Sacramento Kings moving franchise to the OC, CA.

The NBA is screwed, because it's going to have to make this work somehow. I'm going to guess Anaheim is a non-starter because too many owners are going to vote against a move. Kansas City isn't happening -- you have a similar-sized market, except with more pro teams in it as competition. Louisville isn't happening -- you have a smaller market that doesn't have the economic problems Sacto does, but isn't terribly wealthy, either, and is just as likely to tank if the team sucks.

The Kings are like Richard Gere in "An Officer and a Gentleman:" "I got nowhere else to go!"

 

I agree about them selling the team. I would hope that Burkle (or someone else) steps in, buys the team and then funds the bulk of the arena from sponsorships and naming rights and increased revenue from luxury suites etc... I think if he came up with 75 percent of the cost on his own, they might work out something to pay off the rest.

 

The Kings aren't the reason the Maloofs are bankrupt, Vegas is... Allowing them to move a franchise to a short-term solution that will negatively impact other teams in the league, among them, arguably the one that brings in the most revenue, sets a terrible precedent.

Moving a team back to Seattle just makes the league seem stupid, as would letting the Kings move to the OC and then having Burkle buy the Hornets and move them to Sacramento is just stupid as well. The Kings have had a great fanbase for a long time. They need an arena, but I think Stern was able to see through the Maloofs' motivation to move the team.

 

Vancouver Kings?

 

I think Toronto is the only Canadian city that can support a NBA, MLB or NFL franchise.

 

Wrong, the NFL would sell out every game in Vancouver. It is huge here. It will never happen and it shouldn't considering the markets that don't have teams but it would be no problem here.

 

I know taxes were a huge issue with why free agents didn't usually want to go to Canadian teams.

Based on the Bee's article, the Kings bought themselves a year and the city officials all appear to be on board to get a $350 million arena built.

I hope it happens.

 

It will, apparently.

http://www.laobserved.com/biz/2012/02/kings_owners_pony_up.php

 

That's awesome!!!!

 

I hate when teams move. I'm thrilled the Kings aren't going anywhere, especially not to So Cal.

 

Was in college near SacTown when the Kings first touched down and Reggie Theus was king of the town. Really hard to watch that town just give up on the Kings when they were the only game in town and Sac was dying to be a national city. Guess that arena in the Sacramento "Meadowlands" just turned off too many people. Glad to see the Maloofs finally step up and contribute to the arena and what a job by Mayor Johnson; he showed real leadership in getting it done without any begging.

 

I don't think it's the Maloofs at all -- I think the theory is that when the cash call comes they're going to be forced into a sale. Who owns them next is the big question. The name I have seen floated is Ron Burkle, the billionaire who is Bill Clinton's buddy and routinely shows up on those wish lists of People Who Pretty Pretty Please Can Save Newspapers.