It doesn't help that many act like the Kings are the only thing Sacramento has. Not only is that insulting, its false and an outsider's perspective.
I second Mike0476's response. This statement in particular is a huge part of the problem and part of the prevasive provincial attitude in Sacramento. Am I a King's fan? Of course, The arena however is not only about the Kings. About three-quarters of the events at Arco are NOT Kings basketball. By the way, as quickly as you can, tell me at least five things that Sacramento has that you mention to someone wanting to visit Sacramento, that makes it a unique destination, that makes it a great place to vsit? I love Sacramento and have lived in and around Sacramento since 1967, but I have a realistic view of it.
Before the Kings came to Sacramento there were countless people I encounterd just in the US that didn't know where Sacramento was, nor did they have any remote image of what was in Sacramento. Especially since the Vlade/Webber team, business people say they can go to remote places around the world, mention they are from Sacramento and have people light up and say "Kings."
I remember one business woman, who said she always takes some Kings t-shirts with her. One Dutchmen asked for a shirt for his grandfather. His grandfather was a farmer in a remote rural area of The Netherlands and was a huge Kings fan. The city could have spent millions and never have gotten that kind familiarity around the world. Our own Bart here in this forum came to Sacramento this season to see his beloved Kings. He's not the only one. Sacramento has wonderful qualities, but the Kings have put Sacramento on the lips of countless people around the world. To ignore that fact is ignorant.
The Kings leave, Arco is a derelict piece of junk and there's no where else in Sacramento that can host those events.I want to take my granddaughter to events like ice shows and concerts. Many people enjoy MMA, boxing, PBR, motocross, Harlem Globetrotters, regional NCAA basketball tournaments, etc. and other types of events too numerous to name. Its just ignorant to assume that the Kings are the only reason to want an arena in Sacramento.
I was at one of the recent city council meetings, as well. The head of the Convention and Tourism board spoke about how many calls he receives wonderig if Sacramento is going to have a downtown arena, that they can use as an additional venue along with the convention center. Sacramento could attract a lot more conventions/tourism with a downtown arena. (They aren't interested in Arco or an arena at Natomas, because its too far away.) Of course, we could also use a few more first class hotels. (By the way, the city subsidized Hyatt Regency, Embassy Suites, and the Sheraton with public dollars. Where were the outraged citizens then?) Cities, counties, states subsidize private business everyday. Enormous amounts of subsidies. Where is all the protest about that?
And why don't Sacramentans see that the arena brings outside revenue into their city? Outside of the bay area, its the only venue in northern California that can host the kinds of events that Arco has. And people do come from all over to events at Arco.
I remember when I had to drive the bay area to see anything like that (rarely) and it was time-consuming, far more expensive and it's even worse now. I just won't be going to San Francisco for events any more, certainly not with grandchildren. On top of that, I've always hated the Warriors. I'd much rather support Sacramento with my dollars than go to the bay area and have the money I spend go to pay for their venues, their infrastructure, their businesses (restautants, hotels, parking, transit, etc.)
I guarantee this city will eventually want to build an arena. If we let the Kings go, we'll be losing an anchor tenant and the city will have to build it 100% on their own, with no Maloof money at all. Same as Kansas City finally did. They regognized too late that they shouldn't have let Sacramento take their team away from them. Their advice? Don't lose the Kings, like we did.
Finally, MSE and the NBA have donated so much money to causes in this city and have donated untold volunteer hours for good causes. People everywhere else have a high opinion of the Maloofs as owners. I really see no justification for the venom against them in this town. MSE has be been a great business and done much good for this city.