Sobering new words from KJ

[Arena Skeptic]

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/featur.../07/21/sacramento-kings-future-kevin-johnson/

From the article:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Kevin Johnson, the mayor of an NBA-mad city about to lose its team, was privately targeting a replacement team last season for Sacramento, even identifying top candidates: the Hornets, the Hawks, the Pistons, all vulnerable, he thought, to be looted in the same way Anaheim was about to grab the Kings.

Johnson has been a realist throughout his city's bid to retain the Kings, a role that has served him as well as the role of head cheerleader. He plotted the response strike last spring. He declared the decades-long romance between the team and the town all but over in the closing days of the regular season. (The Kings had, in fact, decided to leave. Only the inability of Anaheim to close the deal kept the team in Northern California for next season and provided one final chance to find funding for a new arena.)

And now Johnson knows this: that if the Kings leave after this one final push, the NBA probably isn't returning, the way it went back to Charlotte and could still be lured back to Seattle.

The mayor saying that this is Sacramento's last stand is not shocking. What is interesting is that the message comes from the biggest glass offices at league HQ, too, Johnson told NBA.com.

"I'm going to say that commissioner (David) Stern has told me in no uncertain terms," Johnson said, "that it would be very difficult -- 'Your best bet is to try to figure out how to make it happen while you have 'em here, and that's building a facility. If you don't have a facility, your chances of keeping or getting a team are going to be nil to none.' "

Nil to none. Somewhere between zero and zero.

 

[Agent23]

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/featur.../07/21/sacramento-kings-future-kevin-johnson/

From the article:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Kevin Johnson, the mayor of an NBA-mad city about to lose its team, was privately targeting a replacement team last season for Sacramento, even identifying top candidates: the Hornets, the Hawks, the Pistons, all vulnerable, he thought, to be looted in the same way Anaheim was about to grab the Kings.

Johnson has been a realist throughout his city's bid to retain the Kings, a role that has served him as well as the role of head cheerleader. He plotted the response strike last spring. He declared the decades-long romance between the team and the town all but over in the closing days of the regular season. (The Kings had, in fact, decided to leave. Only the inability of Anaheim to close the deal kept the team in Northern California for next season and provided one final chance to find funding for a new arena.)

And now Johnson knows this: that if the Kings leave after this one final push, the NBA probably isn't returning, the way it went back to Charlotte and could still be lured back to Seattle.

The mayor saying that this is Sacramento's last stand is not shocking. What is interesting is that the message comes from the biggest glass offices at league HQ, too, Johnson told NBA.com.

"I'm going to say that commissioner (David) Stern has told me in no uncertain terms," Johnson said, "that it would be very difficult -- 'Your best bet is to try to figure out how to make it happen while you have 'em here, and that's building a facility. If you don't have a facility, your chances of keeping or getting a team are going to be nil to none.' "

Nil to none. Somewhere between zero and zero.

This isn't really anything new.

 

[Purple Reign]

On July 21, 2011 at 8:58am, we are in the final two minutes of overtime in a tied Game Seven. On September 8 the horn sounds, and if Think Big Sacramento does not have viable financing options for the Sports and Entertainment Facility, the game is over.

But with the ball in KJ's hands, the game is not over yet. In my opinion, Ron Burkle and AEG has to be a part of this process particularly in private investment. They are the only two "known" entities with deep pockets. If Johnson can get them on board, we have a shot.

 

[Section 101]

This title is worse than one's the Bee comes up with.

This is not new information. And you only post the first part of the article, not the second part that is positive.

 

[Arena Skeptic]

This isn't really anything new.

Really? Where else has he said those words? I haven't seen 'em anywhere.

"No," Johnson said in a city hall interview at almost the exact moment the league released the 2011-12 schedule. "There's not a backup plan because we control our own destiny. In those other scenarios (last season), the Kings were making a choice and we had to react to what they did. Right now, if we build it, then they will stay here. If we can't figure out a way to build it, they're going to potentially leave and I will be back in trying to figure it out. But I've still got to build a facility or nobody's going to come anyway."

These words are from either Tuesday or Wednesday.

 

[Bricklayer]

Sobering how exactly? Relatively self-evident, and actually probably useful if it helps kill the delusion that "oh, we'll just get another team" and helps keep people focused on the task at hand, which is keeping the one you have. If I was the mayor in a push for a new stadium, I would actually be leaking this anywhere and everywhere I could.

 

[Agent23]

Really? Where else has he said those words? I haven't seen 'em anywhere.

"No," Johnson said in a city hall interview at almost the exact moment the league released the 2011-12 schedule. "There's not a backup plan because we control our own destiny. In those other scenarios (last season), the Kings were making a choice and we had to react to what they did. Right now, if we build it, then they will stay here. If we can't figure out a way to build it, they're going to potentially leave and I will be back in trying to figure it out. But I've still got to build a facility or nobody's going to come anyway."

These words are from either Tuesday or Wednesday.

What I meant by nothing new, is that most of this common knowledge by people who are following the arena saga closely. Since your name is "Arena Skeptic", you are obviously trying to cast more doom and gloom on an already doom and gloom situation.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

This is exactly what he should be saying. Now or never. If we build it they will stay, if we can't get it done our prospects for the future aren't good. What would you rather he say "Awww shucks guys, it's really not that important to do this now."???

 

[Warhawk]

If you don't have a facility, your chances of keeping or getting a team are going to be nil to none.

Well, duh. I mean, does this strike anyone as new? OF COURSE WE WON'T GET A NEW TEAM IF THE KINGS LEAVE IF WE DON'T HAVE A NEW ARENA. Isn't that the point of this????

 

[Livinthedream]

This might be news to many on the national scene, which the article is directed at. But, people in Sacramento have already known that the best thing you can do is keep the team you have. You can guarantee the Kings staying if you build the arena now. Let the Kings leave and you lose control of your destiny. Looking at it honestly, if I had a team that I needed to move, Sacramento would not be on the top of my list, even with a new arena. Wouldn't even be tops in Northern California.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Well, duh. I mean, does this strike anyone as new? OF COURSE WE WON'T GET A NEW TEAM IF THE KINGS LEAVE IF WE DON'T HAVE A NEW ARENA. Isn't that the point of this????

Wait, you mean if the Kings leave, the NBA won't approve another team moving into the dumpy facility formerly known as ARCO? I thought all 29 teams were simply lining up for a chance to move into an expired, ramshackle building. You're telling me the NBA wasn't putting pressure on the Knicks to move out of MSG and into the PBP? SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!!

In other words, this is nothing new. The situation is pretty simple. I'll outline it quickly so that the Skeptic can easily understand.
1) If we have funding secured for an arena by March 1st, the Kings will stay, because the NBA will not let them leave.
2) If we do not achieve 1), the Kings will leave because the NBA will not stop them.
3) If 2) happens, Sacramento will not have any chance at another NBA team until there is a new facility, and even with a new facility there are no guarantees.

We've known this for months. Try to keep up.

 

[kupman]

Have I been transported back in time? Or, am I living 3 months in the future? I ask, because I read and heard all of this like 3 months ago.

What is the point of this thread?

 

[Spike]

^ What the Capt. said.

 

[Hoovtrain]

Really? Where else has he said those words? I haven't seen 'em anywhere.

"No," Johnson said in a city hall interview at almost the exact moment the league released the 2011-12 schedule. "There's not a backup plan because we control our own destiny. In those other scenarios (last season), the Kings were making a choice and we had to react to what they did. Right now, if we build it, then they will stay here. If we can't figure out a way to build it, they're going to potentially leave and I will be back in trying to figure it out. But I've still got to build a facility or nobody's going to come anyway."

These words are from either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Yeah really. This is NOTHING new. I love the title of the thread though, so melodramatic.

 

[Arena Skeptic]

What I meant by nothing new, is that most of this common knowledge by people who are following the arena saga closely. Since your name is "Arena Skeptic", you are obviously trying to cast more doom and gloom on an already doom and gloom situation.

Wrong, actually. This is a new news report from today, that had not yet been linked to here. If it had been linked to here, I wouldn't have said a word.

I actually think they'll extend the March 1 deadline.

 

[Section 101]

Wrong, actually. This is a new news report from today, that had not yet been linked to here. If it had been linked to here, I wouldn't have said a word.

I actually think they'll extend the March 1 deadline.

There's an NBA lockout going on. This must be new news since there's an article out today on it.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I actually think they'll extend the March 1 deadline.

Interesting. I'm not at all optimistic that the NBA would extend that deadline on behalf of the city of Sacramento. Then again, I really, truly hope that such an extension is unnecessary. The way it looks to me, KJ is working hard enough on this issue that it will either be in the bag or clearly not feasible by well before March 1 anyway.

 

[rainmaker]

Huh? This is only news to those who either live under a rock, or on Mars.

 

[Section 101]

Interesting. I'm not at all optimistic that the NBA would extend that deadline on behalf of the city of Sacramento. Then again, I really, truly hope that such an extension is unnecessary. The way it looks to me, KJ is working hard enough on this issue that it will either be in the bag or clearly not feasible by well before March 1 anyway.

Like it's been said before too, even if they want to move to anaheim after March 1st deadline there are still other obsticles to that location.

 

[kennadog]

Wrong, actually. This is a new news report from today, that had not yet been linked to here. If it had been linked to here, I wouldn't have said a word.

I actually think they'll extend the March 1 deadline.

If anyone actually thought wecould get another NBA team without building a new facility, they must have lost their brains to zombies.

This is all a rehash of what we've known for some time, or at least its been clear to me. To keep the Kings here, this is our last chance. As for getting any NBA team in the futre, if we lost the Kings, it would be difficult, but certainly will not happen if we don't build a new facility. Personally, I'd like to keep the team we have now.

It may be a recently posted article, but there isn't one iota of new information.

"I'm going to say that commissioner (David) Stern has told me in no uncertain terms," Johnson said, "that it would be very difficult -- 'Your best bet is to try to figure out how to make it happen while you have 'em here, and that's building a facility. If you don't have a facility, your chances of keeping or getting a team are going to be nil to none.' "

 

[Brac-o-matic]

It may be a recently posted article, but there isn't one iota of new information.

As mentioned before, if nothing else, it puts an end once and for all to the horse hockey of someone like Burkle buying a team in another market, and moving them to Sac. Which hasn't really been discussed for a while...but it was brought up by KJ when it looked like the team was moving..

 

[Warhawk]

As mentioned before, if nothing else, it puts an end once and for all to the horse hockey of someone like Burkle buying a team in another market, and moving them to Sac. Which hasn't really been discussed for a while...but it was brought up by KJ when it looked like the team was moving..

No it doesn't, as long as an arena is built.

 

[Dreadnought]

From someone who has not been keeping up with arena progress that much, I was just wondering what is stopping someone like Burkle form buying the Hornets for the Kings? Was there not talk he was willing to just buy a team?

 

[Capt. Factorial]

From someone who has not been keeping up with arena progress that much, I was just wondering what is stopping someone like Burkle form buying the Hornets for the Kings? Was there not talk he was willing to just buy a team?

I'm not entirely sure what the question means. You may be referring to the rumors that Burkle might buy the Hornets, and then swap the Hornets for the Kings, keeping the Kings in Sacramento and allowing the Maloofs to move the Hornets to Anaheim (or wherever). I don't think that was ever a serious proposal, just an idea floated on the web. First and foremost the Maloofs would have to sign off on it, which there is no indication they'd be willing to do (just as there's no indication they're willing to sell). There's also not a lot of evidence that the NBA wants a third SoCal team in Anaheim, where the Maloofs want to go. And with the CBA coming up, I'm not really sure the NBA is even particularly interested in selling the Hornets right now. And even if the Maloofs were to leave Sacramento after this year, the NBA would never let Burkle buy the Hornets and move them to Sacramento unless there were an arena plan actually in motion.

The point is, Burkle isn't really in a position to "save" us right now (if he's even interested in saving us in particular, rather than simply getting into the NBA). If circumstances change he may be a backup plan, but right now it's basically arena or bust.

 

[Section 101]

I'm not entirely sure what the question means. You may be referring to the rumors that Burkle might buy the Hornets, and then swap the Hornets for the Kings, keeping the Kings in Sacramento and allowing the Maloofs to move the Hornets to Anaheim (or wherever). I don't think that was ever a serious proposal, just an idea floated on the web. First and foremost the Maloofs would have to sign off on it, which there is no indication they'd be willing to do (just as there's no indication they're willing to sell). There's also not a lot of evidence that the NBA wants a third SoCal team in Anaheim, where the Maloofs want to go. And with the CBA coming up, I'm not really sure the NBA is even particularly interested in selling the Hornets right now. And even if the Maloofs were to leave Sacramento after this year, the NBA would never let Burkle buy the Hornets and move them to Sacramento unless there were an arena plan actually in motion.

The point is, Burkle isn't really in a position to "save" us right now (if he's even interested in saving us in particular, rather than simply getting into the NBA). If circumstances change he may be a backup plan, but right now it's basically arena or bust.

Actually, KJ did suggest the swap with the Maloofs and they said no.

 

[Dreadnought]

That's the point I didn't know. I was under the impression it was under the Maloofs' discretion to keep or move the Kings, and that if Burkle was our savior, he could move the Hornets here and we would just pretend the Kings were never even here. Didn't know the NBA would actually not allow that to happen as well.

 

[SacTownKid]

Yeah, that would be wrong. Since day one of KJ trying to keep in the NBA in Sac he's made it VERY clear that without a new building it WILL NOT HAPPEN. I remember even hearing that Burkle was on that same boat and he said he WILL NOT build his own arena.

 

[kennadog]

Yeah, that would be wrong. Since day one of KJ trying to keep in the NBA in Sac he's made it VERY clear that without a new building it WILL NOT HAPPEN. I remember even hearing that Burkle was on that same boat and he said he WILL NOT build his own arena.

Burkle did not say he wouldn't contribute to a new building. And he certainly ahs tons more money than the Maloofs.

 

[twosomeca]

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/featur.../07/21/sacramento-kings-future-kevin-johnson/

From the article:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Kevin Johnson, the mayor of an NBA-mad city about to lose its team, was privately targeting a replacement team last season for Sacramento, even identifying top candidates: the Hornets, the Hawks, the Pistons, all vulnerable, he thought, to be looted in the same way Anaheim was about to grab the Kings.

Johnson has been a realist throughout his city's bid to retain the Kings, a role that has served him as well as the role of head cheerleader. He plotted the response strike last spring. He declared the decades-long romance between the team and the town all but over in the closing days of the regular season. (The Kings had, in fact, decided to leave. Only the inability of Anaheim to close the deal kept the team in Northern California for next season and provided one final chance to find funding for a new arena.)

And now Johnson knows this: that if the Kings leave after this one final push, the NBA probably isn't returning, the way it went back to Charlotte and could still be lured back to Seattle.

The mayor saying that this is Sacramento's last stand is not shocking. What is interesting is that the message comes from the biggest glass offices at league HQ, too, Johnson told NBA.com.

"I'm going to say that commissioner (David) Stern has told me in no uncertain terms," Johnson said, "that it would be very difficult -- 'Your best bet is to try to figure out how to make it happen while you have 'em here, and that's building a facility. If you don't have a facility, your chances of keeping or getting a team are going to be nil to none.' "

Nil to none. Somewhere between zero and zero.

Stern's advice seems right to me. Easier to keep what you have than to get what you don't have. Charlotte was a notable exception and got lucky, imo.

 

[JB_kings]

Build a new arena and the Kings stay. Doesn't get any more simple than that.

If we can't get one built with a team, you won't get one built without.