Maloofs meet with former Sonics Owner

Post #1 » by **City of Trees** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:55 pm

Posted this in another thread but thought it deserved its own discussion and didnt see another thread for it so here you go:

Here is a link to a story SI did on friday about the Maloofs meeting with old Sonics owner

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... index.html

Looks to me as if the Maloofs where looking to move to Seatle but came away from the meeting realizing the same problems the Sonics ran into of getting a new arena in Seattle still exist and they would be better off working on the issues in Sacramento.. Also another part of the story i found interesting is Maloof saying Kansas city is too far away for them, as if they have already thought about re-locating.. We need a new arena fast or we are gonna be rooting a team formerly known as the sacramento kings

thoughts?

Post #2 » by **ICMTM** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:17 pm

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... index.html

Better link.

mobiuseinz · Post #3 » by **mobiuseinz** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:18 pm

Say hello to the Las Vegas Kings

Post #4 » by **Wolfay** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:25 pm

I have doubts that a sports team can survive in Vegas. Emperor Stern says no anyway.

funkatron101 · Post #5 » by **funkatron101** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:32 pm

"Um, we learned nothing from the meeting, but it was really helpful."

Weird.

Post #6 » by **KingInExile** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:33 pm

The basic interpretation of this from Seattle area media is that this means that the Maloofs are interested in moving to Seattle and that they are looking to Wally Walker (former Sonics owner/president) for partnership. They are citing "sources close to Walker" as saying that discussion was about relocation

Comments from George Maloof on the meeting was that the family wanted Walker's perspective on issues the Sonics franchise faced when trying to get a new arena built in Seattle.

My take...the truth is probably somewhere in the middle or closer to George Maloof's statement. I would not doubt one bit that Walker went into the meeting wanting to draw the Maloofs up to Seattle or to even talk about a possible purchase. There is a large contingent in Seattle that want a team...any team. I still do believe the Maloofs, though, when they say that they are committed to making an arena deal work in Sacramento. The fact that the Sonics spent many years trying unsuccessfully to get a new arena in Seattle makes it very plausible IMO that the Maloofs wanted to know what that ownership group went through so they can improve their plans for working with Sacramento.

Although Seattle could be a potential destination some time in the future, I really don't see it as a realistic one any time soon for one simple fact...the issue of a modern arena is the same in Seattle as it is in Sacramento. And I frankly think that the fact that Sacramento already has a NBA team waiting to occupy a new arena gives them in improved ability to build an arena.

Post #7 » by **ICMTM** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:46 pm

Maloofs: "Hey Seattle where did you mess up in Arena talks?"
Seattle: "We didn't mess up!"
Maloofs: "but your team left?"
Seattle: "I don't see it? You mean the Thunder? That's not our team"
Maloofs: "They were there like two seasons ago."
Seattle: "I don't understand...we have the Mariners, Seahawks, and now the Sounders. The World Cup was a hit! MLS is drawing better numbers than the NBA.
Maloofs: "What"
Seattle: "Yeah get a soccer team forget the NBA"
Maloofs: "It's all clear now"
Seattle: "Great! Expansion in Sacramento!"
Maloofs: "No you idiots I understand why you lost your team."
Seattle: "What team? We have the Mariners, Seahawks, and Sounders."
Maloofs: "This is a waste"
Seattle: "MLS FTW"
Maloofs: "We're out"
Seattle: "You need the MLS commissioner's #?"

http://cbs13.com/local/kings.arena.deal.2.1805659.html

The reason why the Maloofs are asking questions is the land deal is all but DEAD. Nobody worked with Cal Expo. I said that would be the part of the deal that needed the most work. All the other stuff is pretty straight forward. Cal Expo isn't on board nor did anyone try to figure out how this will work for them.

The Maloofs are grasping to air.

Post #8 » by **City of Trees** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:51 pm

after how many years of trying do you eventually pack your bags and throw your hands in the air 'im out!"

i will hate the city of sacramento forever if they dont get something done!!! might even move from sac to LA thats how mad i would get.. (not really but just might :lol:

)

Post #9 » by **KingInExile** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:53 pm

ICMTM wrote:Maloofs: "Hey Seattle where did you mess up in Arena talks?"
Seattle: "We didn't mess up!"
Maloofs: "but your team left?"
Seattle: "I don't see it? You mean the Thunder? That's not our team"
Maloofs: "They were there like two seasons ago."
Seattle: "I don't understand...we have the Mariners, Seahawks, and now the Sounders. The World Cup was a hit! MLS is drawing better numbers than the NBA.
Maloofs: "What"
Seattle: "Yeah get a soccer team forget the NBA"
Maloofs: "It's all clear now"
Seattle: "Great! Expansion in Sacramento!"
Maloofs: "No you idiots I understand why you lost your team."
Seattle: "What team? We have the Mariners, Seahawks, and Sounders."
Maloofs: "This is a waste"
Seattle: "MLS FTW"
Maloofs: "We're out"
Seattle: "You need the MLS commissioner's #?"

LMFAO!!!

Call Me Geoff · Post #10 » by **Call Me Geoff** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 12:03 am

I'm convinced the Maloofs have no money. They're casino took a $300 mil hit in depreciation, they sold they're only liquid asset in the alcohol distributorship and they can't get an arena done due to the fact they have no money to invest in it. They also realize their affiliation with the Kings is what keeps them famous and in the public eye. I don' t know what's going to happen but it's not looking good. My prediciton, they either sell the team or move to San Jose or Anaheim. Gotta love the NBA, when times get tough bail.

RoyalCourtJestr · Post #11 » by **RoyalCourtJestr** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 12:30 am

We vastly need these guys to get an idea and stay with it for more than a week.

I get depressed whenever I see this stuff. :/

Draino · Post #12 » by **Draino** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 1:06 am

You know what, I really would HATE to see the Kings leave Sacramento just because.... THATS WHERE THEY BELONG!

BUT... if they were to move, I really would support a move to LAS VEGAS, I think that is the best alternative option if everything fails with Sacramento. When I think about it, Thomas&Mack Center isn't the greatest arena in the world, it's not young either, so IF Vegas was to get a team, they would have to build a new arena soon. Don't think that will be a problem tho, there is plenty of space, even on the strip, where they innitially wanted to build an arena anyways. It would work...

Call Me Geoff · Post #13 » by **Call Me Geoff** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:54 am

Draino wrote:You know what, I really would HATE to see the Kings leave Sacramento just because.... THATS WHERE THEY BELONG!

BUT... if they were to move, I really would support a move to LAS VEGAS, I think that is the best alternative option if everything fails with Sacramento. When I think about it, Thomas&Mack Center isn't the greatest arena in the world, it's not young either, so IF Vegas was to get a team, they would have to build a new arena soon. Don't think that will be a problem tho, there is plenty of space, even on the strip, where they innitially wanted to build an arena anyways. It would work...

As someone who works closely in land development I'm telling you right now Vegas is a very undesirable location for a pro sports team. Vegas in particular is a horribly depressed economy. The thought of moving a major league team there is laughable from a profitability standpoint for a number of reasons I don't feel like getting into. What it comes down to is the Maloofs are going to have to figure out a way to get an Arena built in Sac if they want to start making money again. The days of pro sports teams hamstringing local governments into investing tax dollars on new sports arenas is over. It's just unfortunate the Maloofs don't have the money. I'm actually really worried they may be forced into selling the team. Similar to George Shinn.

Post #14 » by **City of Trees** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 5:25 am

Call Me Geoff wrote:
As someone who works closely in land development I'm telling you right now Vegas is a very undesirable location for a pro sports team. Vegas in particular is a horribly depressed economy. The thought of moving a major league team there is laughable from a profitability standpoint for a number of reasons I don't feel like getting into. What it comes down to is the Maloofs are going to have to figure out a way to get an Arena built in Sac if they want to start making money again. The days of pro sports teams hamstringing local governments into investing tax dollars on new sports arenas is over. It's just unfortunate the Maloofs don't have the money. I'm actually really worried they may be forced into selling the team. Similar to George Shinn.

I wonder if this is the Maloofs playing a little texas hold'em with sacramento.. Turn the heat up a bit and feel the pressure of the kings leaving... i hope its all a bluff to get something worked out.. C'mon KJ we elected you to get the kings to stay! make it happen!

SacKingZZZ · Post #15 » by **SacKingZZZ** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:59 am

Believe me, Kings aren't moving to Seattle. Just not happening.

Post #16 » by **KingInExile** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 1:03 am

A column in the Seattle Times today added a good perspective to this topic. Pretty good read IMO.

Wally Walker's meeting with Kings owner much ado about nothing

Steve Kelley
Seattle Times staff columnist

Where's Wally?

Psst! I think I saw Wally Walker in the French Quarter this week, trying to convince New Orleans Hornets owner George Shinn that basketball and Bourbon Street don't mix.

Psst! Wasn't that Wally Walker I saw talking to owner Herb Simon, telling him the Pacers should move to Seattle at the end of their new three-year deal with the city of Indianapolis?

Where's Wally?

-------------------

Is that the question this city's NBA fans are reduced to asking?

Could he be in Memphis, telling owner Michael Heisley that Seattle would open its arms to Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo; that this exciting, emerging club would be embraced by a city that is desperately seeking a winner?

From the get-go, the story of Walker's meeting with Maloof felt a little quixotic.

The truth is, there is no groundswell to bring the NBA back to Seattle. As much as this city needs a first-class arena, as much as Lower Queen Anne needs an economic shot in the arm, there is nobody out there rallying the troops.

-MORE-

CrymeTime · Post #17 » by **CrymeTime** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 5:52 am

Vancourver Kings!!!!!

Downtown · Post #18 » by **Downtown** » Sat Jul 24, 2010 1:05 am

I live in Vancouver and was a big Sonics fan who made the two hour drive south for games so I've witnessed two teams being taken away from me.

Don't worry one bit about either city. As far as I've read the owners of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team, who also own the arena, have formally told the NBA that when there is an opportunity to relocate a team they will buy it and take them in. But they aren't in any ongoing pursuit, just letting the NBA know that they hope to be at the top of the list if there is a chance. They are prepared and ready but aren't pushing anything and will leave it to the league.

Everyone in the Seattle area knows that until a new arena is built, or the Key Arena has a huge upgrade, which could amount to a new arena costwise, there is no chance of an NBA team. One thing Seattle does have in it's corner is Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer, who besides Paul Allen, his aquaintance from Microsoft, would probably be the richest owner in the NBA. Balmer has pledged at least $150mil of his own money to finance a new arena. But as mentioned there is no groundswell or appetite at this time with so many other financial needs.

And if it was Wally Walker as the sole participant from Seattle's perspective you have nothing to worry about. Walker was only one of former owner Howard Schultz's minority partners. He has nowhere near the money to be a serious player in the ownership game. I do believe it was about fact finding as to what Seattle did wrong and if there's any new approach the Maloofs could take with Sacramento.