In less than two hours Tuesday night, the Anaheim City Council paved the way for the Sacramento Kings to relocate there by agreeing to issue $75 million in bonds – $25 million to improve the Honda Center and $50 million for a loan to the Kings. The council's unanimous vote by its five members propelled Sacramento further on its path toward losing the National Basketball Association team that has made its home in the state capital for 26 years. Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait presided over what he described as a historic meeting. "Tonight, Anahiem took a giant step closer to bringing an NBA team to Anaheim and the Honda Center," Tait said. "I am thrilled. I think a better word is 'stoked.' " The

Since it was first reported on radio station KFBK in January, the city has been waiting on pins and needles for an announcement from the National Basketball Association or the Maloof Family surrounding the fate of the much beloved Sacramento Kings. Two months have passed since KFBK's Rob McAllister reported the Maloofs were debating whether or not to move the Kings to Anaheim -- news that upset Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson and put plans on building a new arena within the city in limbo. The game of "Will they, won't they?" has been unbearable between city officials, sports fans and the talking heads of Sacramento television and radio, but it seemed as if an answer had finally arrived Th

       In the NBA, more than any other sport, games are affected by the whims of the schedule makers. In professional basketball, the home team wins more than 60 percent of the time, compared with about 58 percent of the time in the NFL, 55 percent in the NHL and 53 percent in MLB. (Oliver Entine, Deptartment of Statistics, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania).  So there's that, but then there are also the quirky irregularities of the schedule. Sometimes teams are made to play two nights in a row, while other times they'll get three nights off. So sometimes, you'll have a team that is playing its second road game in 27 hours pitted against a team that has been chilling at h

California Exposition and State Fair officials said no Friday to being part of an arena land swap deal. At the end of a four-hour meeting, the board voted 7-2 against further study of a proposal by developer Gerry Kamilos and the Sacramento Convergence team to relocate the state fairgrounds to Arco Arena in Natomas and to develop the 350-acre Cal Expo site to help finance a new arena downtown. Board members said they want proceeds from Cal Expo's development to benefit the state fairgrounds and the state, rather than a private company and an arena. The Cal Expo board has already spent too much time studying ideas to modernize the fairgrounds by helping to get an arena built, they said.

Joe Maloof never will forget what happened to competitive skateboarder Jake Brown in 2007. Brown was in first place in the X-Games 13 Big Air contest, in which competitors slide down a mega ramp that launches them into a sea-sized half-pipe. After splashing into the half-pipe, the score is determined by the airborne tricks and by measuring the amount of air the skater gets coming off the opposite side. Brown was in first place before the jump, but what happened next diminished any importance of rank. He landed the first 720 in the Big Air competition, but followed it with a 40-foot free fall. He walked away a few minutes after falling, something most skaters would not have been able to d

Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings is the recipient of the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy as the 2009-10 T-Mobile NBA Rookie of the Year. I attended the press conference and spoke with the Kings General Manager Geoff Petrie, Tyreke's Brother - Doc Evans, Tyreke Evans, Kings owners - Joe & Gavin Maloof, and Tyreke's childhood friend - Duane Davis. Joe & Gavin Maloof also said President Obama suggested they pick Tyreke during the draft and plan on getting more advice from Obama for the next draft! :) Tyreke was the fourth pick in the NBA Draft 2009 and averaged 20.1 points, as well as team-high 5.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds. Tyreke joins Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James as the on

Sacramento Kings fans can buy a package for "Skater Night" on April 10, promoting the Maloof Money Cup. For $49, fans get two tickets worth $40.50 each to watch the Kings take on Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks, meet professional skaters Ryan Sheckler, Brandon Biebel and Steve Caballero, and the choice of a Biebel skteboard deck by GIRL or Maloof Money Cup hat by Neff. Fans are invited to bring their skateboards to the outdoor miniskate park before the game, starting at 4 p.m. Skater-themed prizes will be awarded throughout the evening, including a trip to the Maloof Money Cup in Costa Mesa in August. The Cup, created by Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, is an annual skateboa

 For a couple of years, the Kings have been making plans for major change entering the 2010-11 season. That change was anticipated to occur on the court via trades and free-agency. The Kings announced change in their management team Monday along with the resignation of president John Thomas, effective April 2.  Joe Maloof will become the Chief Executive Officer of Maloof Sports and Entertainment, while his brother, Gavin, will become the President. Matina Kolokotronis has been named President of Business Operations for the Kings, while Geoff Petrie remains Kings President of Basketball Operations. Perhaps the most interesting portion of the Kings release was the announcement that Kevi

John Thomas has resigned as President of the Sacramento Kings after ten years with the organization. His resignation is effective April 2, 2010. “We want to thank John for everything he has done for us since we came to Sacramento. He’s been an important leader on our team,” said Joe and Gavin Maloof, owners of the Kings, in a media release. Thomas is leaving the Kings for personal reasons. “Ten years is longer than most NBA Presidents get to serve. I want to thank the Maloof family and my extended Kings family of co-workers and fans for the privilege. I’m very excited about the future,” said Thomas. The King's new management structure has already been assembled. Joe Maloof will serve

The Sacramento Kings organization unveiled its season ticket package for next season Tuesday. Kings Season Ticket Holders will pay less for 99 percent of lower bowl seats in the 2010-11 season. Ticket prices in the lower bowl will be reduced by six percent, while upper bowl prices will remain the same. "We believe we created one of the best season ticket value packages in the NBA," Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said in a press release. "Our commitment to our fans has never been stronger." Prices for the lower bowl will range from $64-140, compared to $67.50-150 this season. Fans who renew or purchase their season tickets by April 23 will get new incentives, which include free parking fo