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Thursday, May 24, 2012
Kings file for relocation extension
by Suzanne Hurt, published on February 24, 2011 at 6:20 PM
Storyline: Kings
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This story has been updated from an earlier version.
The Sacramento Kings have asked the National Basketball Association for an extension on filing a request to relocate the team, an NBA official confirmed Thursday.
The team's owners filed an extension request that will give them more time – technically, the day after their season ends April 13 – to decide whether to ask for permission to move the team, said Tim Frank, the NBA's senior vice president of Basketball Communications.
"The Sacramento Kings have requested an extension of the March 1 deadline to give Kings ownership the opportunity to discuss their options with the Board of Governors at its April 14 - 15 meeting," Frank said in a prepared statement. "The Board is currently considering the Kings' request."
Maloof Sports and Entertainment, which owns a majority share of the team, has reportedly been talking with Anaheim officials about possibly moving to the Honda Center. Neither Frank nor a Kings spokesman would confirm that Thursday.
Earlier this month, members of the Maloof family were in Anaheim, where they did a "meet and greet" with City Manager Tom Wood. Wood has not discussed any negotiations with the Maloofs involving the Honda Center, which is owned by the city but managed by Anaheim Arena Management, said Ruth Ruiz, spokeswoman for Anaheim's city manager's office.
The team had to file the extension request before March 1. The NBA Board of Governors, which is made up of team owners, is expected to decide on the extension request early next week, Frank said.
Mayor Kevin Johnson reacted to the news by saying the Maloofs should have told the city they were going to file the extension request – which the mayor described as a clear sign the Kings want to leave. City officials shouldn't have to learn about that through a Google alert, Johnson said.
"I don't think we can mince words – they're looking for a deal to be elsewhere," he said in a hastily organized press conference at City Hall late Thursday afternoon. "I would have preferred a phone call in advance. To not have that heads-up is a little disappointing."
Their decision to request an extension to the March 1 relocation request deadline is "disappointing" for the city and the Sacramento region, which have provided financial and emotional support and a loyal fan base for 26 years, Johnson said.
"Sacramento deserves better than this," said Johnson, dressed in Kings purple from his shirt to his tie and handkerchief.
Asking fans to continue to support the team, Johnson noted a relocation is not a done deal, because the Kings' owners haven't actually filed to move yet and weren't ready to do so by Tuesday.
However, the Maloofs also have chosen not to participate in the city's 15-month effort to develop a plan to build an arena, Johnson said, adding that must change if the team stays.
NBA Commissioner David Stern said it’s "a new day in Sacramento” since the Sacramento City Council voted recently to give the ICON-Taylor development team 90 days to study the financial feasibility of building a new arena, Johnson said.
Johnson said he, the City Council and the region – including elected officials like Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg – are vowing to fight to keep the Kings if possible. They'll also make sure the Kings' owners repay a roughly $70 million loan from the city.
The mayor called the Maloofs Thursday and now has a meeting set with them for the end of the business day Tuesday. He expects the Maloofs to be candid about their plans and give him a chance to see if Sacramento can still meet the team's needs.
If the Kings leave Sacramento, the city must be able to show that an arena can still be built here if the region wants to draw another NBA team. The city could be "devastated" by the team's departure, Johnson said. (See video below for his comments.)
But Sacramento officials will work even harder now to get an arena built, Johnson said.
"We'll rebound and figure out a way to move forward," he said.
Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.
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Why are they trying to negotiate a deal with Anaheim when there's a serious effort underway by the city of Sacramento and Mayor Kevin Johnson to get a new arena built?
How much money and city time and taxpayers' dollars have been spent on that effort?
What makes you think they can get a better deal in Anaheim? The Maloofs haven't even been willing to discuss possible deals with arena developers in Sacramento.
And since when is a democratic decision regarding the expenditure of taxpayers' money or an attempt by local politicians to represent the will of the people who elected them "political garbage?" Not sure where you're coming from on that.
--The Maloofs almost did move, but the deals they had elsewhere fell through. How much longer will Sacramento rely on inertia to keep the Kings here as the old arena deteriorates? Time is running out.
--Because they don't trust the city government. KJ may be sincerely trying to get a new arena built, but he is one man on the council and not a "Strong mayor". The Maloofs have been working with the city council for over 10 years on this. How much more loyalty should they show the city? This isn't just a matter of loyalty to the fans. When much of the city council has basically said with their inactions that the Kings really don't mean that much to them, I am not surprised the Maloofs are looking around.
--Go to Anaheim? That's a good question--the Lakers and the Clippers are in the area already. I am thinking they will look at other cities.
You are entirely correct that it is my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree. But since you ask, I think the city will be better off without the Kings because maybe then we could stop spending so much city time, effort and taxpayer dollars on keeping a mediocre sports team and start spending it on stuff that in my opinion would really make sacramento a "world class city" such as innovative social programs to empower the least fortunate and disadvantaged members of our city (the truest test of a society is how we treat those with the least), funding our schools so our children have a quality education, art, music and architecture programs to bring innovation, creativity and vibrancy to our public life. I'm not saying we could have all those things if the Kings leave. But I mention them to point out that there are in my humble opinion, many other more worthwhile things to spend our treasure on than a group of spoiled millionaire brothers who seem to feel entitled to taxpayer handouts.
They want fan loyalty and then when they can't get what they want and have the public finance it, well then sooo long, Sacramento. What about team/owner loyalty to their fans? Let them follow their greed.
As being a busines, sounds more like their looking for a handout from the public. They can go run a business on someone else's dime.
Rich, I read a comment you previously wrote on a different article that impressed the heck out of me. You do see the disadvantaged, and you do so without them right smack directly in your face and that is impressive. We don't have to always agree, heck we can agree to disagree but I do respect you. Thank you
Google Bonds and you will find out.
You might also look into how much the Kings players and team work with our city's disadvantage youth. They also provide hundreds of part time jobs for low skilled workers at the arena.
In regards to the last part of your comment. I know many of our city's disadvantage youth and the Kings players did not influence their lives.... Heck, I know Arena employees whose kids are disadvantaged and the team/ players did not work with those disadvantaged youth. Heck, I know some of the low skilled workers and even went to their employee dinner with a low skilled friend of mine and I listened to them speak of who just lost their job, who had their hours cut, who is next to lose their jobs.... who can't pay their rent, who just got evicted.... Heck, I met church people who volunteered to work at the Arena - and when the Arena had volunteers they let more low skilled workers go. So I can't be impressed having spoken with some of the low wage workers....
another question i wish i could have any one of the anti-arena people answer is how will the city of sacramento be better off without the kings in the community? either finanically, emotionally, socially, etc, how would this community improve if the kings left? that is a question i have yet to see answered.
rhonda, as always, many well wishes and blessings to you and your family.
http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2010/10/27/1777456/here-we-stay
Let's get some more sell-outs!