There’s nothing to match. The NBA can’t just give the team to another “bidder”. They have to deny the current agreed sale and the Maloofs have to agree to sell to this Sac group which has to be approved by the BOG.
Andy:
Does anyone else think the Monarchs might be a consolation prize?
Was this even approved by the WNBA?
leBleede:
Every ounce of hope and optimism in Sacramento is tied to this belief:
All things being equal, the NBA will go out of its way to honor the history of a fanatic fan base by not tearing up the deep roots of a franchise.
We all know that’s a painful, infuriating MYTH.
If that
soundersfan84: That’s silly to think.They won’t approve sale only to vote no on relocation.
This is off the wall. What if they don’t approve the sale but approved the relocation. The Maloofs move up to Seattle and start sitting courtside at the Key.
This is off the wall. What if they don’t approve the sale but approved the relocation. The Maloofs move up to Seattle and start sitting courtside at the Key.
The maloofs can’t own the team and have the team be in seattle.
Taylor Made: I can’t imagine the Maloofs would happily accept a lower offer if the NBA denies Hansen/Ballmer.I would think they would put calls in to Ellison, Pittsburgh, KC, etc.Then it DOES become a bidding war.
I agree with this. The Maloofs just got there $30 million relocation fee handed to them if something doesn’t work out.
Andy:
Does anyone else think the Monarchs might be a consolation prize?
Kind of like how the Storm was a consolation prize?
leBleede:
Every ounce of hope and optimism in Sacramento is tied to this belief:
All things being equal, the NBA will go out of its way to honor the history of a fanatic fan base by not tearing up the deep roots of a franchise.
We all know that’s a painful, infuriating MYTH.
I don’t know- to me, it seems all their hope is tied in WE WILL BUILD AN ARENA AND YOU DIDN’T!! It ignores every other fact.
Andy:
Does anyone else think the Monarchs might be a consolation prize?
Throw in a MLS team, and you have a sweet deal.
Sofa King:
There’s nothing to match. The NBA can’t just give the team to another “bidder”. They have to deny the current agreed sale and the Maloofs have to agree to sell to this Sac group which has to be approved by the BOG.
I get that, but what I’ve been saying since last night is: if Sac could match…why not? Think of just the PR perception difference in sending in a matching bid instead of a lesser bid. Especially if it’s just “slightly less”, why not go ahead and push for a few more bucks and match then? Over extended already? Or is it really a bit more than “slightly”?
The city of Sacramento is not going to pawn off a huge asset, as broke as they are, to build a shrine to the WNBA. None of their plan will happen without the Kings, nor should it.
Taylor Made: Kind of like how the Storm was a consolation prize?
Maybe Sacramento will get its revenge by having Mastrov buy the Storm and turning them into the Monarchs. Lol.
dually noted on not using that source guys, my apologies. Anyways if this indeed an avenue they are using then i think it speaks to their desperation.
The reason I went with it is because of what KJ said last night that the Local Investors were going to PURCHASE the 7 percent and didnt say bid, if I heard that correctly. I remember hearing that and was thinking wow they are just going to the bid no matter what KJ? thought it was cocky of him
Just seems to me like a “hey, look over here!” tactic. If I’m Kevin Johnson or Ron Burkle, and the discussions in a scenario where I’m committing to saving the Kings start veering toward women’s basketball, I’m not thinking they’re taking my initial foray very seriously.
Jerry Brewer doesn’t seem to think it would make sense for Burkle to only work on the arena front and not be part of the team…when in fact it is the most logical thing ever from what we have read about his business sense and desire to maximize investment. He could very well be in on the team but I just think the whole arena deal is really where he wanted to go and he rebuffed KJ on being the “whale” of the Kings. We know Mastrov wants in on the NBA so he would have said yes in a heart beat.
Do people think that following the blog (especially on 500+ comment threads) easier if each of the comments were numbered? Make it easier to remember where you left off when you come back?
BarelyAble:
Jerry Brewer doesn’t seem to think it would make sense for Burkle to only work on the arena front and not be part of the team…when in fact it is the most logical thing ever from what we have read about his business sense and desire to maximize investment.He could very well be in on the team but I just think the whole arena deal is really where he wanted to go and he rebuffed KJ on being the “whale” of the Kings.We know Mastrov wants in on the NBA so he would have said yes in a heart beat.
Not only that, but it would help his bid for AEG by essentially expanding their portfolio without doing any additional work.
Andy:
Just seems to me like a “hey, look over here!” tactic. If I’m Kevin Johnson or Ron Burkle, and the discussions in a scenario where I’m committing to saving the Kings start veering toward women’s basketball, I’m not thinking they’re taking my initial foray very seriously.
Seriously… when he mentioned a second tennent, for a sec I just thought Burkle was going to relocate the Penguins to Sacramento
The fact that CD is still talking about a minority owner transfer while keeping a ROFR intact tells me he isn’t thinking.
BlueReloaded:
The fact that CD is still talking about a minority owner transfer while keeping a ROFR intact tells me he isn’t thinking.
Myk:
Do people think that following the blog (especially on 500+ comment threads) easier if each of the comments were numbered? Make it easier to remember where you left off when you come back?
This would be awesome.
now jerry brewer is saying he has heard burkle will be aminority investor. i don’t get it, there seems to be a ot of confusion with burkle’s involvement. i think you guys make a great point that if their initial offer is less, it shows how overextended they already are. sac just threw their best punch. now it’s hansen/ballmer’s turn. i have to think hansen/ballmer are up for a fight here just like they have been with the arena.
206er:
now jerry brewer is saying he has heard burkle will be aminority investor. i don’t get it, there seems to be a ot of confusion with burkle’s involvement. i think you guys make a great point that if their initial offer is less, it shows how overextended they already are. sac just threw their best punch. now it’s hansen/ballmer’s turn. i have to think hansen/ballmer are up for a fight here just like they have been with the arena.
Hansen/Ballmer’s best shot would be “Well, we’ll just go get a binding sales agreement. Oh wait, we already did that.”
206er:
now jerry brewer is saying he has heard burkle will be aminority investor. i don’t get it, there seems to be a ot of confusion with burkle’s involvement. i think you guys make a great point that if their initial offer is less, it shows how overextended they already are. sac just threw their best punch. now it’s hansen/ballmer’s turn. i have to think hansen/ballmer are up for a fight here just like they have been with the arena.
KJ wouldn’t have made a point of saying “singular whale” and Burkle being on the arena side only if Jerry Brewer’s assessment was remotely accurate.
Putting a hockey team there would acutally be interesting. A natural rivalry with the Sharks would be refreshing for a part of the country that has been struggling recently.
Sofa King:
Putting a hockey team there would acutally be interesting. A natural rivalry with the Sharks would be refreshing for a part of the country that has been struggling recently.
nhl won’t happen there
206er:
now jerry brewer is saying he has heard burkle will be aminority investor. i don’t get it, there seems to be a ot of confusion with burkle’s involvement. i think you guys make a great point that if their initial offer is less, it shows how overextended they already are. sac just threw their best punch. now it’s hansen/ballmer’s turn. i have to think hansen/ballmer are up for a fight here just like they have been with the arena.
What can Hansen/Ballmer do to make it look like the advantage is back with Seattle?
Agreed, I just said it would be interesting. Since everyone else is just throwing $hit against the wall today. Mayhap I quote CMD?
Perhaps this was done on purpose, but the details of the offer are so vauge that all it has done is lead to people to speculate what the actual offer entails. We should probably just wait until Sacramento actually shows their final cards.
korboko: What can Hansen/Ballmer do to make it look like the advantage is back with Seattle?
I’m comfortable with them being the silent approaching tsunami they have been the whole time.
korboko: What can Hansen/Ballmer do to make it look like the advantage is back with Seattle?
If you see Hansen/Ballmer making public statement, then its time to get worried. Until then, everything is in the bag.
Sofa King:
Putting a hockey team there would acutally be interesting. A natural rivalry with the Sharks would be refreshing for a part of the country that has been struggling recently.
NHL won’t do that. There are about 5-6 markets in the United States that would get a hockey team.
Seattle, Houston, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Portland.
Arena Football and WNBA. Good luck Burkle, I hope you can make up your investment.
Myk:
Do people think that following the blog (especially on 500+ comment threads) easier if each of the comments were numbered? Make it easier to remember where you left off when you come back?
I think it would make it easier
korboko: What can Hansen/Ballmer do to make it look like the advantage is back with Seattle?
Stay Quiet. The Advantage has never left Seattle.
Otto: Arena Football and WNBA.Good luck Burkle, I hope you can make up your investment.
They would probably fill more dates but I just wonder if there is a real need for big concert acts to go to Sacramento and then over to the bay area where a new SF arena will be a better draw. Not disparaging Sacramento, but from experience over here in Baltimore, most everyone goes to Phili and DC because there i no need to hit up a stop in between. Just speculation though on my part.
Each post is time stamped. That serves a similar purpose.
Otto: Stay Quiet.The Advantage has never left Seattle.
^^THIS
There is nothing for Hansen/Balmer to do but wait for the final decision. Their hat is in the ring, sale has been done, just pending approval. Yeah the advantage has not changed since January. Despite KJs efforts
The only thing that Hansen can really do at this point is have the corporate dollars leaked so it shows how much stronger the corporate support is here even if its just initial estimates.
The only reason we would ever hear from Hansen is if it is about the arena or something of that nature. He is also gagged on the team sale and really has no reason to speak anyway.
Nonsense. They can just call our longshoremen’s union, and get some of those “200 daytime events” they were adamant that a Seattle arena would draw. Call him “Boat Show” Burkle.
BarelyAble: This Cook guy…he is ridiculous. he doesn’t even control the shares….additionally, what happened to the $20 million show piece that was gonna bid on this?
So I guess Ellison never returned his call? And he now thinks Mastrov is going too? What a clown. If this was an issue someone outside of Sacramento in the media would be talking about it.
Non-issue. After all the theatrics yesterday I am still just as confident that the BOG will approve sale and relo.
MLS wants to expand to 30. Why not expand to Sacramento. When Burkle owns AEG, he can help put a stadium somewhere near Sleep Train Arena. It will be great. I’m serious.
trolltossin:
The only thing that Hansen can really do at this point is have the corporate dollars leaked so it shows how much stronger the corporate support is here even if its just initial estimates.
He doesn’t need to leak anything - I am sure the BOG/NBA knows and that is all that matters. Sac is in face saving mode which is why all this info is going public.
trolltossin:
The only thing that Hansen can really do at this point is have the corporate dollars leaked so it shows how much stronger the corporate support is here even if its just initial estimates.
He doesn’t even need to do that. The difference there is so stark that calling attention to it might even look desperate. It’s night and day between the two cities.
It’s hilarious to act as if its breaking news that Cook would be willing to fold his shares into Burkle/Mastrov if they were just so kind as to bail him out of bankruptcy.
“Solve all my financial woes and we can work together.”
korboko:
MLS wants to expand to 30. Why not expand to Sacramento. When Burkle owns AEG, he can help put a stadium somewhere near Sleep Train Arena. It will be great. I’m serious.
They would need to build a stadium to accommodate. They have had stadium problems longer than they have had arena problems.
Keep in mind one other thing for those that are worried:
1. We know Mastrov’s bid is “slightly less than Hansen”
2.
Didn’t finish:
2.
crap - should I just give up!
2. We know Stern has called Hansen Ballmer “well financed”
3. Do you think Mastrov’s slightly less bid is as “well financed”?
I don’t
brett: He doesn’t need to leak anything – I am sure the BOG/NBA knows and that is all that matters.Sac is in face saving mode which is why all this info is going public.
This. It is well known the Seattle area has the highest concentration of millionaires per capita than any other metro area in the nation. BOG doesn’t need “leaks” in the media, they don’t care about “leaks”
trolltossin:
The only thing that Hansen can really do at this point is have the corporate dollars leaked so it shows how much stronger the corporate support is here even if its just initial estimates.
Leaked to the people that actually make the decision?
The owners got a full report from Hansen already.
The league really doesn’t like public discussion of their business. If you want to be an owner in that private club then you have to act the part.
Sofa King: They would need to build a stadium to accommodate. They have had stadium problems longer than they have had arena problems.
MLS is hellbent on NY2 for some stupid reason, they have one team there with an amazing stadium and no one shows up. I guess being named after a crappy energy drink dosent help though…..
Sofa King: They would need to build a stadium to accommodate. They have had stadium problems longer than they have had arena problems.
I am pretty sure that FIFA really dictates a little more than people realize. I could see maybe 24 teams, but FIFA wants their leagues at 18-20 and they already are pissed about our scheduling and having Canadian teams. But then again the league may do whatever it wants. I doubt they could even comfortably go to 24 teams with the poor situations of many of the teams. The PNW is really an outlier compared to the rest of the league.
Danimal: MLS is hellbent on NY2 for some stupid reason, they have one team there with an amazing stadium and no one shows up.I guess being named after a crappy energy drink dosent help though…..
Having the stadium in New Jersey doesn’t help much either.
Nothing I heard last night (or ever, since the sales agreement was announced) changes this ugly truth for SAC fans: Burkle and KJ were told this deal was happening and they should focus on getting an ownership group and arena plan ready for the next available team.
Burkle has made an offer to buy AEG, and has now pledged to help get an arena solution for Sacramento. No actions or comments from him have changed anything- in fact, all we’ve seen just backs it up. He’s in this for the future.
I’m sure KJ knows it as well, and is helping position the city, potential owners, and fans to be hungry and ready to bring a team “Back to SAC” (c), while putting up a great front. Of course he has to say they are fighting for this team because he can’t very well let on that they are losing this one and fighting for the next.
Kings fans got way too drunk on hype last night, and the hangover will be brutal. When they come down, they should be worried that Burkle isn’t part of the ownership group, and that they are at the early stages of an arena plan.
But I do think they will be very well situated to lure the Bucks or Pacers or one of those ACC teams in a few years.
korboko: Seriously… when he mentioned a second tennent, for a sec I just thought Burkle was going to relocate the Penguins to Sacramento
As a Seahawk fan I would love that.
Prepping for the future would be prudent as the odds of our deal falling through are slim per the info we have.
@ChrisDaniels5: FWIW - NBA league office confirms to me that it received Mastrov bid. #NBAKings
BarelyAble:
@ChrisDaniels5: FWIW – NBA league office confirms to me that it received Mastrov bid. #NBAKings
Hey, if they accept it,,,let’s just find a whale or two and have them send in a “bid” to the NBA for any other (fill in the blank, Bobcats, Sixers) team
I think the Disney Company should send a “bid” too.
The league really doesn’t like public discussion of their business. If you want to be an owner in that private club then you have to act the part.
That’s a great point and I think that’s one thing that is solidly in Hansen’s favor. He’s gone about this the right way. KJ on the other hand, has been a spectacle. Bordering on looking like a joke. I think it does more to keep fan moral up in Sacramento and to build expectations their locally than it will do anything to sway votes at BOG meeting.
Not dismissing KJ’s impact, because if they didn’t have passion from the mayor, they likely don’t even have the ear of the NBA BOG in April. We’ll see how things go now that the prospective buyer has breached. KJ should step back now, if he’s smart. Make sure the deal is rock solid, twist arms in city council to get as much money as possible and of course, be really creative to avoid significant lawsuits by the anti-tax crowd.
The prospect of drawn out lawsuits is going to hurt their cause… Because they have been working on an arena deal for how many years now? They will say they just go started because the Maloof’s are gone, but no one else will look at it that way. So if there is a likely prospect of a community generated lawsuit scuttling this thing, they likely will just let the Hansen deal go through. All things being equal, they easily could just go with the Hansen deal.
So having said all that… if KJ is still clowning now, he’s either an idiot or desperate. Because he’s made his case to the people, he’s made it clear his intentions, he’s won any PR battle he could win at this point, so now it comes down to two competing bids and whether his is sweet enough to deny a binding sale of an NBA team to a great market.
Ric Bucher: People close to Burkle/Mastrov, doubtful they can pull it off.
Otto: Ric Bucher: People close to Burkle/Mastrov, doubtful they can pull it off.
Hey Otto!
BarelyAble: They would probably fill more dates but I just wonder if there is a real need for big concert acts to go to Sacramento and then over to the bay area where a new SF arena will be a better draw.Not disparaging Sacramento, but from experience over here in Baltimore, most everyone goes to Phili and DC because there i no need to hit up a stop in between.Just speculation though on my part.
Arco Arena currently has over 200 event days a year, the NCAA has said they would return to Sacramento if they built a new arena. It will be built as a Sports AND Entertainment complex.
If I were the NBA, I would approve the sale but deny the relocation bid. By doing this, they can get out of the double bind this whole process puts them in.
By approving the sale, the owners set no negative precedent w/r/t selling a team to whomever they want. By denying the relocation they help reinforce that a city that invests in an arena won’t be abandoned by the NBA (and thus keeping their best scam/blackmail racket alive and well)
If they do this then the Hansen’s group can decide to sell to the KJ group or stay in Sacto. Either way, the owners have escaped the trap they have set by allowing Sacto to bid.
That’s a terrible solution.
QuasiContract:
Hi peeps, long time lurker first time poster here. Looking forward to NBA BBall in Seattle again!
2 quick questions:
1. Any word on if the Seattle group making a bid(s) to get the 7% Bankruptcy share? Undercutting that part of KJ’s plan would be sweet.
2. Is there a point when it becomes time for either the Seattle ownership group or Mayor McGinn or someone to go more public and perhaps take the offensive against all the KJ rhetoric? I think now would be a great time to remind everyone about the laundry list of reasons that Seattle is a better option for the NBA. I assume they are staying so quiet because the NBA asked them to, so that could be a good thing.
IMO, the ones making the most noise, are the ones on the losing side. Quiet calm confidence speaks volumes.
SeattleSlew:
If I were the NBA, I would approve the sale but deny the relocation bid.By doing this, they can get out of the double bind this whole process puts them in.
By approving the sale, the owners set no negative precedent w/r/t selling a team to whomever they want.By denying the relocation they help reinforce that a city that invests in an arena won’t be abandoned by the NBA (and thus keeping their best scam/blackmail racket alive and well)
If they do this then the Hansen’s group can decide to sell to the KJ group or stay in Sacto.Either way, the owners have escaped the trap they have set by allowing Sacto to bid.
I think the NBA combined to two processes because they are not going to this. They are going to consider them together. Which makes sense since if they approve, obviously Hansen is moving the team. If they don’t approve, obviously Hansen wished he never would have bought the team.
Hansen and Balmer are welcomed partners of the NBA fraternity. They are sending a huge relocation fee and raising the value of every franchise with their bid. So the NBA isn’t going to make a decision that makes their purchase a nightmare. The NBA is going to push for the cleanest solution and if they are approving the move, they are going to assure Sacramento that building an arena is the best step to get the Kings back. And if they don’t, they are going to assure Seattle that they continue to be a great destination for a team.
SeattleSlew:
If I were the NBA, I would approve the sale but deny the relocation bid.By doing this, they can get out of the double bind this whole process puts them in.
By approving the sale, the owners set no negative precedent w/r/t selling a team to whomever they want.By denying the relocation they help reinforce that a city that invests in an arena won’t be abandoned by the NBA (and thus keeping their best scam/blackmail racket alive and well)
If they do this then the Hansen’s group can decide to sell to the KJ group or stay in Sacto.Either way, the owners have escaped the trap they have set by allowing Sacto to bid.
All that would accomplish is making Hansen lose a crap-ton of money. Not allowing Hansen to relocate would instantly devalue the franchise and he’d have no chance of receiving anything close to what he paid for it. That’s also why the Maloofs would essentially be forced to sell to KJ’s group, since no big money suitors looking to relocate the team would be interested in a team that the league has decreed can’t leave Sacramento (and why Hansen won’t be denied, btw).
I was admittedly a little nervous after lasts night’s little pep rally, but after listening to it again on Sports radio, I realized how much of it was style over substance. Very little was said. There were no real surprises. If you read the message boards and blogs in Sacramento, KJ accomplished whipping people up into a frenzy. However, he has to realize, the agreement signed with Seattle is binding. Money is paid. NBA ownership does not care about fan loyalty. We’d still have the Sonics if that we’re the case. They care about the monetary value of their teams. This sale to Hansen just increased every Teams’ value. They care about markets. Seattle’s market is a proven step up from Sacramento. They want to avoid litigation. Denial of this sale would most certainly turn this litigious. Also, this would set a precedent as future owner sales could be denied and these are people that value autonomy of decision.
The most advantageous scenario is to grant one of these cities expansion, but of this not an option…we should by all counts feel comfortable welcoming back our Sonics.
SeattleSlew:
If I were the NBA, I would approve the sale but deny the relocation bid.By doing this, they can get out of the double bind this whole process puts them in.
By approving the sale, the owners set no negative precedent w/r/t selling a team to whomever they want.By denying the relocation they help reinforce that a city that invests in an arena won’t be abandoned by the NBA (and thus keeping their best scam/blackmail racket alive and well)
Impossible. Approval of a sale takes a 3/4 vote of the BoG, but relocation only needs a simple majority. If you think you’d get seven owners who would vote to approve a sale but deny a relocation, which is what this scenario would require, you’re living in a fantasy world.
SeattleSlew:If they do this then the Hansen’s group can decide to sell to the KJ group or stay in Sacto.Either way, the owners have escaped the trap they have set by allowing Sacto to bid.
Even under this scenario, there’s a third alternative: have Hansen pull a Bennett — strip the Kings of any talent they have left, spend nothing on the team and let it become one of the worst ever in NBA history, while at the same time sandbagging any arena effort in Sacto by making impossible demands, eat the resulting losses for a couple of years, then file for relocation again, claiming that the situation in Sacramento is hopeless. Do you think a majority of the BoG would still vote against the relocation at that point, knowing that Hansen is now a member of the “old boy’s club,” and realizing that a “no” vote then could result in their own franchise being, essentially, held hostage down the road?
Let me clarify my comments. I am not saying this is a ‘good solution.’ The NBA really has their foot in it because the Maloof’s wanted to stick it to Sacto which is a city that has played by the “rules” set forth by the NBA. I think every NBA owner hated the spectacle and incompetence that is/was the Maloofs.
But the NBA has a black eye coming either way. If they reward the new bid, they have screwed Seattle who has an environment the NBA deems worthy of a franchise (new stadium). If they deny Sacto, they put to the sword this concept of new arenas are the only way to keep a team.
The OKC fiasco really raised the question of whether a stadium would have kept the Sonics (since he had no intention of staying) or whether it was a convenient excuse to ‘justify’ a move. Here Sacto really shows the illusion that owners will move no matter what if they want to. They just need to find an excuse. Not really helpful when you are asking people to put money down on a stadium to ensure the NBA’s ‘good faith.’ In effect an owner can do whatever they want no matter how irrational (Exhibit A: the Maloofs).
So, if I were the NBA, the face saving move would be to validate the sale but void the relocation. The NBA could offer this to the city/Burkle and Hansen and co in private. If Hansen balks, I award the KJ team the bid but Hansen needs to be made whole on the $30MM. Because this is in private, it is face saving and there isn’t a drawn out drama over what Hansen will do.
Now, do I think this will happen? Of course not! The Kings are gone. Sacto is going to get screwed and the NBA will ride out the public relations black eye. Stern can say they gave Sacto every chance but (fill in excuse here) so, sorry.
the nightfly:
Even under this scenario, there’s a third alternative:have Hansen pull a Bennett — strip the Kings of any talent they have left, spend nothing on the team and let it become one of the worst ever in NBA history, while at the same time sandbagging any arena effort in Sacto by making impossible demands, eat the resulting losses for a couple of years, then file for relocation again, claiming that the situation in Sacramento is hopeless.Do you think a majority of the BoG would still vote against the relocation at that point, knowing that Hansen is now a member of the “old boy’s club,” and realizing that a “no” vote then could result in their own franchise being, essentially, held hostage down the road?
Too late. Maloofs already did this!
Dear Sir or Madam
I read your comments and I hope that Seattle gets a team, but you seem to be working on emotion and not facts.
I am a lifelong resident of Sacramento, 43 years to be exact. Seattle is an awesome and beautiful place. By all accounts has a much better Corporate base, 10 times our corporate base.
You have a bigger TV market, but the advertisors have to split their money on Three other pro franchises, so the Market size arguement is diluted. We actually are better when you look at the fact it is not shared, so companies actually have to spend a lot more for the same “reach”.
The most important fact that everyone, including some of my rabid friends who are Kings “fanatics” is that the NBA is a business, and it is a Franchisor/Franchisee type of business wher the BOG will act in the best interest of the “company” or NBA. It does not serve the “company well” to screw a city that supports them very well and does what they ask. If I am an owner, especially one that needs an arena, I would be very cautious about approving a sale and move. Every NIMBY not in my back yard, tax activist will bring up the Sacramento situation if asked to help subsidize an arena. This means that Owners will need to pony up a lot of money to get new arenas, this will cost the owners far more than any help from better TV contracts spread over 30 teams.
Seattle deserves a Team, and will probably get an expansion team, they may even get my beloved Kings, but this is far from over, and it is not emotion. Burkle will be involved in the ownership. Lets keep this factual, the NBA is a smart business run by smart people, they do not want to ruin their public image for this move. They want to be rid of idiots like the Maloofs and have great owners like Hansen/Ballmer, Mastrov/Burkle as it makes the brand much better.
This has nothing to do with our passion as a team and has everything to do with positioning a brand and company to make it more profitable. Letting the Kings move when the city has stepped up will hurt the future. And if they are smart they will award expansion to a great city, and great fan base who got screwed by Bennett. Kryten: Nothing I heard last night (or ever, since the sales agreement was announced) changes this ugly truth for SAC fans: Burkle and KJ were told this deal was happening and they should focus on getting an ownership group and arena plan ready for the next available team.Burkle has made an offer to buy AEG, and has now pledged to help get an arena solution for Sacramento. No actions or comments from him have changed anything– in fact, all we’ve seen just backs it up. He’s in this for the future.I’m sure KJ knows it as well, and is helping position the city, potential owners, and fans to be hungry and ready to bring a team “Back to SAC” (c), while putting up a great front. Of course he has to say they are fighting for this team because he can’t very well let on that they are losing this one and fighting for the next.Kings fans got way too drunk on hype last night, and the hangover will be brutal. When they come down, they should be worried that Burkle isn’t part of the ownership group, and that they are at the early stages of an arena plan.But I do think they will be very well situated to lure the Bucks or Pacers or one of those ACC teams in a few years.
You all talk about a “binding” contract but let me ask you this. Would David Stern allow Sacramento and Ron Burkle to continue working to put a bid together if the deal was really “binding” Why would he waste his time, Kevin Johnsons time, Ron Burkles time and the City of Sacramento’s time. Shouldn’t he have just said at the beginning “Sorry KJ and Sacramento but the deal is done and there’s nothing you can do about it?
r8drzrule:
You all talk about a “binding” contract but let me ask you this. Would David Stern allow Sacramento and Ron Burkle to continue working to put a bid together if the deal was really “binding” Why would he waste his time, Kevin Johnsons time, Ron Burkles time and the City of Sacramento’s time. Shouldn’t he have just said at the beginning “Sorry KJ and Sacramento but the deal is done and there’s nothing you can do about it?
I think of the agreement as binding, but contingent on whether certain NBA prerequisites are met (BoG vote, etc.).
I would agree that Seattle continues to be in the advantageous position — does the league really want to set a precedent where an owner is not allowed to sell his team to the party of his choosing?
That said, I doubt the Hanset/Ballmer group expected that they’d get this much of a fight.
Variant: I think of the agreement as binding, but contingent on whether certain NBA prerequisites are met (BoG vote, etc.).
I would agree that Seattle continues to be in the advantageous position — does the league really want to set a precedent where an owner is not allowed to sell his team to the party of his choosing?
That said, I doubt the Hanset/Ballmer group expected that they’d get this much of a fight.
I agree with, that contingent not binding.
I still think you’ll get the Kings, but we will fight to the bitter end to keep them. I just hope, if you get our Kings that the Magoofs are out of the picture. They are the biggest bunch of douche bags I’ve ever met. DO NOT believe anything they say. And stay away from their skank, hooker, errrrrr escort girlfriends. I’ve had the opportunity to meet a few and lets just say their on a first name basis with the clinic…
r8drzrule:
You all talk about a “binding” contract but let me ask you this. Would David Stern allow Sacramento and Ron Burkle to continue working to put a bid together if the deal was really “binding” Why would he waste his time, Kevin Johnsons time, Ron Burkles time and the City of Sacramento’s time. Shouldn’t he have just said at the beginning “Sorry KJ and Sacramento but the deal is done and there’s nothing you can do about it?
Yes, David Stern would allow Sacramento continue to put a bid together. He wants to salvage what’s left of his reputation, and he knows he made mistakes in the way he handled the Sonics relocation to OKC. He wants to appear that he at least gave Sacramento a fair shot. This whole ownership group and plan is a smoke screen to show they are fighting to keep the team, when it is in fact just to get lined up should another team become available in the near future.
Great forum guys. A few things I want to mention.
1. if the BOG denies the sale of the Kings to H/B group then the maloofs still own the team. And there is no certainty that they will sell to any Sacramento to group. the Maloofs do not want this team in Sacto. The NBA wants to get rid of The maloofs once and for all.
2. Couldn’t the maloofs file for relocation ? And once in Seattle, renew the sale to H/B?
3. 30 million up front money and an agreement to not negotiate with anyone else. If they reject the H/B deal there will be litigation.
4.hansen will be there to bid on the 7% of the team. He wants as much of the team as possible.
5. Suck it KJ! You’re a joke of a mayor. This is just political grand standing for your next election bid, sac has had ten years to get a new Arena! You’ve failed over And over. You could have made an offer to the maloofs. Don’t give us that “we didn’t know they were for sale crap!!”
6. Go hawks… And supes
Sharing the Seattle mArket means a multi billion dollar tv deal In a few years, possibly wrapped up with the mariners sounders, future NHL team. ….. Billion
There’s nothing to match. The NBA can’t just give the team to another “bidder”. They have to deny the current agreed sale and the Maloofs have to agree to sell to this Sac group which has to be approved by the BOG.
Was this even approved by the WNBA?
If that
This is off the wall. What if they don’t approve the sale but approved the relocation. The Maloofs move up to Seattle and start sitting courtside at the Key.
The maloofs can’t own the team and have the team be in seattle.
I agree with this. The Maloofs just got there $30 million relocation fee handed to them if something doesn’t work out.
Kind of like how the Storm was a consolation prize?
I don’t know- to me, it seems all their hope is tied in WE WILL BUILD AN ARENA AND YOU DIDN’T!! It ignores every other fact.
Throw in a MLS team, and you have a sweet deal.
I get that, but what I’ve been saying since last night is: if Sac could match…why not? Think of just the PR perception difference in sending in a matching bid instead of a lesser bid. Especially if it’s just “slightly less”, why not go ahead and push for a few more bucks and match then? Over extended already? Or is it really a bit more than “slightly”?
The city of Sacramento is not going to pawn off a huge asset, as broke as they are, to build a shrine to the WNBA. None of their plan will happen without the Kings, nor should it.
Maybe Sacramento will get its revenge by having Mastrov buy the Storm and turning them into the Monarchs. Lol.
dually noted on not using that source guys, my apologies. Anyways if this indeed an avenue they are using then i think it speaks to their desperation.
The reason I went with it is because of what KJ said last night that the Local Investors were going to PURCHASE the 7 percent and didnt say bid, if I heard that correctly. I remember hearing that and was thinking wow they are just going to the bid no matter what KJ? thought it was cocky of him
Just seems to me like a “hey, look over here!” tactic. If I’m Kevin Johnson or Ron Burkle, and the discussions in a scenario where I’m committing to saving the Kings start veering toward women’s basketball, I’m not thinking they’re taking my initial foray very seriously.
Jerry Brewer doesn’t seem to think it would make sense for Burkle to only work on the arena front and not be part of the team…when in fact it is the most logical thing ever from what we have read about his business sense and desire to maximize investment. He could very well be in on the team but I just think the whole arena deal is really where he wanted to go and he rebuffed KJ on being the “whale” of the Kings. We know Mastrov wants in on the NBA so he would have said yes in a heart beat.
Do people think that following the blog (especially on 500+ comment threads) easier if each of the comments were numbered? Make it easier to remember where you left off when you come back?
Not only that, but it would help his bid for AEG by essentially expanding their portfolio without doing any additional work.
Seriously… when he mentioned a second tennent, for a sec I just thought Burkle was going to relocate the Penguins to Sacramento
The fact that CD is still talking about a minority owner transfer while keeping a ROFR intact tells me he isn’t thinking.
Carmichael Dave or Chris Daniels?
The Sacramento POS.
This would be awesome.
now jerry brewer is saying he has heard burkle will be aminority investor. i don’t get it, there seems to be a ot of confusion with burkle’s involvement. i think you guys make a great point that if their initial offer is less, it shows how overextended they already are. sac just threw their best punch. now it’s hansen/ballmer’s turn. i have to think hansen/ballmer are up for a fight here just like they have been with the arena.
Hansen/Ballmer’s best shot would be “Well, we’ll just go get a binding sales agreement. Oh wait, we already did that.”
KJ wouldn’t have made a point of saying “singular whale” and Burkle being on the arena side only if Jerry Brewer’s assessment was remotely accurate.
Putting a hockey team there would acutally be interesting. A natural rivalry with the Sharks would be refreshing for a part of the country that has been struggling recently.
nhl won’t happen there
What can Hansen/Ballmer do to make it look like the advantage is back with Seattle?
Agreed, I just said it would be interesting. Since everyone else is just throwing $hit against the wall today. Mayhap I quote CMD?
Perhaps this was done on purpose, but the details of the offer are so vauge that all it has done is lead to people to speculate what the actual offer entails. We should probably just wait until Sacramento actually shows their final cards.
I’m comfortable with them being the silent approaching tsunami they have been the whole time.
If you see Hansen/Ballmer making public statement, then its time to get worried. Until then, everything is in the bag.
Well they would need a new anchor tenant.
Arena football.
NHL won’t do that. There are about 5-6 markets in the United States that would get a hockey team.
Seattle, Houston, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Portland.
Arena Football and WNBA. Good luck Burkle, I hope you can make up your investment.
I think it would make it easier
Stay Quiet. The Advantage has never left Seattle.
They would probably fill more dates but I just wonder if there is a real need for big concert acts to go to Sacramento and then over to the bay area where a new SF arena will be a better draw. Not disparaging Sacramento, but from experience over here in Baltimore, most everyone goes to Phili and DC because there i no need to hit up a stop in between. Just speculation though on my part.
Each post is time stamped. That serves a similar purpose.
^^THIS
There is nothing for Hansen/Balmer to do but wait for the final decision. Their hat is in the ring, sale has been done, just pending approval. Yeah the advantage has not changed since January. Despite KJs efforts
The only thing that Hansen can really do at this point is have the corporate dollars leaked so it shows how much stronger the corporate support is here even if its just initial estimates.
The only reason we would ever hear from Hansen is if it is about the arena or something of that nature. He is also gagged on the team sale and really has no reason to speak anyway.
Nonsense. They can just call our longshoremen’s union, and get some of those “200 daytime events” they were adamant that a Seattle arena would draw. Call him “Boat Show” Burkle.
So I guess Ellison never returned his call? And he now thinks Mastrov is going too? What a clown. If this was an issue someone outside of Sacramento in the media would be talking about it.
Non-issue. After all the theatrics yesterday I am still just as confident that the BOG will approve sale and relo.
MLS wants to expand to 30. Why not expand to Sacramento. When Burkle owns AEG, he can help put a stadium somewhere near Sleep Train Arena. It will be great. I’m serious.
He doesn’t need to leak anything - I am sure the BOG/NBA knows and that is all that matters. Sac is in face saving mode which is why all this info is going public.
He doesn’t even need to do that. The difference there is so stark that calling attention to it might even look desperate. It’s night and day between the two cities.
It’s hilarious to act as if its breaking news that Cook would be willing to fold his shares into Burkle/Mastrov if they were just so kind as to bail him out of bankruptcy.
“Solve all my financial woes and we can work together.”
They would need to build a stadium to accommodate. They have had stadium problems longer than they have had arena problems.
Keep in mind one other thing for those that are worried:
1. We know Mastrov’s bid is “slightly less than Hansen”
2.
Didn’t finish:
2.
crap - should I just give up!
2. We know Stern has called Hansen Ballmer “well financed”
3. Do you think Mastrov’s slightly less bid is as “well financed”?
I don’t
This. It is well known the Seattle area has the highest concentration of millionaires per capita than any other metro area in the nation. BOG doesn’t need “leaks” in the media, they don’t care about “leaks”
Leaked to the people that actually make the decision?
The owners got a full report from Hansen already.
The league really doesn’t like public discussion of their business. If you want to be an owner in that private club then you have to act the part.
MLS is hellbent on NY2 for some stupid reason, they have one team there with an amazing stadium and no one shows up. I guess being named after a crappy energy drink dosent help though…..
I am pretty sure that FIFA really dictates a little more than people realize. I could see maybe 24 teams, but FIFA wants their leagues at 18-20 and they already are pissed about our scheduling and having Canadian teams. But then again the league may do whatever it wants. I doubt they could even comfortably go to 24 teams with the poor situations of many of the teams. The PNW is really an outlier compared to the rest of the league.
Having the stadium in New Jersey doesn’t help much either.
Nothing I heard last night (or ever, since the sales agreement was announced) changes this ugly truth for SAC fans: Burkle and KJ were told this deal was happening and they should focus on getting an ownership group and arena plan ready for the next available team.
Burkle has made an offer to buy AEG, and has now pledged to help get an arena solution for Sacramento. No actions or comments from him have changed anything- in fact, all we’ve seen just backs it up. He’s in this for the future.
I’m sure KJ knows it as well, and is helping position the city, potential owners, and fans to be hungry and ready to bring a team “Back to SAC” (c), while putting up a great front. Of course he has to say they are fighting for this team because he can’t very well let on that they are losing this one and fighting for the next.
Kings fans got way too drunk on hype last night, and the hangover will be brutal. When they come down, they should be worried that Burkle isn’t part of the ownership group, and that they are at the early stages of an arena plan.
But I do think they will be very well situated to lure the Bucks or Pacers or one of those ACC teams in a few years.
As a Seahawk fan I would love that.
Prepping for the future would be prudent as the odds of our deal falling through are slim per the info we have.
@ChrisDaniels5: FWIW - NBA league office confirms to me that it received Mastrov bid. #NBAKings
Hey, if they accept it,,,let’s just find a whale or two and have them send in a “bid” to the NBA for any other (fill in the blank, Bobcats, Sixers) team
I think the Disney Company should send a “bid” too.
That’s a great point and I think that’s one thing that is solidly in Hansen’s favor. He’s gone about this the right way. KJ on the other hand, has been a spectacle. Bordering on looking like a joke. I think it does more to keep fan moral up in Sacramento and to build expectations their locally than it will do anything to sway votes at BOG meeting.
Not dismissing KJ’s impact, because if they didn’t have passion from the mayor, they likely don’t even have the ear of the NBA BOG in April. We’ll see how things go now that the prospective buyer has breached. KJ should step back now, if he’s smart. Make sure the deal is rock solid, twist arms in city council to get as much money as possible and of course, be really creative to avoid significant lawsuits by the anti-tax crowd.
The prospect of drawn out lawsuits is going to hurt their cause… Because they have been working on an arena deal for how many years now? They will say they just go started because the Maloof’s are gone, but no one else will look at it that way. So if there is a likely prospect of a community generated lawsuit scuttling this thing, they likely will just let the Hansen deal go through. All things being equal, they easily could just go with the Hansen deal.
So having said all that… if KJ is still clowning now, he’s either an idiot or desperate. Because he’s made his case to the people, he’s made it clear his intentions, he’s won any PR battle he could win at this point, so now it comes down to two competing bids and whether his is sweet enough to deny a binding sale of an NBA team to a great market.
Ric Bucher: People close to Burkle/Mastrov, doubtful they can pull it off.
Hey Otto!
Arco Arena currently has over 200 event days a year, the NCAA has said they would return to Sacramento if they built a new arena. It will be built as a Sports AND Entertainment complex.
If I were the NBA, I would approve the sale but deny the relocation bid. By doing this, they can get out of the double bind this whole process puts them in.
By approving the sale, the owners set no negative precedent w/r/t selling a team to whomever they want. By denying the relocation they help reinforce that a city that invests in an arena won’t be abandoned by the NBA (and thus keeping their best scam/blackmail racket alive and well)
If they do this then the Hansen’s group can decide to sell to the KJ group or stay in Sacto. Either way, the owners have escaped the trap they have set by allowing Sacto to bid.
That’s a terrible solution.
IMO, the ones making the most noise, are the ones on the losing side. Quiet calm confidence speaks volumes.
I think the NBA combined to two processes because they are not going to this. They are going to consider them together. Which makes sense since if they approve, obviously Hansen is moving the team. If they don’t approve, obviously Hansen wished he never would have bought the team.
Hansen and Balmer are welcomed partners of the NBA fraternity. They are sending a huge relocation fee and raising the value of every franchise with their bid. So the NBA isn’t going to make a decision that makes their purchase a nightmare. The NBA is going to push for the cleanest solution and if they are approving the move, they are going to assure Sacramento that building an arena is the best step to get the Kings back. And if they don’t, they are going to assure Seattle that they continue to be a great destination for a team.
All that would accomplish is making Hansen lose a crap-ton of money. Not allowing Hansen to relocate would instantly devalue the franchise and he’d have no chance of receiving anything close to what he paid for it. That’s also why the Maloofs would essentially be forced to sell to KJ’s group, since no big money suitors looking to relocate the team would be interested in a team that the league has decreed can’t leave Sacramento (and why Hansen won’t be denied, btw).
I was admittedly a little nervous after lasts night’s little pep rally, but after listening to it again on Sports radio, I realized how much of it was style over substance. Very little was said. There were no real surprises. If you read the message boards and blogs in Sacramento, KJ accomplished whipping people up into a frenzy. However, he has to realize, the agreement signed with Seattle is binding. Money is paid. NBA ownership does not care about fan loyalty. We’d still have the Sonics if that we’re the case. They care about the monetary value of their teams. This sale to Hansen just increased every Teams’ value. They care about markets. Seattle’s market is a proven step up from Sacramento. They want to avoid litigation. Denial of this sale would most certainly turn this litigious. Also, this would set a precedent as future owner sales could be denied and these are people that value autonomy of decision.
The most advantageous scenario is to grant one of these cities expansion, but of this not an option…we should by all counts feel comfortable welcoming back our Sonics.
Impossible. Approval of a sale takes a 3/4 vote of the BoG, but relocation only needs a simple majority. If you think you’d get seven owners who would vote to approve a sale but deny a relocation, which is what this scenario would require, you’re living in a fantasy world.
Even under this scenario, there’s a third alternative: have Hansen pull a Bennett — strip the Kings of any talent they have left, spend nothing on the team and let it become one of the worst ever in NBA history, while at the same time sandbagging any arena effort in Sacto by making impossible demands, eat the resulting losses for a couple of years, then file for relocation again, claiming that the situation in Sacramento is hopeless. Do you think a majority of the BoG would still vote against the relocation at that point, knowing that Hansen is now a member of the “old boy’s club,” and realizing that a “no” vote then could result in their own franchise being, essentially, held hostage down the road?
Let me clarify my comments. I am not saying this is a ‘good solution.’ The NBA really has their foot in it because the Maloof’s wanted to stick it to Sacto which is a city that has played by the “rules” set forth by the NBA. I think every NBA owner hated the spectacle and incompetence that is/was the Maloofs.
But the NBA has a black eye coming either way. If they reward the new bid, they have screwed Seattle who has an environment the NBA deems worthy of a franchise (new stadium). If they deny Sacto, they put to the sword this concept of new arenas are the only way to keep a team.
The OKC fiasco really raised the question of whether a stadium would have kept the Sonics (since he had no intention of staying) or whether it was a convenient excuse to ‘justify’ a move. Here Sacto really shows the illusion that owners will move no matter what if they want to. They just need to find an excuse. Not really helpful when you are asking people to put money down on a stadium to ensure the NBA’s ‘good faith.’ In effect an owner can do whatever they want no matter how irrational (Exhibit A: the Maloofs).
So, if I were the NBA, the face saving move would be to validate the sale but void the relocation. The NBA could offer this to the city/Burkle and Hansen and co in private. If Hansen balks, I award the KJ team the bid but Hansen needs to be made whole on the $30MM. Because this is in private, it is face saving and there isn’t a drawn out drama over what Hansen will do.
Now, do I think this will happen? Of course not! The Kings are gone. Sacto is going to get screwed and the NBA will ride out the public relations black eye. Stern can say they gave Sacto every chance but (fill in excuse here) so, sorry.
Too late. Maloofs already did this!
You all talk about a “binding” contract but let me ask you this. Would David Stern allow Sacramento and Ron Burkle to continue working to put a bid together if the deal was really “binding” Why would he waste his time, Kevin Johnsons time, Ron Burkles time and the City of Sacramento’s time. Shouldn’t he have just said at the beginning “Sorry KJ and Sacramento but the deal is done and there’s nothing you can do about it?
I think of the agreement as binding, but contingent on whether certain NBA prerequisites are met (BoG vote, etc.).
I would agree that Seattle continues to be in the advantageous position — does the league really want to set a precedent where an owner is not allowed to sell his team to the party of his choosing?
That said, I doubt the Hanset/Ballmer group expected that they’d get this much of a fight.
I agree with, that contingent not binding.
I still think you’ll get the Kings, but we will fight to the bitter end to keep them. I just hope, if you get our Kings that the Magoofs are out of the picture. They are the biggest bunch of douche bags I’ve ever met. DO NOT believe anything they say. And stay away from their skank, hooker, errrrrr escort girlfriends. I’ve had the opportunity to meet a few and lets just say their on a first name basis with the clinic…
Yes, David Stern would allow Sacramento continue to put a bid together. He wants to salvage what’s left of his reputation, and he knows he made mistakes in the way he handled the Sonics relocation to OKC. He wants to appear that he at least gave Sacramento a fair shot. This whole ownership group and plan is a smoke screen to show they are fighting to keep the team, when it is in fact just to get lined up should another team become available in the near future.
Great forum guys. A few things I want to mention.
1. if the BOG denies the sale of the Kings to H/B group then the maloofs still own the team. And there is no certainty that they will sell to any Sacramento to group. the Maloofs do not want this team in Sacto. The NBA wants to get rid of The maloofs once and for all.
2. Couldn’t the maloofs file for relocation ? And once in Seattle, renew the sale to H/B?
3. 30 million up front money and an agreement to not negotiate with anyone else. If they reject the H/B deal there will be litigation.
4.hansen will be there to bid on the 7% of the team. He wants as much of the team as possible.
5. Suck it KJ! You’re a joke of a mayor. This is just political grand standing for your next election bid, sac has had ten years to get a new Arena! You’ve failed over And over. You could have made an offer to the maloofs. Don’t give us that “we didn’t know they were for sale crap!!”
6. Go hawks… And supes
Sharing the Seattle mArket means a multi billion dollar tv deal In a few years, possibly wrapped up with the mariners sounders, future NHL team. ….. Billion