exactly what they are going to do. They can't come out and say this because business at the level theirs is at also involves politics and you have to be careful what you say. It is simply a fact that business want to make money and when it comes down to it, the loyalty to the city will lose the battle to higher profits.
I can't blame them for wanting to make more money, I would too. I know the Maloofs are billionaires and this was a big argument in the past about funding a new arena but simply put, I don't care that they are billionaires that doesn't change my reality. I want the team to stay and if it means me paying higher taxes so the rich get richer, in this case I will do it. I am the average working person, I go to work Monday through Friday 8 to 5 and get two weeks of vacation a year, but one of the simple things in life that I enjoy is sitting down with a beer and watching these athletes do things that most of us can't, I get enjoyment out of it. I get excited during the playoffs, I get nervous before a big matchup with a rival, I yell at the refs through my TV screen and jump up and down when Bibby hits the big shot.
You want to know what Sacramento is without the Kings? We're Omaha, Nebraska......we're Mesa, Arizona.....we're Fresno. All of those Cities have about our population and a Wal-Mart and a Sears, but those cities don't have a major league sports team. That is what the Kings do for Sacramento. It can't be measured in dollars and cents. If we don't get a new arena and the Kings leave Phil Jackson will be right, we're just a cow town, good thing we have all those bells.
--Mike
