According to David Bienick @kcrabienick. Topics expected to be discussed: a status report on some people who may or may not ever formally commit to being involved in the project publicly (without mentioning their actual names), followed by a request to join KJ in forming a flash mob outside league offices in NYC to perform Gangnam Style, followed by a brief respite for a Kit Kat bar, followed by KJ announcing that he will be following in the footsteps of Leon Sandcastle and putting his name into the 2013 NBA Draft.
All ribbing aside, dog and pony show time is about over.
I expect to hear an announcement of some kind out of the NBA near the end of the week regarding the sale. This isn’t based on any connections I have or things I’ve heard, second-hand or otherwise. I just don’t think the league is going to leave this unresolved going into the All-Star break and risk it being talked about the whole weekend. That’s not usually their MO. Whatever your hole cards are KJ, it’s time to play ‘em or fold ‘em.
There’s probably a “Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That” meme in this too.
http://d22zlbw5ff7yk5.cloudfront.net/images/cm-21545-650528a3316409.gif
Bingo.
Dogs? Ponies? Whales? Oh my!
Dancing bears.
Will the Prince of Whales be there?
http://tinyurl.com/bdbbc3e
So there may or may not be a whale announcement. There may or may not be comment by the NBA. There may or may not be dog and ponies. What else may or not be said or done this week.
Rumors KJ is going to sing “Call Me Maybe” directed at Stern at tomorrow’s press conference, maybe.
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
Update from #Sacramento: Mayor Johnson’s Press Secretary says tomorrow’s 11am news conference is standard weekly press avail.. #NBAKings
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
KJ’s office says “it continues to make progress” on major equity partner, but announcement not planned for tomorrow. #NBAKings
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
KJ’s office says it still hopes to announce major equity partner for competing #NBAKings bid by the end of this week, if not next week.
Same story new week
Yep, confirms that tomorrow will be absolutely nothing.
Didn’t pretty much all the ‘ra ra’ momentum boosting cheerleading from KJ kind of come to a close after his call with Stern, or am I not remembering the temporal order correctly?
Nope the Press Conference after the Stern call was way more subdued and he looked like he hadnt slept in quite some time just from my memory of the press conferences a couple weeks ago even though it seems like an eternity
SO they called left a message and then got a call back but nobody was there to pick up so the whale left a message. KJ called whale back left message. Whale called back left a message and said, “phone tag youre it.”
I know I shouldnt mock Sacramento’s efforts as futile as they probably are. If the NBA didnt like last minute offers undermining a well thought out process then the longer KJ takes the less likely it is taken all the seriously Just my two cents.
One thing KJ has been consistent on is that he hopes to announce something some time this week or perhaps next week.
One would think that, to have any chance at all, he really needs to have his whale announcement by All Star weekend. No?
“One would think that, to have any chance at all, he really needs to have his whale announcement by All Star weekend. No?”
That had to have happened already … if KJ doesn’t have an ACTUAL announcement to make by All Star Weekend, I think the league will …
“Yeah, we got whales. They’re just swimming in jello” :-)
At this rate he should have his ownership group and arena plan in place by the time training camp opens….in Seattle.
He meant the “ra ra” momentum boosting ended after the Stern/KJ call. At least that’s how I interpreted it.
A month ago, if someone had suggested that an NBA franchise located outside LA was worth half a billion we all would have said, they were nuts. Unlike Seattle, Sacramento has no hope of a second team to carry their arena. KJ’s dreams are coming to an end.
Thats a very SOBERing point for Sacramento fans
There’s an entire half a season to play. This is going to be ugly one people give up hope. Empty arena, apathetic players…man.
I that that apathetic players part is already occuring
I really feel bad for Sac. I hate being so cynical but is what it is. KJ tried a hell of a lot harder than anyone in Seattle did in 2008 and the lead up. Great fan base and pretty good arena deal in a good location, until it all got Maloofed.
I feel terrible for them. The next “Sonics” fans that shows up at a Kings game wearing the colors should be banned from Sonics Arena.
NBA week on Wheel of Fortune…Coincidence???
Probably timed to build hype for ASG weekend.
Yeah, they have advertised twice already…I hope they have a Seattle Supersonics clue.
Cook’s face on the “Bankrupt” tile! :-D
damn NBAtv… Why’ d you have to go and do that?
huh?
They just ran this little human interest piece on a couple of blind sisters who were die hard Kings fans. They told their story and were shown at the games with their family and their headphones on and talked about how part of why they love going to the games is so they can just be in the moment. When inevitably asked about the potential relocation one of the sister’s talked about how life will go on and whatnot, and ended the piece by repeating very earnestly: “… But I really hope they stay.”
Basically, it was the type of emotionally manipulative fluff piece you see in reference to topics such as the Sacramento/Seattle one. Kudos goes to host Matt Wiman (I believe that’s his name) for at least mentioning that there are people in Seattle who loved the Sonics just as much as those ladies love their Kings.
The whole thing served as a sad and sobering reminder that a truly beautiful game is all too often overshadowed by the ugly and detached world of business; and it reinforced the desire for all of this to get resolved sooner rather than later.
They’re showing it right now….
Yep. Not fun. Had to switch to Syracuse vs. Notre Dame for the time being.
Now I feel like a jerk. Blame Clay
Actually, to take a long-term view, blame the NBA for allowing George Shinn to take the Hornets out of Charlotte. If they hadn’t been in NOLA when Katrina hit, no one would have even considered OKC as an NBA city.
To move a step forward, you can also blame them for not awarding an expansion franchise to OKC once the Hornets were compelled, for symbolism’s sake, to move back to New Orleans. And for not at least making a similar, concrete offer to Seattle (contingent on a new arena) when Bennett decided to move the team. Lastly, blame them for being so tied into NOLA (once again, for symbolism) that they bent over more than backwards to keep a failing franchise in a city that simply doesn’t support them. The end result is that it’s going to come down to either a town with great support losing its team, with the possibility of never getting another one, or another town with just as much support having the door slammed in its face, possibly for the last time. Either way, both shameful and needless.
Seriously, the NBA should be ashamed.
The lease ran out, they failed.
Like there wasnt any blind sonics fans….in fact I heard there were some deaf ones as well
Yes, I know deaf guys at work that are still pissed off at Stetn.
People really don’t know, but, deaf basketball goes back decades. I don’t remember the NBA doing a story like that about Seattle.
Yes, things appear to be going our way. Still, I have seen no players wearing green and gold uniforms yet. We are not home yet.
I’m curious why you think there will be some action during ASG, considering that the NBA has already said the decision will be made during the 4/18-19 meeting, and that Sacramento will be given time to present its case at those meetings. Why would they do an about-face and rush through a decision now? I mean, I can imagine that we Sonics fans might like to have such a scenario play out, but I don’t see the league being particularly interested in what we want, as opposed to what would be best for the league (i.e. themselves — and, while it definitely would be in their interest to approve the sale, it is also in their best interest to give the illusion that Sacramento was given a fair chance, which means not rushing the process).
I don’t recall the NBA ever explicitly stating, “(insert date here) is when the Board of Governors will vote on the Sacramento sale & possible relocation.”
All the dates that have been thrown about have been based on educated speculation, as far as I know.
Mostly because it’s clearly going to be an open, festering sore until the BOG addresses it. And David Stern is not in the business of allowing open, festering sores to continue festering.
At this point I’m starting to feel like maybe nobody has any announcement at all until April 19. Could they really just no comment this thing all the way through? Every week that goes by gets closer to it.
I’d imagine the silence would work up the Sac fans into a bit of a frenzy, though. They’d certainly know that if we get to April and not a peep has been made that this thing is pretty much over and would put a ton of pressure on KJ and friends to say something.
Certainly possible. There are still tickets and beers and food and jersey’s and t-shirts to sell in Sacramento. That’ll get much harder to do for the next two and a half months if the sale approval is announced in February.
Except, I think Sacramento can’t really afford to be silent the way that Hansen can. Hansen et. al. don’t need to wage a PR war, to try and garner media attention the way Sacramento does.
While I don’t doubt the lack of noise on their part is more about putting together an ownership group (assuming there is one), once they get that together, they can’t afford to work in the shadows.
Bob Condotta@bcondotta
A press release from Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson says he will address the Kings at tomorrow’s press conference. No other details provided
So KJ will talk Kings tomorrow
I think he could hardly NOT address the issue one way or another. Could you imagine a press conference where no one asked about the whale-hunt?
As Willy Wonka would say, “you got nothing Kevin! Good day sir!”
The NBA needs to announce one way, or the other, soon; the fans should not be strung along simply so that they continue to buy tickets to Kings games, and advertisements can be sold on the King’s media broadcasts. The fans should be told if the team is to remain in Sacramento. The sale is different. The negotiations and the details of a sale should be kept private until finalized; but the NBA needs to state whether the Kings will be in Sacramento next year.
The NBA will do what benefits the NBA.
That much has to be obvious by now.
You would they wouldnt string the fans out to dry financially. Not that they care all that much. The big difference is that Clay Bennett was going to lose money in the 2008 scenario which is a owner that will continue to own losing money compared to owners in the Maloofs that the NBA probably isnt a big fan of because of everything in the last few years. So I dont know if the NBA cares as much of the Maloofs were to lose ticket sales. If I am Kings fans I wouldnt want to be strung along for political gain and for the NBA to get as many ticket sales as possible.
If the sale is completed, wouldn’t it be Hansen losing ticket sales? I imagine the Maloofs cannot transfer money to or from the team with a pending sale in place.
kings actually came to play today
I want to see Chuck Hayes take on James Johnson in a pie eating contest.
The NBA cancelled the national televised “here we stay” (or whatever the fans are calling it) game. Now that could be the NBA just not wanting controversy, or it could be the NBA is on board with a relocation of the Kings. If the NBA is on board with a relocation, then it needs to be announced. There is no real reason to wait until any sale is finalized to do this. I think that Hansen will purchase the controlling interest of the team. That this is happening during the season is unfortunate; but, since it is happening, the question of relocation should be answered. The NBA should not “play” the fans.
The question of relocation will be answered when an application for relocation has been submitted, which will happen when the sale is approved. The NBA has a built in excuse to let this play out for as long as it goes.
Things will go in order, here. We need not forget the two P’s: Patience and Positivity.
Oh, I don’t think my comment is either positive, or negative. The NBA could easily state whether the team would be allowed to relocate to Seattle, if Hansen is successful in his purchase. That does not require a finalized sale, or the submission of an official relocation request. It is not proper to have this go on another month and a half (and what, about 25-30 games?) without the fans knowing. The fans may have other things to put their money and interests to than a lame duck team. It does not seem right for the NBA to not be clear about this. If I were a Sacramento fan, and spent 1000 dollars on Kings games over the next month and a half, and then was told the team was moving, I would feel conned and ripped off. Probably many fans will not risk being conned, and not go to games. This is not good for the fans, the NBA, or anyone else.
I agree. If the decision has been made, it should be announced. I’m sick of the NBA lying to its fans/customers. It doesn’t matter whether I’m the one getting screwed or the beneficiary.
WHY “should” it be announced (from the NBA’s perspective)? It just guarantees two-and-a-half months of empty arenas and further losses for the Maloofs (and any cut that may go to other teams).
The promised timing for the decision is important, because it comes the day after Sactown’s last home game of the season. From the NBA’s perspective, isn’t it better to make the fans think they have a chance to keep the team, so they’ll keep turning out at Sleep Train to cheer on “their” team, rather than leave the arena empty of show up for the last game with plans to trash the place?
The only people who would benefit from the announcement being made now are Seattle fans, not the team or the league. Good luck with that.
I didn’t mean to imply that I thought your post was particularly negative, or positive for that matter. I thought it was a fairly obviously neutral observation. I was simply stating that I think it’s important for all of us to remain generally positive and patient about this situation as a whole.
The NBA is not about to subvert their relocation process so they can simply, “do the right thing.” That just isn’t going to happen.
Such a move would also be redundant. Everyone who’s aware of this situation knows that the Hansen/Ballmer group will file for relocation once they officially take control of the team, and their relocation request will be granted. There’s no doubt, here. If the Board of Governors approves the sale to the Seattle group, the team is going to move.
Right now there’s a narrative that can be sold to fans in Sacramento, and that’s one of hope. That goes to hell the second the approval of the sale is announced.
Bring back the ABA.
Watching the Kings game. They’ve gone flat in the second quarter and Cousins got his 11th technical of the year. Then he blocked a shot, led a sloppy more or less fast break and dished for an assist.
And now he’s gone.
This guy…
Bonehead…..
like the shoutout NBA TV gave us “if you’re Seattle, do you want this guy as your best player?”
….no….
Heh, yeah. As he said that I was thinking, “That question can actually be answered right now, Mr. Host. N-O.”
The kid is a nightmare.
Now firmly in the “If We Get the Sonics, Trade DMC Instantaneously” camp. >:-/
Cousins just got tossed!
one stat no player wants to lead the NBA in technical fouls.
See Rasheed Wallace….
Then he scored two baskets in a row. Then, after the end of the quarter, said something the the ref that got him his second technical and was tossed from the game.
I’m already frustrated watching him.
I really need to watch more Pacers games. Paul George is a ridiculous talent.
Will be interesting to see if they can move Granger - I can’t imagine they won’t try given PGs improvement.
I don’t think it’ll be too hard to find someone interested in Granger. He won’t get moved until the offseason, and if he can come back healthy and close out the season strong and prove he’s still the efficient 20+ppg with solid D guy he’s been so far, he’ ‘ll have a fair share of suitors. I think 13-14 is the last year on his contract, too.
Granger could be quite the asset as a really productive player with a fat expiring. The Pacers could end up becoming really dangerous really fast if they play those cards right.
Ya…If we end up getting to be part of the Cousins era I can tell it will be something that will cause a lot of debate on a message board like this…
DeMarcus is enough to kill a fragile fan base. What to do? Don’t pay this guy franchise player money. No way.
I would move cousins. He has nough talent that someone would be willing to take a chance on him and hope they could get through to him imo
*enough
wonder what the record would be with out cousins?
Can’t get much worse…
Agreed. The team needs a complete rebuild and as many good draft choices as possible. It’s too bad they are down one first rounder from the Hickson fiasco.
Fun having a rooting interest again- they look a lot more cohesive without Cousins, and Utah is playing awful.
LOL airball
What a game. Can’t wait til this is Key next year. Without Cousins
I thought the BOG meeting was April 17-18, and the 7% was going to be auctioned off April 19th.
If you listen to Marc Stein, we should have more clarity at the ASG as to where the kings will be next year. And he used “Sacramento (for now) kings”, whatever you take from that.
But I do agree, if you announce the kings are leaving, the Maloofs (and the league) lose lots of revenue because sleep train will be empty for the rest of the year. That would be the only reason not to approve the sale now.
I posted my Tuesday column now. I have a cold that’s getting me down, so writing something tomorrow is a risky venture.
New thread is up.
“Could they really just no comment this thing all the way through? ” - of course they can Brian. It’s all about trying to keep the arena as full as possible until it doesn’t matter anymore. That’s all any of this *hit is.
Go Sonics, be glad when they are back.
Here’s my question….Let’s say that Burkle et al, come up with an offer for the Kings that is larger than the offer that Hansen has proposed, and agreed to. Now lets say that the NBA then says that they will go with the Sac deal to keep the team, and the higher team valuation. Does Hansen now have a chance to come back with an even higher number to beat the new Sac offer, then does Sac get a chance to beat that, and so on and so on…..Would seem only fair, and in the best interest of the NBA as a whole to drive the price of one of it’s lowest valued franchises, into the the top 5-10. If it gets into a bidding war, I don’t see how Hansen/Ballmer could lose…Not only do they have more money, but also have the NHL wanted in Seattle as well, unlike SacTown, and would allow the Hansen/Ballmer group to pay more as they would have more revenue streams to help cover the sales price…..As for Cousins, Seattle has always been a town where elite free agents come to die (in all sports save some exceptions) and where head cases/problems come to and ressurect a carreer (with some exceptions of course)….I’m down for keeping cousins for at least 1 year to see how he responds to new owners/coaches/city…Obviously he has talent, and is putting up numbers without full dedication to his game, and effort…..If this guy put out 100%, and was surrounded by people that he would look up to and listen too, I could see him having a great careeer in Seattle…..If after the first year he doesn’t respond then trade him (keep in mind I have no idea if he’s a free agent after next season, and if he is, there is a big desicion to be made). Even now, with people complaining about his effort he’s still putting up like 17pts, and 10 reb a game, can’t remember a center for Seattle putting up those kind of numbers every game, or close to it, since Sikma (was he our last all star center, ug, if so). If he’s not a free agent after next year, I say give him a chance with the new owners/coaches/team and city……
watching it now. KJ seams a bit down beat. says worst case date for group with everything lined up is march 1st but he hopes to have something in a week or two. nothing about the “whales” and he just said he doesn’t think it’s up to the nba to share the details of Seattle’s bid with Sac, what? yup.
just asked for the names of the money, nope, not answering that just said the money is doing due diligence. that phrase has been uttered 6 times now.
something interesting “we don’t know who our equity partners are” I’m not sure anyone else picked that up but he just said it. “no shortage of people interested”
okay so clearly the ownership group has not been put together yet, arena details were not forthcoming either.
oh lord, he has no idea what site the equity partners that he just said he didn’t know the names of want for an arena site. Just so you all know, the rail yard is a primo spot with all kinds of chemicals that have leached into the ground there so that one probably isn’t viable and in my own experience the area in downtown which is the other proposed site will be a traffic nightmare