NBA PM: Goodbye Sacramento Kings?

5th pick sucks · Post #1 » by **5th pick sucks** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 3:26 am

No New Arena in Sacramento: As we covered in this space earlier in the summer, the city of Sacramento had reason to be concerned about losing the Kings. The Maloof brothers have been very clear that they have no interest in selling the team, but a combination of underwhelming fan support and the dire state of Arco Arena has forced them to consider moving.

The likelihood of a move increased dramatically today as the NBA ceased their efforts to try to help the Kings get a new arena. Commissioner David Stern personally got involved in the cause four years ago, something he's never done before, but ultimately there were too many obstacles in the way. The Cal Expo board rejected a proposal for an NBA-backed plan to move the State Fair to Arco earlier this week that would have helped finance a new downtown arena.

"On the heels of the disappointing – but not surprising – action (or inaction) of the state and Cal Expo board, it is fair to say that the NBA has ceased its activities on the Sacramento Arena front," said league representative John Moag to Tony Bizjak and Ryan Lillis of The Sacramento Bee. "However, we will continue to monitor and respond to the activities and options of others that might reasonably ensure the competitiveness and viability of the Kings' franchise."

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, who played in the NBA for 13 seasons, will have to complete a hail mary play at this point to keep the Kings in Sacramento. The Sacramento Bee reports that Commissioner Stern still "loves the market", but without a new arena to help team revenue the Kings will be forced to look for a new location. While Las Vegas, Nevada will be one of the more-popular suggestions, Anaheim and San Jose, California have the best chances of landing the Kings.

Read more http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?sto ... z10xwBexq3

5th pick sucks · Post #2 » by **5th pick sucks** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 3:34 am

That makes me pissed :evil:

Post #3 » by **ICMTM** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 3:40 am

I'd trade the Kings for the A's in a heart beat!

I'm about done with the whole arena deal myself. Too bad they will be leaving as they are getting good.

Post #4 » by **KF10** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 4:24 am

I expected more from Stern and Moag in the last four years into the arena deal. To me this isn't news. The NBA hasn't put enough effort to develop a new arena deal for Sacramento.

RoyalCourtJestr · Post #5 » by **RoyalCourtJestr** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 4:48 am

*sigh*

We can only hope that an increased winning percent soon and the promise of the future can somehow pull a arena deal together. If they leave... IDK. It'll be a huge part of my life leaving.

Post #6 » by **KingInExile** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 5:07 am

Stern is a NY-based bully who has no ability to comprehend the realities of west-coast politics. He thinks he can snap his fingers, tell people what they need to do to make him and his owners happy and expects everyone to do his bidding. It don't work that way out here. Sacramento may still get a new arena. But for that to happen, it will have to be private money building the facility on private land. It is unrealistic to think public money will play any role, other than through possible tax concessions. It is also unrealistic to think the arena will get done as any kind of public land deal or community development plan. If the Maloofs can partner with an entity looking to develop an entertainment center, then there might be a chance. Otherwise...

sacking101 · Post #7 » by **sacking101** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 5:43 am

Since I live in orange county i would be excited if the kings moved to anaheim. But It just wouldn't be the same. And to be honest they would not be appreciated like they are in sactown. Everyone here even people who dont know anything about basketball LOVE and lakers and hate 3 teams, the spurs, celtics, and kings. I really hope they get an arena built up there even though it wouldn't be the same as arco I love making my rare trips up there to watch my kings play.

SacKingZZZ · Post #8 » by **SacKingZZZ** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:23 am

My money's still on San Jose if they move. Nor Cal is big enough for 2 teams in or around the same area. San Jose is the only place I think the Kings can go and get the same kind of fan base they have in Sac. Would really suck if they move but it's really starting to look like options are running out. The NBA basically putting their foot down and bailing is a very shocking statement IMO.

The sad part is if the Kings move the Sac area's going to need a new arena anyway. I just don't get it. I've heard all the debate on private/public money but if history is any indicator some sort of public money has to be involved. Privately financing an arena of that magnitude is an absolute money pit and it's been proven before. I think some of these big wig politicians should take pay cuts and a portion of that money can go towards building a new arena, there you go, problem fixed.

ADoaN17 · Post #9 » by **ADoaN17** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 10:10 am

This can't happen. Kevin Johnson will save the Kings.

chriswebb86 · Post #10 » by **chriswebb86** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:08 pm

At this point I do not see the Kings moving for at least a few years. While there are options out there, most of the cities that could take the Kings in do not have enough money to bring them there. Also, the Maloofs still owe the city 70 or so million dollars. So, it would take a lot of money to get the Kings.

I think San Jose makes a lot of sense if they do end up moving. However, they are going to have a huge fight with the new GSW owners if they do choose to move there.

Finally, I would love to see the A's in Sacramento and I have feeling they end up there.

chriswebb86 · Post #11 » by **chriswebb86** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:11 pm

SacKingZZZ wrote:My money's still on San Jose if they move. Nor Cal is big enough for 2 teams in or around the same area. San Jose is the only place I think the Kings can go and get the same kind of fan base they have in Sac. Would really suck if they move but it's really starting to look like options are running out. The NBA basically putting their foot down and bailing is a very shocking statement IMO.

The sad part is if the Kings move the Sac area's going to need a new arena anyway. I just don't get it. I've heard all the debate on private/public money but if history is any indicator some sort of public money has to be involved. Privately financing an arena of that magnitude is an absolute money pit and it's been proven before. I think some of these big wig politicians should take pay cuts and a portion of that money can go towards building a new arena, there you go, problem fixed.

Reading on Sactownroyalty, I think the only Stadium that has been founded almost entirely on private funds was ATT park in San Fran. However, even then there was public money used.

In the end Sacramento will need a new multi-purpose venue. WIth the Kings at least they have a tenant for 44 games a year. That makes it easier to make money on it. I am really curious on how much money the Kings bring to Sacramento. I would also be curious how much money a New Arena would bring especially if it was built in the Rail yard.

Post #12 » by **pillwenney** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 8:07 pm

Yeah, there is and always has been reason for concern. The real mistake, it seems, was not getting this done a few years ago when the team and fan support were better and when the state wasn't quite so f***ed financially.

Post #13 » by **Wolfay** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 8:23 pm

I just don't see any other market being better than Sacramento. San Jose is in a market saturated with sports franchises (and would the Warriors' management be happy about a team literally next door?), Anaheim is 100% Laker territory, and Seattle is in the same boat as we are. I can maybe see Kansas City, but would the Maloofs want to move the franchise so far away from their HQ in Vegas? And speaking of Vegas, there's no way in hell they'll ever get an NBA franchise, at least not for awhile. It's such an unproven market.

Of course I'm being a homer since I was born and still live in Sacramento, but I really do think it's in the best interest of the Maloofs to keep the team in Sacramento, and I also think they know that. Of course there will be a breaking point, but we're not there yet.

SacKingZZZ · Post #14 » by **SacKingZZZ** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 9:19 pm

chriswebb86 wrote:At this point I do not see the Kings moving for at least a few years. While there are options out there, most of the cities that could take the Kings in do not have enough money to bring them there. Also, the Maloofs still owe the city 70 or so million dollars. So, it would take a lot of money to get the Kings.

I think San Jose makes a lot of sense if they do end up moving. However, they are going to have a huge fight with the new GSW owners if they do choose to move there.

Finally, I would love to see the A's in Sacramento and I have feeling they end up there.

The problem is that a move could realistically happen ANY time, papers could be filed as soon as march. There are locations all over the US just waiting with baited breath for an NBA team to become available and many have already built arenas, or have arenas capable of housing them (San Jose and Anaheim to name two). The other problem is that at some point the NBA is going to force this team to move if nothing is done. The message sent by the NBA the other day is merely the first in what could become brutal strike by the league to move the team elsewhere.

Where are the A's going to play in Sac? When a city is defunct, it's defunct.

SacKingZZZ · Post #15 » by **SacKingZZZ** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 9:25 pm

Wolfay wrote:I just don't see any other market being better than Sacramento. San Jose is in a market saturated with sports franchises (and would the Warriors' management be happy about a team literally next door?), Anaheim is 100% Laker territory, and Seattle is in the same boat as we are. I can maybe see Kansas City, but would the Maloofs want to move the franchise so far away from their HQ in Vegas? And speaking of Vegas, there's no way in hell they'll ever get an NBA franchise, at least not for awhile. It's such an unproven market.

Of course I'm being a homer since I was born and still live in Sacramento, but I really do think it's in the best interest of the Maloofs to keep the team in Sacramento, and I also think they know that. Of course there will be a breaking point, but we're not there yet.

I don't think there's any argument to the contrary, not even from the NBA, but business is business. At some point, and my fear is some point soon, it will be taken out of the Maloofs hands and the NBA will take the reigns if nothing is done, just watch. I have a sick feeling that some, or all of the people in power acting as if they can out bluff the NBA into bending because, "Sacramento is just such a great town!" are really starting to believe their own garbage and at the end of the day the city of Sacramento will have to travel to San Francisco, Oakland, or even Fresno to see live entertainment. And not just basketball.

_SRV_ · Post #16 » by **_SRV_** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 9:55 pm

Do you really think the Maloofs (or new owners) will leave Sacramento to be a 3rd team in LA area? San Jose makes sense, but I'm not really sure it's a good idea for the NBA to bring a rival for a brand new owner who paid a lot to get a limping franchise.

dozencousins · Post #17 » by **dozencousins** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 10:03 pm

I think at this point we all better pray we do far , far , better than expected & we make the playoffs if so we might get people in SACRAMENTO to start coming to games & caring again . That might be the only way people will agree to the conditions that will keep the KINGS in SAC !

It will be a HUGE mistake to by our CITY to have the KINGS leave we are already living in tough times the KINGS leaving will hurt alot more of our businesses & thus losing more jobs .

HOTELS , RESTUARNTS , WORKERS AT ARCO just to name some !

We need a miracle at this point !

Post #18 » by **Wolfay** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 10:18 pm

SacKingZZZ wrote:
Wolfay wrote:I just don't see any other market being better than Sacramento. San Jose is in a market saturated with sports franchises (and would the Warriors' management be happy about a team literally next door?), Anaheim is 100% Laker territory, and Seattle is in the same boat as we are. I can maybe see Kansas City, but would the Maloofs want to move the franchise so far away from their HQ in Vegas? And speaking of Vegas, there's no way in hell they'll ever get an NBA franchise, at least not for awhile. It's such an unproven market.

Of course I'm being a homer since I was born and still live in Sacramento, but I really do think it's in the best interest of the Maloofs to keep the team in Sacramento, and I also think they know that. Of course there will be a breaking point, but we're not there yet.

I don't think there's any argument to the contrary, not even from the NBA, but business is business. At some point, and my fear is some point soon, it will be taken out of the Maloofs hands and the NBA will take the reigns if nothing is done, just watch. I have a sick feeling that some, or all of the people in power acting as if they can out bluff the NBA into bending because, "Sacramento is just such a great town!" are really starting to believe their own garbage and at the end of the day the city of Sacramento will have to travel to San Francisco, Oakland, or even Fresno to see live entertainment. And not just basketball.

I agree to some extent, but I don't think we're there yet. Business is business, and the smartest business move for now is to keep the Kings in Sac and keep pressing for new arena.

For the record, I AM very concerned that the Kings may leave and my faith in the city to make any smart decisions drops every freakin' day. It's frustrating.

As far as the A's...wasn't Raley Field built with the possibility of being expanded to perhaps one day accommodate a major league team if the opportunity presented itself? I've also heard otherwise, so I don't know.

JSrose115 · Post #19 » by **JSrose115** » Fri Oct 1, 2010 1:43 am

Sac would be straight deserted if the Kings left. Not to say the city already is.....

RekeHavoc · Post #20 » by **RekeHavoc** » Fri Oct 1, 2010 3:54 am

**** Suckramento, I hope they move to San Jose. As long as they're still in NorCal I don't care and Sac's citizens are a bunch of miserly greedy bastards. Yeah they're going to whine and complain when the Kings leave, but they're the ones who pushed them out the door. Arco's going to fall apart and be torn down anyway, and Sac will have no entertainment options. There's a reason that when people in Sac get bored they go to the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, but when people who live there have the choice they don't vacation in Sacramento. It's a boring city full of cheapskates who don't deserve pro sports anymore, and don't want to pay to keep entertainment or jobs in the area.