Kings Dramatically Reshape Business Operations, John Thomas Out
by Tom Ziller on Mar 23, 2010 6:10 PM PDT
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This isn't quite Martin-for-Landry, but this is really huge news for the franchise: the Kings have announced John Thomas, the team's president since 1999, is out. He claims "family reasons," but The Bee's Ailene Voisin reports the Maloofs became disenchanted with Thomas's lack of creativity and pushed him aside. Not coincidentally, Joe Maloof is taking over as CEO of the team, Gavin Maloof will become the team's president, and for all intents and purposes Matina Kolokotronis is the new boss on the business side.
Kolokotronis essentially spent the past 15 years as the Maloofs' lawyer of choice, though she hasn't been in the public eye much. Oddly enough, her most public presence for the purposes of Kings fans was in the buy-out saga of Hedo Turkoglu: Kolokotronis and Jason Levien (Turk's former U.S. agent, and current Kings assistant G.M.) orchestrated that international incident. I say "oddly enough," by the way, because Levien has a new title: senior vice president, to go along with "assistant G.M."
Many fans have had just dandy relations with Thomas's staff -- without speaking for section214, I think he'd count himself as one. But Thomas's reputation, as Voisin mentions, is just awful. I've heard from numerous employees and colleagues of Thomas's over the years, those both here in Sacramento and at his old station in Houston. And to be honest, the reviews are almost unanimously bad. He's said to be egocentric, brusque and completely closed off to collaboration. That's a baaaaad combination. We can only guess whether all that's true, but I tend to believe it.
Again, as Voisin writes, it has been the Maloofs who have had to push Thomas in this new era of the Kings. The Maloofs had to overrule Thomas to get ticket prices lowered for the 2009-10 season. That's right: in the midst of that 17-win debacle last season, Thomas argued the team should keep ticket prices stable going into this year. Maddeningly anti-fan, that.
In this sense, the change should be good for fans. The Maloofs are nothing if not incredible promoters, and to have their ideas -- and the ideas and leadership skills of Kolokotronis -- unfettered by the old school Thomas. Cheers to the new regime.
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Thanks for your perspective TZ
I do remember hearing rumblings about how Thomas didn’t want to lower ticket prices. I believe The Bee had an article about it, early in the season. We might’ve even discussed it here.
Either way, like I said on the other thread, this just means the Maloofs will be more hands-on in the business side of the team and I have no problem with that.
Cheaper tickets FTW!!
"Children want what they want when they want it." ... Andy Sims
The Maloofs have worked hard to promote their team this season.
We know little if nothing about Thomas. I do not have a problem with the Maloofs having some say about ticket prices. They are the ones who are on the line financially for the team. If they do not like who represents them, then they should have the final say.
To be the best, you have to do your best. Otherwise, you are only second-rate.
He makes one hell of an English muffin.
But this is America, motherfucker!
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen.
by andy sims on Mar 23, 2010 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions 11 recs
You cut to the core of me, Andy Sims.
Rec’d
"If you told him to head-butt the wall, he would do it." -- Paul Westphal re: Brockness Monster.
by PhutureKings on Mar 23, 2010 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen.
by andy sims on Mar 23, 2010 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
LOL Sims
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Am i the only person who thought of robert downey jr. in tropical thunder when reading this?
Could some of you maybe use a condom once in a while?
by wallywagon11 on Mar 24, 2010 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions
I was using the protagonist from Team America World Police
GREENE! You’ve been superfluously apostrophe’d! - andy sims
You cited Voisin...
And I read it. Oh to what depths we have fallen. Sam, we miss you, but at least she kept her fluffy crap to a minimum.
Otherwise, bravo to the Maloofs for showing further commitment to the ongoing success of this franchise.
I wouldn't be surprised if he did it cuz he was bored. He might even start his own blog to talk about stuff that he comes across. I hope he does really.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Weird
That’s NEVER happened before.
cough.
"If you told him to head-butt the wall, he would do it." -- Paul Westphal re: Brockness Monster.
by PhutureKings on Mar 23, 2010 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Hostile Makeover.
Blessings.Love.Peace
by lifestyleforthesellout on Mar 23, 2010 6:51 PM PDT reply actions
Amick weighs in for his Fanhouse Debut
Good read, as usual. Link.
Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".
by Aykis16 on Mar 23, 2010 7:54 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Must. Read. Immediately.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Amick is back
Gotta love it.
Bookmarked
"Children want what they want when they want it." ... Andy Sims
Yeah -
I’m surprised that the Bee didn’t “Conan” him.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Anatomy of a successful evening
I don’t know what (if any) level of involvement Thomas had for the Wizards game ($1 beverage night), but it went something like this –
Offer downstairs season ticket holders extra tickets for the game at reduced prices, then –
Offer upstairs season ticket holders free upgrade to downstairs, as well as additional tickets at reduced prices, then –
Offer reduced priced tickets to the public.
This was done brilliantly – what a great way to slash ticket prices without pissing of your core fan base. End result was a full house for the nationally televised game.
This is what the Kings need to do more of next year. Hopefully this change is a step in that direction. I have always been more than satisfied as a MS&E customer, but ARCO has become a lonely place at times. Time to get creative and fill the old gas pump up.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Mar 23, 2010 8:00 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Hopefully next year
we can start a “Take ARCO back” movement for the Redacted and Warriors games.
Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".
When Muff & CTG told me on STR night 1 that they couldn't get a beer in reasonable time, I wonder if that had to do with John Thomas.
You can’t offer promotions and not staff the arena to save money. It defeats the purpose.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I was there
What happened was that there was dollar beer, but you could only get it at a few concession stands. You were also limited to buying two. And 1 cup was maybe 6 oz. Maybe. So you paid 2 bucks for a beer and a half. Not bad, but not worth the huge lines. Still was a really fun night though, moreso because of the game and crowd and drunk guy decked out in Kings gear that didn’t know anybody on the team. “Pass it to Peja!”
Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".
That's what I mean. No point in having something if it isn't worth it.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
They sold out the game
against the Wizards. It was worth it.
Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".
Well I understand that. But it's a cheap promotion if it doesn't really do what it's designed to do.
And cheap promotions get old. You can do that once or twice, but after that it’s pointless. I think that’s why they did it that way if I had to guess. And maybe my ideals when it comes to beer are probably what’s offended here. If anything else.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
They do the same thing at the Rivercats game for $2 beer night
You can only get it in a “special” beer garden, 8oz beer, 2 at a time. Good thing about the Cats game is the lines aren’t as bad so you can get your 2 beers, get back in line, slam the 2 beers while in line, then get 2 more to take back to your seat. It’s not great but not bad. You could never do that at the Kings game. I missed most of the 1st quarter trying to get 2 tiny beers. Not worth it.
I love beating dead horses.
I'll take $2 for 12 oz any day of the week
Especially when my 20 oz Blue Moon cost me $9.50
www.mancancook.net
Blue Moon.
Good Man.
Blessings.Love.Peace
by lifestyleforthesellout on Mar 24, 2010 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Although
the irony of Blue Moon, one of my favs, being brewed by Coors is not lost on me
www.mancancook.net
Same here.
Blue Moon is about my favorite beer. When I realized that they were made by Coors I almost stopped drinking them entirely.
Then I realized I would be cutting off one of my favorite drinks for a less than good reason.
Blessings.Love.Peace
by lifestyleforthesellout on Mar 24, 2010 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
You're a degenerate.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
If you like Blue Moon then I assume you like Hef
If you like those two try Bud Golden Wheat. Don’t be scared off if you don’t like Bud it is actually pretty good.
I love beating dead horses.
There's really no reason to have it at just a few concession stands
It makes sense because it’ll get some people to pay full price instead of waiting in line. But it seems ridiculous
www.mancancook.net
Post script
According to Amick, Thomas had little to nothing to do with $1 beverage night. So long, John
Post-post script. Read Amick’s article, then click on his name at the top of the article and save it to your favorites. He’ll make you glad that you did.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Caption
Matina Kolokotronis enthusiastically describes her last “arbitration meeting” with Sactown Royalty user AnotherStupidSN.
Welcome to the public eye, madam.
"Sometimes the capriciousness of youth anesthetizes common sense." -Let Geoff's words guide our patience this season.
by AnotherStupidSN on Mar 23, 2010 8:21 PM PDT reply actions
The first dirty comment.
Outstanding as usual ASSN.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I've got the actual text of her comments
If you rolled it through a pasta press, it still wouldn’t be this long!
I've got squirrels in my pants!
I remember when you only posted between the hours of 4:30 and 11 am.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
The longer I'm married, the more time I have at night to hang out with you foo's
I've got squirrels in my pants!
But no time to come to StR nights?
Haha
"Children want what they want when they want it." ... Andy Sims
I would guess that's on purpose.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
He doesn't like hanging out with us peasants
"Children want what they want when they want it." ... Andy Sims
In my case that's true. In yours it's not.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
You had your opportunity. You chose to visit family and take your child with you.
It’s not my fault you have priorities.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Next time
Unfortunately, mine is one of those families whose disposable income has been crunched by the local economy (I work for a commercial real estate company). Next year, I’m hoping to get to a few more games.
It definitely has to be when pookey’s in the house though…
I've got squirrels in my pants!
I'm hoping they schedule one of the Lakers games around the holidays
Like they did this year. I’d be a great time
"Children want what they want when they want it." ... Andy Sims
The computer does that. it's all really random.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
The schedule?
They do take into consideration the availability of the arenas and they do schedule some matchups on certain dates. Can’t say I know how it works exactly but I don’t think it’s all just a computer.
"Children want what they want when they want it." ... Andy Sims
Well yes I know.
Cleveland comes out West they’re going to have to play certain dates. They only come out to the Western Conference teams once a year.
But, the computer factors that in.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I’d run it through her pasta press…
"Sometimes the capriciousness of youth anesthetizes common sense." -Let Geoff's words guide our patience this season.
by AnotherStupidSN on Mar 23, 2010 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Best failed reply ever.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
It's actually funnier as its own post
"Children want what they want when they want it." ... Andy Sims
Very true.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Colon too hairy?
You need Kolokotronis. 2-3 sessions is usually all it takes.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
First, Ms. Matina Kolo... Koloko... Kolo... Not gonna work here anymore, anyway.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen.
by andy sims on Mar 23, 2010 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
Bad reply fail at that!
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I think this is a good thing
A question for the locals,if you were traveing south and wanted to catch the SA or Clips game in April how would you play it in terms of getting a motel?not having to deal with the parking lot?stub hub or just buy outside?
by southern oregon on Mar 23, 2010 10:17 PM PDT reply actions
I know that there is a Hampton Inn near the arena,
along with one or two others. You’re looking for motels in 95833, 95834, 95835 zip code.
Can’t help you on avoiding the parking lot – I pay the $10 for the honor of ARCO parking.
I have not noticed a lot of ticket activity outside the arena this year (it actually takes place outside the parking lot). Plenty of good seats available on line, but then you get hit with the stupid ticket charges.
Good luck!
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
It depends on what you want to pay for hotels SO.
There’s a Hampton Inn nearby to Arco (it’s West of the Arena), and there are other hotel options east of the arena as well on Northgate. There’s also other hotels around the area near Arco too.
As far as tickets, I’d walk up to the box office and buy them. They will be available. Dealing with the parking lot is 10 bucks, and the walk from the Hampton Inn is not a short one. It’s not like the Rose Garden (unfortunately).
You’ll find out how different Arco is from a place like the Rose Garden or Key Arena. It’s totally out in the middle of nowhere. I’m not even sure if it’s possible to walk up to it and how you could do it without walking through the parking lot. (I’ve always been given a ride or gone with someone with a car.)
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Great point regarding the box office
Agreed on the rest, too.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Didn't think about this until a minute ago or so
But is traffic usually bad these days? When I went out for STR 1 5 wasn’t bad (and neither was cap city—but that’s not germane to this conversation).
Anyway the point is that traffic is a lot worse in Portland than Sac (barring accidents). Keep that in mind too SO.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Traffic in and out of the arena is a breeze these days
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
It wasn't like it was before I know that. When I went there in 2004 with my Dad, we stayed awhile after the game to avoid the initial surge out of the parking lot.
5 years can change a lot of things.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Hell, I remember doing that back in the mid-90s
and the team wasn’t even good then. Times have changed.
I would be arriving about 4 or 5 and heading out in the morning
I can drive at night but would rather not any more than I have to
by southern oregon on Mar 23, 2010 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Well whatever you decide hope it works out for you.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I flew back from Detriot with
the sports anchor from Syracuse, New York, coming to SLC for the sweet 16. Had a fun couple of hours talking sports and writing. He was the last guy to interview Billy Martin (which clip is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame.) He also was the guy to break the story on the autistic boy whose coach let him play a couple of minutes in the finall HS basketball game of the year and the kid made seven three pointers in like five minutes. He told me the Maloofs called him after that broke and asked if he could edit it to run as a halftime special against the redacteds. He got it to them in time. A few days later he said a box showed up at his door. It was filled with authentic Kings jerseys, pictures, balls, towels, and all kinds of other Kings stuff for him and his photographer. He said the Maloofs are some of the classiest guys he has ever met. Glad to have them steering the ship.
"And I never said I don’t like KMart. I just don’t think the duo is good for the team. They are essentially two of the same player"
Sammyp831.
by SavageBeast on Mar 24, 2010 7:48 AM PDT reply actions 6 recs
That's awesome
"Sometimes the capriciousness of youth anesthetizes common sense." -Let Geoff's words guide our patience this season.
by AnotherStupidSN on Mar 24, 2010 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Nice story.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Josh Levien
I wonder if he will have more say in free agent player contracts, as being a former agent he might have a better idea in setting values for players. I think Petrie has overpaid for free agents in the past, Cisco, and Beno come to mind
Is Josh Levien Jason Levien's brother?
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Ailene's blog entry says Levien will be the point man on contracts
It’s effing weird referencing Ailene on these things.
"Sometimes the capriciousness of youth anesthetizes common sense." -Let Geoff's words guide our patience this season.
by AnotherStupidSN on Mar 24, 2010 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions
To make it easier...
maybe we should just refer to her as "the Chick Replacing Amick at the Paper. Or CRAP for short.
www.mancancook.net
by vfettke on Mar 24, 2010 11:59 AM PDT reply actions 7 recs
rec'd again
"And I never said I don’t like KMart. I just don’t think the duo is good for the team. They are essentially two of the same player"
Sammyp831.
Before those welcome developments, however, there had been internal talks of adding minority owners to help with the increasing strain.
Time to start a StR fund?
No.
That was probably before Jason Levien was hired, but perhaps over the summer too.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Nice! STR minority owners? I'm in.
For like $20 you gotta catch me during tax return time though
I love beating dead horses.
The Maloof's are lucky. When I take my John Thomas out..
I get arrested.
by avishai on Mar 24, 2010 3:11 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
LOL
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
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