Another Cuppa Rat Poison: The Sequel

by Tom Ziller on Feb 13, 2009 5:24 AM PST in Arena

The Bee has a big story on the importance of the Feb. 27 Cal Expo presentation, in which the NBA and Cal Expo personnel will present to the Maloofs a detailed plan of how the plan would be funded, developed, and what sort of public assets (if any) will be needed.

That's encouraging -- something we have waited for a long time now. These passages are less encouraging.

Should an NBA team decide it wants to move to a new city, the league deadline to submit a relocation application is March 1.

Joe Maloof declined to say whether team representatives have talked with other cities recently or whether the Kings are considering filing a relocation request.

Officials in both San Jose and Anaheim this week told The Bee they are very interested in landing the Kings or another NBA team for their arenas.

Asked if San Jose officials have talked recently with the Kings, Brewster said, "I can't comment on that."

In Anaheim, Mike Schulman, chairman of the board for the company that controls the Honda Center Arena, also declined to say whether officials there have talked with the Kings, but said the city wants an NBA team.

Given that the Cal Expo presentation comes two days before the relocation application deadline, I think we'll be safe for next year. Even if the plan is bad, these things always come with a few weeks of euphoria.

But given that the dates are so close together, the Maloofs could submit their application early. Before the presentation. Call it protecting themselves in case the plan is unworkable. That's the scary part -- because from there the line between self-defense and screwing your fanbase is blurred and easily crossed.

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I don't think we'll lose the Kings

All those years that the Kings were good the Maloofs were earning a healthy return. Now they’ve been losing money for 2 years, but thats more of an economic issue. In the long run, staying in Sacramento is probably the best thing. Its one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Forbes recently put Sacramento in its #2 spot for cities looking to ADD professional teams. So if the Maloofs move/sell Sacramento, it would be a huge blow to the fans. I don’t see it making sense for them. They’re huge basketball fans anyway and have stuck with the Kings. They just need to learn to let Petrie handle most of the work and stop interfering with the actual basketball operations.

by Aykis16 on Feb 13, 2009 5:34 AM PST reply actions

Unfortunately

The fans have proven to be pretty “fair weather” during this drought and have not really stuck with the team. Attendance is last in the league, and the Maloofs have to keep their options open. I know, it sounds pretty shitty, but that’s the harsh reality. They are not going to go down with the good ship Lollypop if fans don’t start showing up.

"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 13, 2009 6:54 AM PST reply actions

I think a lot of different ticket packages/gimmicks will be introduced

Especially next year. Maybe like a partnership with Carl’s Jr. or something on Kings scoring 100? I believed that happened once. Although to be fair to Carl’s, it should be if the Kings can hold opponents to 100.

Also, I’ve managed to go to more games this season than any other season, simply because tickets are cheaper and there are leftovers. They need either a) cheaper tickets, or b) better packages or c) combo.

I will agree with you that a lot of the fans have been fair weather, but a surprising amount of season ticket holders have also jumped ship. I think a lot of it has to do with the economy. First thing you want to do when you need to start saving money is stop doing things that cost a lot of money and a Kings game, even for a 10 buck ticket will still cost you around 40 bucks a pop total if your REALLY frugal, and that includes gas to get to Natomas and back plus parking.

by Aykis16 on Feb 13, 2009 7:06 AM PST up reply actions

Fair weather?

I think given the decade of sellouts the owners have enjoyed, your use of that term shows a lack of knowledge about the team, and its fanbase.

Have you given any thought to the horrifying state of the economy, and the effect it’s having on ticket sales? This market sold out Arco for teams worse than this one, despite the born-rich trying-to-live-up-to-daddy’s-legacy guy running things.

For the record, I’m talking about the Maloofs.

If the Kings move so far as Davis, they’re dead to me.

Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen.

by andy sims on Feb 13, 2009 8:52 AM PST up reply actions

Last I looked

Every other team in the league is dealing with the same economy, but only one team is dead last in attendance. Call it what you will.

"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 13, 2009 5:08 PM PST up reply actions

Fair weather is rough

The Maloofs are charging 50-win team money for a 20-win team. I don’t blame the fans for not going to the games.

by Deleran on Feb 13, 2009 12:01 PM PST up reply actions

Where would you rather see the Kings go?

San Jose or Anaheim?

by BettorFan on Feb 13, 2009 7:41 AM PST reply actions

If the Kings REALLY DID LEAVE

which I don’t think will happen, and San Jose and Anaheim are the two potential destinations. I would rather it be San Jose so as to keep them within driving distance. Plus So-Cal doesn’t need another NBA team. If anything, the Clippers should move to Anaheim. That would be the smart thing to do. That also takes care of the problem of the Lakers having 43 home games a year.

But Sacramento is where the Kings shall stay.

by Aykis16 on Feb 13, 2009 7:48 AM PST up reply actions

If it's either ...

… I’d probably phase out my fandom.

by Tom Ziller on Feb 13, 2009 8:03 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd for truth.

I don’t know why we’re even discussing this to be honest.

by Aykis16 on Feb 13, 2009 8:19 AM PST up reply actions

Id quit that instant, singing

some modified version of the The Dead Kennedys,
Take this team and shove it,
i aint rootin here no more,
Ill never yell again for the players ive been screamin for,
Kevin Martin, Shock and Hawes
Im walking out the door
Take this team and shovit,
I aint rootin here no more.

by passionforPERPS on Feb 13, 2009 9:03 AM PST up reply actions

Sadly

That’s probably how I would feel as well

by batso on Feb 13, 2009 9:06 AM PST up reply actions

With TZ

It’s the “Sacramento” that made me a Kings fan 20+ years ago, and it’s the “Sacramento” that will keep me a Kings fan.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Feb 13, 2009 9:20 AM PST up reply actions

some of us are old enough that we had been fans of other teams before these guys showed up in SacTown

If my home has no team, I can always use previous support to restart my Fandom somewhere else.

Unfortunately, I was a Knicks fan when I was younger. How many of StR would jump to the Warriors?

Ack, nevermind – the thought is too depressing and I am looking forward to NBA All-Star weekend

by betweentheeyes on Feb 13, 2009 4:38 PM PST up reply actions

In all honesty...

how much better will the San Jose and Anaheim market be? I don’t think they will attend more games over the next 10 years than sacramento fans will.

by Ultrakingsfan on Feb 13, 2009 7:50 AM PST reply actions

Exactly

It makes no sense, especially when the Sacramento market is still growing.

by Aykis16 on Feb 13, 2009 7:56 AM PST up reply actions

You Think those Passages are "Less Encouraging"?

You should (actually, no, you shouldn’t) read the comments posted by all the small-minded, soccer moms/amateur-economists, Kings-hating, Maloof-resenting, Sacbee message board trolls.

They range from “I’ve lived here before the Kings got here and the city was fine” to “I’m so sick of the Maloofs asking for money…” Somebody even managed to turn this whole thing into a dig against Obama, who apparently, is already screwing the country. Hmm…Economic crisis-Iraq war-Goerge Bush = Obama screwing the country?

I am soooo glad to have StR’s message boards and the meaningful contributions made by real fans, and not ignorant, myopic, trolls looking to spread their infectious ignorance on any available platform.

Lastly, if the Clippers (or, gasp, Kings) did move, why has San Diego not been mentioned recently? They have 2 pro franchises that do well. I think it’s time the city (whose name is German for “a whale’s vagina”) welcome back the NBA.

by PhutureKings on Feb 13, 2009 8:43 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

San Diego had the Clips before

by Aykis16 on Feb 13, 2009 9:05 AM PST up reply actions

Rec'd

For “Ignorant, myopic, trolls” and Anchorman reference

by batso on Feb 13, 2009 9:08 AM PST up reply actions

TZ, do you know if the dubs have

any “territory” or “sphere of fandom” or anything like that. Last year before the A’s decided on Fremont they were looking to San Jose and the Giants protested to to the league and the league office ruled that Jan Jose was the Giants area.

I’m sure Chris Cohan would be screaming and hiring hit men if the Family was seriously considering a move to San Jose. A large portion of the dub’s fan base comes from San Jose and the south bay and Oracle is still sold out most nights for a team slightly better than ours.

Given that just about every local government is seriously in the red and considering or actually laying off police and fireman and other basic services it’s going to take more than Joe and Gavin batting their eyes at the mayor to get a city to take them if they are looking for any public money. I’m sure that they could share the Sharks arena but then they come in as a tenant without anywhere near as much control as they currently enjoy at ARCO. Also, if the Kings moved to San Jose, once the novelty wears off they would still be located right in the heart of dub’s fan and fans aren’t going to switch their allegiance that fast, it could be a very hard sell.

"We are in the business of kicking butt and business is very, very good." - Charles Barkley

by Bluejohn on Feb 13, 2009 9:34 AM PST reply actions

SACRAMENTOOOOOOOOOOO

Kings.

Its just meant to be.

by Aykis16 on Feb 13, 2009 9:57 AM PST reply actions

Fuck'em all

So imitate the action of the tiger!
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage.
- lend the eye a terrible aspect,

Now set the teeth - and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Feb 13, 2009 10:50 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

PEOPLE OF SACRAMENTO!!!

Let’s build a new arena!!! Wall street got bailed out with OUR tax money why not build an arena and stimulate our economy!!

by SacKings4Life on Feb 13, 2009 10:50 AM PST reply actions

And after it's built,

we could hang a “Mission Accomplished” banner on the front of the new arena.

Nice job, Rummy.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Feb 13, 2009 11:01 AM PST up reply actions

Revitalizing Cal-Expo

an arena, fixing the business 80

a lot of jobs there. By the time it was done the economy will have turned around and that development will be welcome.

IMO

So imitate the action of the tiger!
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage.
- lend the eye a terrible aspect,

Now set the teeth - and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Feb 13, 2009 11:34 AM PST up reply actions