Maloofs make decision on Kings move -- they'll unveil it today
Published: Monday, May. 2, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 1A
The owners of the Sacramento Kings have made a decision about the team's fate – but they were waiting until this morning to make it known.
Kings co-owner George Maloof told The Bee on Sunday that while he and his family have made up their minds about whether to move the franchise to Anaheim, they intend to withhold the announcement until after talking with NBA officials.
"We need to get with the NBA and inform them first," Maloof said. "Then we can make an announcement."
Maloof declined to offer more details but said the decision was difficult. The family has until 2 p.m. today to file a relocation request with the NBA.
A source close to the issue told The Bee last week that the Kings' owners still thought Anaheim was a better situation for them financially, especially with no immediate plans here for a new arena. But the source added that the Kings' owners were listening to NBA officials, who expressed interest in keeping the team in Sacramento for at least another year.
The Maloofs' call is something many in Sacramento and Anaheim have been waiting for and fighting to influence.
As for the effort to prove Sacramento is a viable market for the Kings and the NBA, Mayor Kevin Johnson's office is feeling "cautiously optimistic" that the work has been enough to persuade the team to stay, the mayor's chief of staff, Kunal Merchant, said Sunday.
"We've shown unprecedented unity, be it with the elected leaders, the business community or the fan groups," Merchant said. "The community has really come together in the past few weeks."
Today's decision won't be the end of the story, though. Instead, it will launch a new chapter in the ongoing Kings saga, fraught with another round of uncertainties that could last months or longer.
Here is a look at what may happen if the Kings decide they want to go and if they decide to stay:
The 'go' scenario:
If the Kings file a request to relocate with the league today, does it mean the team will be in Anaheim next season?Hardly. The decision isn't really in the team's hands. The NBA's 30 owners must vote first. The Kings will need to win a majority, or 16 votes. That vote would take place sometime within the next four months. But it is likely to happen much sooner, to allow the team time to prepare for the new season.
Kings co-owner George Maloof told The Bee on Sunday that while he and his family have made up their minds about whether to move the franchise to Anaheim, they intend to withhold the announcement until after talking with NBA officials.
"We need to get with the NBA and inform them first," Maloof said. "Then we can make an announcement."
Maloof declined to offer more details but said the decision was difficult. The family has until 2 p.m. today to file a relocation request with the NBA.
A source close to the issue told The Bee last week that the Kings' owners still thought Anaheim was a better situation for them financially, especially with no immediate plans here for a new arena. But the source added that the Kings' owners were listening to NBA officials, who expressed interest in keeping the team in Sacramento for at least another year.
The Maloofs' call is something many in Sacramento and Anaheim have been waiting for and fighting to influence.
As for the effort to prove Sacramento is a viable market for the Kings and the NBA, Mayor Kevin Johnson's office is feeling "cautiously optimistic" that the work has been enough to persuade the team to stay, the mayor's chief of staff, Kunal Merchant, said Sunday.
"We've shown unprecedented unity, be it with the elected leaders, the business community or the fan groups," Merchant said. "The community has really come together in the past few weeks."
Today's decision won't be the end of the story, though. Instead, it will launch a new chapter in the ongoing Kings saga, fraught with another round of uncertainties that could last months or longer.
Here is a look at what may happen if the Kings decide they want to go and if they decide to stay:
The 'go' scenario:
What are the chances of winning 16 votes?Kings officials were said to be checking in recent days to see how much support they have among owners. Jerry Buss, powerful owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, is lobbying against a move.
What happens if the NBA owners turn them down?The Kings likely would be forced to stay in Sacramento or take the league to court.
Why is Anaheim more attractive to the Maloofs?A better arena, a bigger TV and media contract, and a deal that may help save them from insolvency.
The 'stay' scenario:
But they want to leave?They wanted to leave, but they have been getting tons of pressure from the NBA to stay. They may reluctantly give in to that pressure.
What's wrong with staying in Sacramento?The Maloofs fear that they may not be able to make enough money here to succeed.
Why would the NBA try to force the Kings to stay here if it's not good for them?It avoids having three teams within 30 miles of each other in L.A. And the NBA is encouraged by Sacramento's ability to quickly raise $10 million in corporate commitments to the team. Besides, if the Maloofs can't stay viable, they could sell to a wealthier owner such as billionaire Ron Burkle, who wants the team.
If they stay, what's this talk from the NBA about "one more year?"The NBA believes Sacramento is viable as a major league city only if it gets a new arena. The NBA wants to see a financially viable arena plan on the table by March. Otherwise, the league may tell the Maloofs to go ahead and leave.
Is there finally momentum and interest in Sacramento in getting an arena built?There is momentum – but it will slow when the price tag and financing are revealed later this month and if arena proponents ask the public to help pay.
What do the Kings have to do to stay in Sacramento?Nothing formally. If they don't file for relocation by 2 p.m. today at NBA headquarters in New York, they will play here next year.
If the Kings file a request to relocate with the league today, does it mean the team will be in Anaheim next season?Hardly. The decision isn't really in the team's hands. The NBA's 30 owners must vote first. The Kings will need to win a majority, or 16 votes. That vote would take place sometime within the next four months. But it is likely to happen much sooner, to allow the team time to prepare for the new season.But they want to leave?They wanted to leave, but they have been getting tons of pressure from the NBA to stay. They may reluctantly give in to that pressure.
What's wrong with staying in Sacramento?The Maloofs fear that they may not be able to make enough money here to succeed.
Why would the NBA try to force the Kings to stay here if it's not good for them?It avoids having three teams within 30 miles of each other in L.A. And the NBA is encouraged by Sacramento's ability to quickly raise $10 million in corporate commitments to the team. Besides, if the Maloofs can't stay viable, they could sell to a wealthier owner such as billionaire Ron Burkle, who wants the team.
If they stay, what's this talk from the NBA about "one more year?"The NBA believes Sacramento is viable as a major league city only if it gets a new arena. The NBA wants to see a financially viable arena plan on the table by March. Otherwise, the league may tell the Maloofs to go ahead and leave.
Is there finally momentum and interest in Sacramento in getting an arena built?There is momentum – but it will slow when the price tag and financing are revealed later this month and if arena proponents ask the public to help pay.
No comments:
Post a Comment