The Sacramento Kings have been trying for a few years now, and today, they're further away from a new arena than when they began. After the California Expo board ejected a plan that would have built arena in downtown Sacramento, the NBA has announced that they'll no longer be supporting the Kings efforts in Sacramento.
It's a departure from the previous stand taken by the NBA -- when David Stern pledged to personally lead the charge for a new arena -- and it's hard not to take it as an ominous sign for the future. The NBA once pledged support for Seattle, too. Then the league pulled out over frustrations with the state legislature. And then ...
From the Sacramento Bee:
"On the heels of the disappointing – but not surprising – action (or inaction) of the state and Cal Expo board, it is fair to say that the NBA has ceased its activities on the Sacramento arena front," league representative John Moag said in an email to The Bee. "However, we will continue to monitor and respond to the activities and options of others that might reasonably ensure the competitiveness and viability of the Kings' franchise."
The NBA wants a new arena in Sacramento, but with no solution in sight, it seems this is the league throwing up its hands. The threat of "other options" hasn't been mentioned yet, but rest assured, it's implicit. When the NBA doesn't get what it wants ... Well, look at the city of Seattle.
That's a doomsday scenario that's still a ways off, of course. But with the rejection latest proposal and the NBA's sudden refusal to continue this battle, the Kings are a step closer to relocation than they were yesterday. Here's to hoping they don't get any closer.
Read more at Sactown Royalty, and stay tuned for updates as the process continues.
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Difference between Sac and Seattle is
We’re a one trick pony. An arena downtown would cause the night life there to absolutely boom.
If the Kings leave Sac, it may become one of the most desolate cities in the country.
by VenomySnicket on Sep 29, 2010 1:58 PM EDT reply actions
See how far Stern gets with fans
by abandoning every city that won’t finance his little organization of billionaires. Eventually America will call his bluff and the NBA will become a niche sport again. The fact it moved a team to Oklahoma City indicates a troubled future for this league under his leadership. Where next Stern, Columbia SC, Albuquerque NM, DesMoines IA. How about Rochester, NY or Burlngton VT. Does he really think most of America is stupid enough in this economy to finance new stadiums that will further enrich a club of wealthy pigs? Screw them!
by oregonslee on Sep 29, 2010 3:41 PM EDT reply actions
He's not trying to get Sacramento to finanace anything.
That has been the whole theme of the process of finding Sacramento a new arena. How to go about it without taxing the people. They came up with a very clever 3 way land swap that would’ve worked for everyone with small sacrifices from each part and Cal Expo didn’t want to make mini sacrfices so it’s a no go and they’re most likely going to relocate.
Lastly, these buildings aren’t just for Stern. They are for concerts, kids shows, WWE, MMA, monster trucks, graduations, conventions and so on. They cost half what it costs to build a football stadium which only hosts 8 games a year yet for whatever reasons, we get all bent out of shape even if zero tax dollars go towards their funding.
New collective bargaining agreement is simple. Give small markets a larger share of the national tv revenue sharing pie, limit MLE's to teams under the lux tax threshold, allow owners to terminate one deal every other year provided players have played at least 3 years on it and limit raises to 5 and 10%
by Trueblood on Oct 3, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Seattle fan here
Don’t trust anything that comes out of David Stern’s mouth.
Split Seahawks/Texans fan. Don't like it? Don't care.
by .Bonzo on Sep 29, 2010 6:09 PM EDT reply actions
The Kings should be relocated
Sacramento ain’t that nice of a city and economically they just aren’t a huge money source.
However, 3 hours from LA, far enough away to build a fan base there’s a lot of money and an NBA ready stadium in Anaheim that is just waiting for a legitimate NBA owner (so, not Donald Sterling) to recognize that becoming the Anaheim Kings would be a boon to both the city and the franchise.
by SportingFanaticism on Sep 30, 2010 10:55 AM EDT reply actions
Anaheim wont happen
you think the Lakers and Clips are going to allow the kings to come in and split their market? not going to happen. LA area can support two teams of each sport, but three is just unreasonable
If I was in a room with Bin Laden, Hitler, and Robert Horry and I had a gun with two bullets...I'd shoot Robert Horry twice
by amiles2233 on Sep 30, 2010 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Anaheim is a 3 hour drive from Los Angeles. They really aren’t the same market.
If they were the same market, why would the Angels have to go to so much trouble to be ‘part’ of la with their ridiculous name change.
I htink the Kings would do better in Anaheim than they would in either Seattle or Vegas.
I don’t think the Lakers think it would impact their attendance
And if you thik Sterlink CARES about attendance, well, i got a bridge 200 miles west of los angeles to sell you, cheap
by SportingFanaticism on Sep 30, 2010 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you serious?
Anaheim is like 30 miles away from LA.
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by Cory Williams on Oct 2, 2010 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions
anaheim is NOT 3 hours away
I dont want to get into logistics or anything, but bottom line is Anaheim is part of the greater LA area, therefore a part of the market. And i dont think the Kings want to have to win over fans in an area that already has 2 pro basketball teams, one who is consistently at the top on the NBA. I mean im no expert so take my opinion for what its worth, but I just dont see the Kings going to Anaheim
If I was in a room with Bin Laden, Hitler, and Robert Horry and I had a gun with two bullets...I'd shoot Robert Horry twice
by amiles2233 on Oct 3, 2010 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm all for getting the Clippers out of Staples Center.
I don’t like the idea of 3 teams in the LA area as well but if a Kings move to Anaheim can help kickstart a way to move the Clippers out of the LA area so that it goes back to being a 2 team market, then I’m all for it.
New collective bargaining agreement is simple. Give small markets a larger share of the national tv revenue sharing pie, limit MLE's to teams under the lux tax threshold, allow owners to terminate one deal every other year provided players have played at least 3 years on it and limit raises to 5 and 10%
by Trueblood on Oct 3, 2010 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
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