If you have a special moment with your family or hug a stranger today please make sure to take a moment to think about Mark Collins and all the rest of the gang at Save Our Seahawks who made it possible. This town has a great tradition of fans who have worked hard.
I’m sending an e-mail to Nick Licata today to remind him that this is what we are fighting for. Those rare days when everybody in the city is aligned around the same thing, when we share hopes and dreams with people that we otherwise have nothing in common with.
There is huge value in having the community united, even over something as small as sports. It creates the promise and potential that we can be united about other things. The commonality with our common men and women on the street brings us together in a way that can’t be quantified and carries forward to help us care about each other more moving forward.
I’ve given the speech a thousand times. Today we get to live it. GO SEAHAWKS!!!!
GO SEAHAWKS!!!
There’s always this fun little fact that Chris Daniels shared via twitter.
Fun w/#’s: #Seahawks/49ers game avg 63.1 share, peaked at 65.9 in #Seattle. Meaning almost 2 out of 3 people in Seattle DMA likely watched.
More fun #’s: The #Seahawks/Rams game avg was 72.1 share, with peak at 76.2, or likely about 3 out of 4 Households watching in #Seattle.
I’ll never forget what it felt like when Behring loaded up those vans and literally moved this team to Cali. I’ll never forget what it felt like when he had to load them up again and move them back. I’ll never forget what it felt like when I heard that Paul Allen purchased and option to buy. I’ll never forget what it felt like on that election night when it looked at first as if the stadium would go down in flames as I listened to the results on the radio in despair. I’ll never forget what it felt like when the yes vote pulled ahead for the first time. I’ll never forget what it felt like as the yes vote slowly pulled away for the victory. I’ll never forget what it felt like to know we had indeed saved our Seahawks.
It was that victory that made me kind of complacent when the Sonics arena issue came up. I never thought we would lose because I thought the state would rally around the team. I was wrong. I’ll never forget what it felt like the day they left for OKC.
And when it is announced that we are getting a team back, I’m sure I’ll never forget what that feels like either.
Funny story.
I was engaged to my then girlfriend (now wife) who I lived with and a student at the UW. I had a really cool internship that we hoped would transition to a job after graduation In the period of a couple weeks we broke up and cancelled our wedding, I graduated from school and was informed by my boss that they had no funding and I would need to find a new job. As a result of the girlfriend leaving I realized that I would also have to move.
So after work I got really drunk at the New Orleans. Just hammered. I wandered depressed around Pioneer Square looking for a cab or bus and came across this guy standing outside King Street Station.
I looked up and he seemed familiar. I said “Are you Warren Moon?” and the guy said “Yeah. Everything OK man?”
I don’t remember the conversation exactly but Warren told me that they had just won the vote to save the Seahawks and he the party was getting ready to start. He invited me in for a drink and we watched Paul Allen and his band rehearse to play. Like a half hour later it opened to the public. I stayed there until like 2am before I finally had to call my dad for a ride home.
An almost surreal night, especially considering how the last few years have worked out. I always remember Warren’s kindness and how important it was to have people around. I believe I hugged a lot of strangers that night.
GO HAWKS! Woohooo let’s do this!!! In Russ we trust!
GO HAWKS!!!
What measure of cultural value does this game have?
It sure as heck ins’t next to zero.
Go Seahawks!
It is funny how much happier the City seems when the Seahawks win. You can argue the cultural values “worth”, but to argue that it doesn’t exist is impossible.
*value’s
Seahawks win!!!
Dave Grosby@Thegroz
It’s overRT @RPaulRogers: @Thegroz hey dave. you predicted a dark decade for the sonics in 2003. its a decade later. darkness about to end!
Should I point out that Groz (tweeter above) is normally quite skeptical about things?
So groz says its about to end?
Don’t want to put words in his mouth, but the wording of that tweet says the thinks it has ALREADY ended. Chew on that.
Sweet!
I could be reading too much into it. But I’m not.
Oh ok i see, he was replying to your tweet to him. I dont tweet so it took me a minute to understand hahahaha
Mike Gastineau@gasman206
Stolen from Mark Carter who stole it from Mark Shin. Joke: Andrew Luck and RG III walk into a bar…to watch @DangeRussWilson play Atl!
Oh and there is this…
NBA on NBC Boston@NBAonNBCBoston
Sources close to http://nbaonnbc.com confirm that Danny Ainge is working to complete a deal to bring Cousins to Boston, tonight.
If its the trade that has been rumored i really like it for sacto. Get some more draft picks and some guys that contending teams wouldnt mind possibly trading for depth down the stretch to get more picks or some younger guys.
I could see a trade, but I have a hard time seeing the Celts give up Sullinger or Terry given that they are in win now mode and Terry is their instant offense and Sullinger is their best big man off the bench.
If there is no third team included I could see
Boston gets: Cousins, Fredette
Sac gets: Bradley, Melo, Lee 2 1st rd picks and a 2nd round pick.
If there was a third team like what was speculated then all bets are off.
Hopefully for Sac, Tyreke gets healthy before the trade deadline and they are able to accumulate more picks.
They need to trade Tyreke for a real SF. JET or Bradley or especially Lee won’t help them. If that’s who they’re getting they should see if they can include Thornton to get Green or something.
http://www.nbaonnbc.com/profiles/blogs/source-celtics-may-be-closing-in-on-trade-for-demarcus-cousins
Boston wants to trade JET and Courtney Lee for Cousins? If Sac does that, they’re dumber than I thought.
Anyone see the big red-azzed baboon in the room? Is there any surprise?
http://espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=sportsnation&pollId=3440163
Almost as though the state of Oklahoma doesn’t like us.
@TaylorB1983
MT @SHowardCooper: @GaryPayton_20 among first-time Hall of Fame (@Hoophall) nominees, http://NBA.com learns. Link to come. #Sonics
SIX former Sonics on the ballot.
http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/01/07/payton-reinsdorf-granik-top-list-of-hall-of-fame-class-of-2013-nominees/
correction: five.
well… four players and one guy who did commentary for us.
Oh, actually it is five. Sarunas Marciulionis is on the international ballot.
Isnt today the deadline for virginia beach? Could be a huge day!
One thing i hate regarding the whole VB thing is how much hype is being put into it. Oh it could be a huge blow to seattle arena etc. seesh If it was a legitimate serious threat to seattle getting a team back the ultimatum wouldn’t be necessary.
Im sayin to get the kings it could put more things in motion. We are gonna get a team either way im sure of that
I know i was just stating an opinion on the whole issue that its being overblown.
Read a tweet from a komo reporter this morning
Jon Humbert @jonhumbert
It’s “deadline day” in Virginia Beach for an arena. Could be talk, but could be mega blow to #Seattlearena: http://bit.ly/V3Hplp
Its those that are making it more as a serious threat than it really is that what annoys me. I wouldn’t use mega blow in this case if i was reporting on the deadline.
It COULD only be a problem if the kings were the only team seattle is after and VB had a full funded approved arena plan not a half funded arena plan thats not even been approved.
yeah hugh, that should be the case. i’m really curious to see if/how the discussing about the kings changes after today if that deadline is upheld.
How could the Maloofs sign a lease on an arena that doesn’t exist without NBA BOG approval for relocation?
i don’t think they can
Didnt okc do that? Sign a lease pending relocation approval?
Did they? But at least they had an arena. VB doesn’t have an arena, or an arena plan, or funding for an arena.
Touche
I think so but didn’t that happen after the agreement of the arena plan for OKC?
How can the NBA BOG even approve for relocation to an area with no approved arena plan especially with a questionable size arena as temp facility?
additionally, how can va beach sign a lease without a funding package approved by the city council/state legislature? i guess they could agree on the financial terms contingent upon both the city/state electeds approving the funding AND the league approving a move… seems like there would be a lot of IFs in that agreement…
Let me add one more IF the NBA would even allow a non viable arena (6k seats i think) as a temporary facility.
6,000 seats?! No way the NBA allows that.
i was guessing but point being there is no arena that is at least 10k seats or more in the VB region.
That’s the issue with the whole VB plan of no arena till team is secured how can they get a team if there is no viable temporary arena even if a plan is approved.
Only reason why seattle can get away with that cause we do have Key Arena.
sounddersfan, you’re talking about the old dominion arena, right? i think it’s got like 8,000 seats, but still point taken. that’s been the most far fetched part of this whole va beach deal from the beginning. that place is smaller than hec ed and likely doesn’t have ANY box suites. i really can’t imagine the league approving a move there even on a temporary basis. i’m just hoping this game of chicken ends soon and it’s good for seattle.
Yes i wasn’t sure how many seats off hand.
I think what really kills the VB NBA idea is not the maloofs but the city of VB themselves.
Maybe tomorrow says VB.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/07/5097267/virginia-beach-mayor-wont-make.html
Groan
Oh for heaven shakes that’s just stalling on a dead plan.
Uhhhg
I’ll be honest i don’t think VB has no idea what they are doing.
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
SacBee says no VB deal yet… RT @dakasler: No word today from Va Beach on #NBAKings - prob’ly Tuesday. City set deadline to get deal done.
This makes me think they are stalling.
“I need an answer by monday”. On monday-” well whats it gonna be? Oh youre not sure yet? Ummmm wow ummm ok we’ll try again tomorrow, but this time i mean it.” Hahaha hell of a poker player that mayor must be. Hahaha
Come on Mr VB Mayor…just run into the arms of the Maloofs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DGu5X3Dy0I
what is a DAY going to do? are they really that close to a deal on this bogus plan?? i’m hoping that they are actually that close to a SALE and the maloofs are grasping for leverage throughout the final days/week(s) of negotiations with ballmer… but that’s just me looking at this through green and gold colored glasses.
I think it’s more VB saying “we need a deal by Monday!” and then Monday comes and no deal so they say “well… okay, but by Tuesday for sure!”
It’s like when a parent starts counting but you have no idea what number they’re counting to or what happens when they get there.
indeed its a stall tactic.
VB is delusional. Been used from the very beginning.
Unless something goes very wrong, the Kings will be here next year.
I’m far from convinced that it’ll be as soon as next season, or that it’ll be the Kings. I agree about Virginia Beach, but let’s not be delusional ourselves.
What other choices do the maloofs really have?
No arena plan in sac. Anahiem is a no. VB is essentially dead.
They are running out of options.
this is true. if kansas city was an option they would have done it LONG ago. the maloofs are definitely nearing the end of their road. ballmer and stern have them cornered and are telling them to be reasonable and surrender.
I don’t get why KC, St Louis and Louisville haven’t been mentioned. They all already have arenas built.
Taylor,
No one is interested in KC not sure if the market is really there. Louisville and St Louis are ??? market wise.
i’m mean i’m not sure NBA could work in Louisville and st Louis. With St Louis they have to compete against the blues.
I understand what you are saying. But I stand by my statement.
The most the maloofs could really do besides selling the team to Hansen is come out and say we’ll stay in sac for another year and wait to see what our options then.
If it truly wasn’t the kings wouldn’t there be denials/or confirming that it won’t be the kings from hansen’s group?
Not necessarily. They don’t have to confirm or deny anything until the time is right.
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
Virginia Beach spokesperson tells me City Mayor will issue statement tomorrow to City Council on status of Arena project…1:30 Pacific…
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
VB spokesperson would not say if it’s positive, negative, or neutral. @Pilotnews is reporting it will be joint statement w/ComcastSpectacor.
Hmmm wonder what they are gonna say.
Joint statement with only comcast makes me think this is a dead deal now but something they will look into in the future
Best case for VB is the Bobcats in a few years IMO.
some dude chatting with chris daniels on twitter thinks the fact that comcast will be taking part bodes well for their arena plan. i honestly have no clue what to make of it but with the fundamental plan being so flawed and logistically impossible i don’t see how it could be anything other than a “we are delaying these efforts” speech
@ChrisDaniels5
@muneeb_karim @_pinksheets I don’t know if they’ll be “present” but at least part of a “joint statement”
I am one of those…._pinksheets to be exact. Daniels clarified things for me. I took it was some joint press conference, which wouldn’t bode well, but a joint statement doesn’t mean much.
Thats exactly what im anticipating
I don’t get why people are assuming that just cause they are gonna have a statement means its good news for the arena and asking what about seattle arena etc.
Kings or not we are gonna get a team. Im not sweatin it that much. I would selfishly prefer its sooner then later however and if that means the kings then so be it.
they set this deadline. obviously they would have a statement either way. people seem to think that since it’s a joint statement with Comcast/Spectator that means it’s good news. until I hear the Maloofs are going to be there, I’m not reading too much into it.
and by “good news” I mean “good news for VB”
Yep. If it was a joint statement or press conference with comcast the mayor AND the maloofs or “team represenatives” then i would believe its something positive for virginia beach. To me this sounds like a well we tried statement
i know they set a deadline i just don’t get the assumptions that this is good news for VB.
I was agreeing with you
hopefully after tomorrow we can move on from the whole VB stuff.
Imagine in the VB announcement they say “we tried to get the Kings but apparently the Maloofs already sold the team.”
LOL i doubt it it would say something like that but still LOL
Omg i would pass out. Hahaha
Would that be something the maloofs would do have someone else tell the world that the team has been sold?
well I doubt VB’s mayor would be under any kind of confidentiality agreement
VB is two things IMO…
1. A bluff by the Maloofs
2. PR for their mayor
No announcement today
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/07/5097267/virginia-beach-mayor-wont-make.html
per sactownroyalty.com;
“Per Jim Crandell, sources say someone close to the clowns…i mean Maloofs, the VB deal won’t be happening.
by mrbaka on Jan 7, 2026 2:44 PM EST”
So it sounds like balmers check has cleared ; ) Hahaha
i’d be curious what softy/daniels has heard about what those sources have indicated. damn, i’m always on the edge of my seat!
this made me laugh.
a few reply on the comment are waiting for a more reliable source
VB is a smokescreen, always has been. The NBA BOG will never in a million years let them play in an arena that small, even temporarily.
This appears to have been a backfired publicity stunt. Right now the Maloofs are hanging on waiting if they can get $500 million from someone.
” If it was a joint statement or press conference with comcast the mayor AND the maloofs or “team represenatives” then i would believe its something positive for virginia beach. ”
Unless David Stern is at that press conference, it ain’t positive news for VB.
I have been told some things in private that make me believe that a sale of the Kings to the Hansen group is either complete or in the finalization stages. The person who told me this described how he got the information and I believe him. It is consistent with some tweets that Softy has made. It is consistent with a tweet that Chris Daniels saying that he had heard such a rumor. I should point out that Daniels chose not to elaborate further when pressed. Being the journalist that he is, I expect he was and is still looking into it. It would also explain why an ultimatum was given by the mayor of VB, in essence telling the Maloofs to fish or cut bait (or a different metaphor that Jenn_GP shared in a previous thread )
I suppose tomorrow if VB announces they have a deal then the person who told me this will have been proven wrong. I believe, however, that VB will back out of this tomorrow and that he will be eventually proven right.
If I were a journalist, I would not be prepared to officially report this. But I am not a journalist. I am just a guy that believes something that was told to me and I believe we are near the end.
For what it’s worth…
I have been told some things in private that make me believe that a sale of the Kings to the Hansen group is either complete or in the finalization stages. The person who told me this described how he got the information and I believe him. It is consistent with some tweets that Softy has made. It is consistent with a tweet that Chris Daniels saying that he had heard such a rumor. I should point out that Daniels chose not to elaborate further when pressed. Being the journalist that he is, I expect he was and is still looking into it. It would also explain why an ultimatum was given by the mayor of VB, in essence telling the Maloofs to fish or cut bait.
I suppose tomorrow if VB announces they have a deal then the person who told me this will have been proven wrong. I believe, however, that VB will back out of this tomorrow and that he will be eventually proven right.
If I were a journalist, I would not be prepared to officially report this. But I am not a journalist. I am just a guy that believes something that was told to me and I believe we are near the end.
For what it’s worth…
i sure hope you’re right! holding my breath until tomorrow at 1:30. i’m hoping the maloofs have burned their last bridge
I sure hope I’m right too.
Thanks for the info! I’m ready to talk about roster and coaching moves!
To many strange things happening for a deal to NOT be in the works. Silence from Hansen Camp, NBA, Maloofs! Even Brian Robinson has been a little less active on this site. Just seems to me that the stars are aligning. I am doing some digging and gonna find out what’s up!!
Exactamundo.
Sorry you all had to witness my Fonzie imitation.
hmm is that worth 1 technical foul or double tech foul? (only kidding).
but i agree its too darn quiet.
bleh monterated the post probably due to the smile face
yea i agree its too darn quiet
and I noticed you tweet about a source close to the Maloofs saying no deal with VB.
i’m kind iffy on the that. So i’ll wait and see what happens tomorrow.
paul: i understnad you not wanting to post your info on here but how about a email? send me some good news: sandpapercondom@hotmail.com.
Would love to, but I promised I wouldn’t reveal those details.
Good move, keep your word.
yea i would definitely too keep my promise if i knew what exactly was going on.
If i was knew someone personally that knew the details i wouldn’t ask. I would wait patiently until the details comes out even if that means a month or two of waiting.
The Wizards beat the Blunder 101-99.
Let me just add one more thing. My wife cooked some really good chicken tonight.
If thats a hint im not gettin it. But it sounds delicious. Hahaha
Not a hint. Just complimenting my wife.
Oh ok. Hahaha
Another thing is that Sweet Baby Ray’s is some good BBQ sauce. For the average joe like me.
yes it is. Another good one is kc masterpiece
My parents get that all the time.
Whisky River.
My prediction. The Gas Man to ESPN to take over the Kevin Calabro show and Kevin becomes the voice of the Sonics for next year. It just makes sense.
I bet the Gas Man throws down some bbq chicken on a regular basis.
where the hell has kevin been for the past few months? havent heard him on there in quite a while.
I bet he’s been doing lots of college/nba radio.
Coincidence that Calabro has been doing less of his show with the impending return of the Sonics?
Probably.
Calabro is one of the main play by play guys for Pac 12 network for both football and basketball.
I’m not sure if he’s still doing NBA radio broadcasts I think he does, but his schedule is full with broadcasting duties
Do I take it the Gas Man didn’t end up going to the new AM sports radio station?
PS…KJR is not listen-able when Elise comes on. Never thought I’d say this, but when you take Gas Man out, the show gets more boring. Sorry Elise, I’m all for girl power but I’m not a fan of her show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW19D4qXStI
As expected….Arena is a NO GO in Virginia Beach, Still game on for Seattle!
http://blogs.wavy.com/2013/01/08/update-on-va-beach-arena-deal-and-sacramento-kings/
As expected……Arena is a NO GO in Virginia Beach, Still game on for Seattle!
http://tinyurl.com/b4fqxgb
Like many of you, I remember working on the Save Our Seahawks campaign. Licata and Van Dyke’s offices were in the same building, yet they couldn’t join forces because they wanted to make names for themselves. Regarding Kevin Calabro, am not sure, but he may be the lead ESPN radio broadcaster when he’s available. Jim Durham passed away last fall/winter I think, and I’ve heard K.C. paired with Jack Ramsay on multiple occasions since.