30Q: Will the Maloofs File for Relocation?

by Tom Ziller on Sep 17, 2009 9:28 AM PDT in Commentary

30Q asks the important questions about the Kings all through September.

If, after the past two years, you still want to keep Basketball The Business separate from Basketball The Game, you're hopelessly romantic. It's all about the money, always.

The very existence of the Sacramento Kings will become a business question more this year than any since 1984. The Maloofs stated publicly in March 2009 -- when the league officials unveiled their plan for a Cal Expo arena -- that they'd like to see progress in one year's time. We're halfway through the period at this point ... and the economy's still bad, development is molasses slow, cash is hard to come by and we haven't heard anything beyond "This is a big project" from the builders and investors John Moag seeks. This arena remains an uphill battle.

Suppose there is little progress by February. The end of that month signals the deadline for an NBA team to file for relocation for the 2010-11 season. We could see Anaheim or Kansas City swoop in on the Kings, offer up a lucrative lease deal for their extant arenas, and get the Maloofs to bite. Or, Moag (an NBA rep leading the charge here in Sacramento) could signal progress, encourage another year of patience, and keep Sacramento viable on more year.

Will anything that happens on the court affect any of this? Chris Paul arguably saved New Orleans's attendance two years ago, boosting the ticket average high enough to set off some clauses making it more difficult for the franchise to extricate itself from N.O. Paul, however, was a multi-year pro at that point, and remains one of the most transformative young players in the league. Tyreke Evans is not quite there. Kevin Martin is not quite there. The Kings won't likely threaten for the playoffs, and attendance won't be great.

So this fate of the Sacramento Kings is left to suits and money men, to the league's bidders, the team's owners and the folks who make their money building things. I'm not optimstic progress will be swift, though I hold out hope Moag can keep the Maloofs from filing for relocation. Until there's a deal, hope's all we got.

Poll

Which of the following best describes your current feelings on the arena/relocation situation?

Worried

302 votes

Optimistic

102 votes

Pissed off

80 votes

Apathetic/don't care

92 votes

576 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 17 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I chose to remain optimistic

"It ain't over till it's over." - Yogi Berra

by 49er16 on Sep 17, 2009 9:33 AM PDT reply actions

I'm hoping that enought people are worried too

My fear is that all of the “No New Arena” people are more vocal about their cause than the Kings fans.

Any word on revised downtown railyard projects or rebuilding in Natomas projects?

by markdog333 on Sep 17, 2009 9:59 AM PDT reply actions

Come to Vegas

We can have an arena built in two years and I want my Kings! VEGAS!

by Screamer on Sep 17, 2009 11:16 AM PDT reply actions

Hey you

Get bent.

by Tom Ziller on Sep 17, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions

+1

by UCIrvine kings fan on Sep 17, 2009 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Go to one of your local casinos and get your Kings there

You’re not getting our Kings

by CloudyEyes on Sep 17, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Vegas sucks!

Go scream somewhere else.

From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.

by My Losing Season on Sep 18, 2009 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Yo Ziller, I'm really happy for you, and I'mma let you finish

but yesterdays 30Q was the best 30Q of all time. ALL TIME.

On a serious note, my optimistic side says the Maloofs do want to keep this team here, they know the potential this city has (having been among the top earners in the NBA back when we were good), and won’t file for relocation.

But my business sense says that if profits keep going down and someone offers a deal thats too good, they’ll snap at it.

Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.

by Aykis16 on Sep 17, 2009 11:26 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

because I know you’ve been waiting a whole day to use that. It was worth it, I laughed.

"Sometimes the capriciousness of youth anesthetizes common sense." -Let Geoff's words guide our patience this season.

by AnotherStupidSN on Sep 17, 2009 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Haha I was too.

I even had a pic of Kanye ready for photoshopping but I decided against it haha.

Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.

by Aykis16 on Sep 17, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Was he gonna be interrupting Ziller's avatar?

Or superimposed onto a screenshot of the StR homepage?

You f’ing tease.

"Sometimes the capriciousness of youth anesthetizes common sense." -Let Geoff's words guide our patience this season.

by AnotherStupidSN on Sep 18, 2009 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions

I hope they realize that no matter where you are, you're not going to sell tickets with a 15 win record.

…and right now, in this economy, they’re not going to fill the arena until the Kings have, at least, a marginal season.

Anyway, I WOULD like to see a new arena built, not out in the middle of no where. I’m optimistic that the Kings will stay… The Maloofs promised the Kings would stay in Sacramento a few years ago and I’m taking their word on it.

by CloudyEyes on Sep 17, 2009 1:41 PM PDT reply actions

The downtown railyard is the best viable option.

This is a win/win situation for the developer, City and team. I wish they would quit talking about this Calexpo billionaire investment during a recession Crap. Everyone needs to stop being greedy and pay there fair share so we can build it and develope a respectable downtown with a true sports complex (I like the Rivercats but we need to trade them for the A’s). The Kings belong in Sacramento!

by Sactobrother on Sep 17, 2009 4:15 PM PDT reply actions

Worried

It’s strange that I’d be worried about this considering I don’t live in California anymore. But Sacramento will always, in its own way, be my hometown. The Kings are my team, and I consider them part of what keeps me tied to Sacramento. I’d be really, really upset if the team moved. Honestly, I can’t tell for sure just how bad my reaction would be.

So I voted “worried”, but I’d honestly be amazed if the team relocated. I think the Maloofs would want Vegas if they wanted anywhere, but I can’t imagine any possibility where the NBA allows Vegas to happen.

Never forget: I am a complete idiot

by Exhibit G on Sep 17, 2009 5:23 PM PDT reply actions

I still don't get how Anaheim is an option

I understand the arena is in place (as I’m a local myself), but there’s already TWO nba teams in the greater region. I just don’t see the support being there to make it successful.

Screw you Knicks! LBJ to the Kings!!!

by Shizzo on Sep 17, 2009 6:15 PM PDT reply actions

Not just two basketball teams

but two baseball teams, two hockey teams, a MLS team, and amazingly no NFL team. The LA area is not lacking in sports. Sacramento has the one team. We were in the top 3 of earners back when we were good. The Maloofs know they can make money here. They have made money here. I’m gonna go ahead and say that even though the Maloofs pocketbook is a little lighter than usual at the moment, they’re nowhere close to being broke.

Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.

by Aykis16 on Sep 17, 2009 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

The Staples Center and the Arrowhead Pond (or whatever it’s being called these days) are 35 miles away from each other. Wouldn’t the Kings have to pay the Clips and L*kers hundreds of millions to buy their way into that market? And do they really think that L*ker fans that live in and around Anaheim would change their allegiance for the Kings?

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Sep 17, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions