Mayor: Excited, Anaheim closer to an NBA team
By ERIC CARPENTER
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Published: March 22, 2011
ANAHEIM – In the first public comments from a city official on the Sacramento Kings' potential move to Anaheim, Mayor Tom Tait confirmed Tuesday night that negotiations are ongoing and Anaheim is "closer" to having a professional basketball team.
"The good news is that we are continuing to move closer to bringing a professional basketball team to Anaheim," Tait said. "Because there are ongoing discussions and negotiations, I have just a few details to share tonight. More information will be forthcoming in the next week or so."
Tait's comments came during general council comments at the end of Tuesday's council meeting.
Earlier in the meeting, the council postponed discussion of bond funding for improvements at Honda Center, which many believe indicates the arena is being prepared for the Kings to move there next season.
The council will take up that issue March 29.
"This is something this city has been waiting 18 years for," Tait said in an interview after the meeting. "I am very excited."
Owners of the Kings have been in talks with Anaheim Arena Management, which operates Honda Center, about the possibility of moving to Anaheim for the 2011-12 season. The city owns Honda Center but until now, Anaheim officials have kept silent on the talks.
City leaders have made it clear over the years that the Honda Center, home to the Anaheim Ducks hockey team, was built for two professional sports teams. They have also said that the arena would need improvements, such as new locker rooms and a sports-training facility to make it NBA-ready.
Tait said that no taxpayer money would be used to lure the Kings.
"First, I can tell you that a financing structure is being proposed that would allow for private investment to fund improvements at Honda Center," Tait said.
"We have all seen the speculation in the media, but I want to assure everyone that should a deal go forward, the city taxpayers and the city's general fund will not be put at risk in any way," he added. "All of my colleagues on the City Council and city staff share my concern that the taxpayers cannot be exposed to any risk with this potential new deal.
"Our city is a first-class destination. Adding a second professional sports team at Honda Center is very exciting, as long as the city and the taxpayers are protected," Tait said. "And they will be."
The bonds will be discussed at 5 p.m. March 29 at City Hall.
Kings owners, who have filed trademarks for names including the Anaheim Royals, have until April 18 to file for relocation.
"The good news is that we are continuing to move closer to bringing a professional basketball team to Anaheim," Tait said. "Because there are ongoing discussions and negotiations, I have just a few details to share tonight. More information will be forthcoming in the next week or so."
Tait's comments came during general council comments at the end of Tuesday's council meeting.
Earlier in the meeting, the council postponed discussion of bond funding for improvements at Honda Center, which many believe indicates the arena is being prepared for the Kings to move there next season.
The council will take up that issue March 29.
"This is something this city has been waiting 18 years for," Tait said in an interview after the meeting. "I am very excited."
Owners of the Kings have been in talks with Anaheim Arena Management, which operates Honda Center, about the possibility of moving to Anaheim for the 2011-12 season. The city owns Honda Center but until now, Anaheim officials have kept silent on the talks.
City leaders have made it clear over the years that the Honda Center, home to the Anaheim Ducks hockey team, was built for two professional sports teams. They have also said that the arena would need improvements, such as new locker rooms and a sports-training facility to make it NBA-ready.
Tait said that no taxpayer money would be used to lure the Kings.
"First, I can tell you that a financing structure is being proposed that would allow for private investment to fund improvements at Honda Center," Tait said.
"We have all seen the speculation in the media, but I want to assure everyone that should a deal go forward, the city taxpayers and the city's general fund will not be put at risk in any way," he added. "All of my colleagues on the City Council and city staff share my concern that the taxpayers cannot be exposed to any risk with this potential new deal.
"Our city is a first-class destination. Adding a second professional sports team at Honda Center is very exciting, as long as the city and the taxpayers are protected," Tait said. "And they will be."
The bonds will be discussed at 5 p.m. March 29 at City Hall.
Kings owners, who have filed trademarks for names including the Anaheim Royals, have until April 18 to file for relocation.
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