Stern: "For the Kings to stay in Sacramento, we need a new arena"

Since everybody is highlighting different comments by Stern, here's the one I like:

"Over time, it is agreed that for the Kings to stay in Sacramento, we need a new arena," Stern said. "But right now, we're happy to have the Kings in Sacramento with the new (renamed) Sleep Train Arena."

Note that he said "...we need a new arena" and not the Maloofs or the Kings need a new arena. Stern hasn't abandoned us or our city IMHO.
 
VF21 said:
Since everybody is highlighting different comments by Stern, here's the one I like:

"Over time, it is agreed that for the Kings to stay in Sacramento, we need a new arena," Stern said. "But right now, we're happy to have the Kings in Sacramento with the new (renamed) Sleep Train Arena."

Note that he said "...we need a new arena" and not the Maloofs or the Kings need a new arena. Stern hasn't abandoned us or our city IMHO.
Click to expand...

I agree with VF. Like I said, not real "news" ... more like "we're OK right now, but let's not forget about the long term needs".
 
This is a great vote of support for Sacramento from Stern. He's had our back all the way on this. Absolutely no one denies that Sac needs a new arena. (Even if the Kings leave, although I pray that won't happen.)
 
What can really hurt the Maloofs even more going forward is that they said they were serious about renovating Arco, after they abandoned the deal the NBA and city put together. It's one thing to ask the league to negotiate on your behalf, have a great deal fall into your lap, and then back out. It's another to do all that, then say no we want to go the renovation route, and then not follow through on that in any way.

I think this goes to court, and that bold faced lie about being serious about renovation and not even taking a first step towards it could really hurt them, on top of everything else. Also, while Stern may be retiring in 2014, I highly doubt that he doesn't act as a consultant is some form. Sterling will still lean on him for advice. He might not publicly be involved at that point but I'd imagine he will still have influence behind the scenes.
 
news Stern will step down in Feb 14. We need positive moves by then or it could fall to bits upon his departure
 
Sac.1989 said:
news Stern will step down in Feb 14. We need positive moves by then or it could fall to bits upon his departure
Click to expand...

I really don't think that will be the case. Adam Silver has worked on this every bit as much as Stern. He knows exactly what is up and it will be a consistent position by the league.
 
Two separate reports this morning saying that Stern has been working behind the scenes to pressure the Maloofs to sell the team to the Seattle group. Of course these are just rumors, but still, it gives one a reason to pause. If true, I think its now imperative that the city of Sacramento come up with another plan for building an arena. I realize there's a legal agreement that doesn't allow for the city to build an arena and compete with the Maloofs, but if the arena is there, it puts tremendous pressure on the Maloofs to use it, or possibly lose the team. It would also back the league into a corner. The league wouldn't have the excuse of sacramento not having an arena.

I have no idea how to get this done. Thats for folks smarter than I'am. But I fear that if something isn't done, the Kings are eventually gone. And this is the first time I've felt that way.
 
bajaden said:
Two separate reports this morning saying that Stern has been working behind the scenes to pressure the Maloofs to sell the team to the Seattle group. Of course these are just rumors, but still, it gives one a reason to pause. If true, I think its now imperative that the city of Sacramento come up with another plan for building an arena. I realize there's a legal agreement that doesn't allow for the city to build an arena and compete with the Maloofs, but if the arena is there, it puts tremendous pressure on the Maloofs to use it, or possibly lose the team. It would also back the league into a corner. The league wouldn't have the excuse of sacramento not having an arena.

I have no idea how to get this done. Thats for folks smarter than I'am. But I fear that if something isn't done, the Kings are eventually gone. And this is the first time I've felt that way.
Click to expand...



Always a concern of course, but all those sources I saw this morning have the same unsupported claim from Woj, who absolutely detests Stern and has tried to rip him at every occasion, even more now that Stern gets as Woj says his "victory lap".

There's obviously danger there, and its why I have made the point that ironically maybe the BEST thing for Kings fans is the Maloof's stubborness about selling. But Stern has also, for the first time in a long time, opened the door to expansion again in his remarks this week -- something that would also seem aimed directly at the Seattle situation. It might indicate he is serious about getting a team back in Seattle, but that also likely means he is not focused on the Kings as the only way to do so. If you read Woj's article carefully it doesn't actually say Stern himself is determined the Maloofs sell to Ballmer. It says Stern is determiend to get a team back into Seattle, and that Ballmer has been pressuring the Maloofs to sell. Its the old Voison column trick. Slap two facts together in the same paragraph, and let the implications bleed over between them.
 
Bricklayer said:
Always a concern of course, but all those sources I saw this morning have the same unsupported claim from Woj, who absolutely detests Stern and has tried to rip him at every occasion, even more now that Stern gets as Woj says his "victory lap".

There's obviously danger there, and its why I have made the point that ironically maybe the BEST thing for Kings fans is the Maloof's stubborness about selling. But Stern has also, for the first time in a long time, opened the door to expansion again in his remarks this week -- something that would also seem aimed directly at the Seattle situation. It might indicate he is serious about getting a team back in Seattle, but that also likely means he is not focused on the Kings as the only way to do so. If you read Woj's article carefully it doesn't actually say Stern himself is determined the Maloofs sell to Ballmer. It says Stern is determiend to get a team back into Seattle, and that Ballmer has been pressuring the Maloofs to sell. Its the old Voison column trick. Slap two facts together in the same paragraph, and let the implications bleed over between them.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I did read the whole article, and like you, I'm not ready to take it on face value. But if I said it didn't make me nervous, I'd be lying. I have no doubt that there are people working behind the scenes (Ballmer) to get the Maloofs to sell. And I agree with you that the Maloofs stubborness might be our best ally. Plus the article seems to contradict other statements by Stern. So my head tells me that everything is OK, while my heart starts sweating.

The most positive thing is the comment pertaining to expansion. Which makes a lot of sense in the Seattle situation. That said, it would be a big plus if the city could somehow put together a deal to finance a new arena without the involvement of the Maloofs. Because, if somehow the team were to move, the only way to get another team would be to have an arena in place. So why not try and get a deal done now and not have to worry about getting another team. Not that easy, I know, and I'm sure there are people working on it. Hey, all we need is 70 million people to donate 1 dollar, and we'd have the Maloofs share of the contribution. That doesn't seem that hard. I'll let you take the lead.
 
bajaden said:
Two separate reports this morning saying that Stern has been working behind the scenes to pressure the Maloofs to sell the team to the Seattle group. Of course these are just rumors, but still, it gives one a reason to pause. If true, I think its now imperative that the city of Sacramento come up with another plan for building an arena. I realize there's a legal agreement that doesn't allow for the city to build an arena and compete with the Maloofs, but if the arena is there, it puts tremendous pressure on the Maloofs to use it, or possibly lose the team. It would also back the league into a corner. The league wouldn't have the excuse of sacramento not having an arena.

I have no idea how to get this done. Thats for folks smarter than I'am. But I fear that if something isn't done, the Kings are eventually gone. And this is the first time I've felt that way.
Click to expand...

Is the following one of the reports you are referring to?

http://nba.si.com/2012/10/26/maloofs-sacramento-kings-seattle-david-stern/?sct=nba_t2_a5
 
Well, the city had to scrape together the plan for partial (and more generous than Seattle's) financing of an arena. What more is the city supposed to do than offer a very fair deal to the Maloofs. Give them an arena? That's not going to happen and shouldn't.

By the way, the bias in the article is really clear. The NBA is most likely pressuring the Maloofs to sell, since they backed out of the arena deal. That doesn't mean being pressured to sell to Seattle's group. There are at least two buyers ready and willing to buy the Kings and keep them in Sacramento. I'd think that would be the most appealing solution to the NBA. So the pressure on the Maloof's to sell could just as easily be pressure to sell to a buyer ready and waiting right this minute and stay in Sac. After all, Stern has opened the door to the idea of expansion.

I know Seattle doesn't would prefer to buy a ready-made team to an expansion team, but after the city kicked the NBA out the door, why should they get everything they want, as long as they get a team?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Bold Lineup Change the Sacramento Kings Need to Make
Replies
7
Views
410
ShastaKingsFan
ShastaKingsFan
pdxKingsFan
Greg Lukenbill talks to Sacramento Historical Society
Replies
4
Views
2K
pdxKingsFan
pdxKingsFan
A
What to Watch For in the Sacramento Kings Preseason Opener
Replies
0
Views
296
abc10.com
A
T
Take a peek at the new exclusive Sacramento Kings club inside Golden 1 Center
Replies
0
Views
298
The Sacramento Bee
T
venom_7
Venom_7 Doxxes | A Ghost of Christmas Past
Replies
2
Views
568
venom_7
venom_7
Back
Top