30Q: Will the Maloofs File for Relocation?
by Tom Ziller on Sep 25, 2010 1:02 PM PDT
in Arena
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PrintWe're asking 30 questions about the Kings' 2010-11 season.
Every training camp now, it seems, there's one devastating question hovering above the team like a cartoon anvil, ready to fall: will this be the Kings' final season in Sacramento?
In fact, this very question showed up in last season's preview series. Back then, it was an arena at Cal Expo that was on the table. The idea blew up in a bad way. Hell, before it was even officially dead Mayor Kevin Johnson was (re-)pitching the difficult idea of building the baby downtown. And we see how that has gone with yesterday's disappointing vote by the Cal Expo board.
Last year, the worried-optimistic spread was 52%-17% here at StR.
The Kings have until the end of February to decide whether to play the 2011-12 season in Sacramento, at (Unnamed) Arena, or to play in another town. We won't know until then if this is the final campaign for the Sacramento Kings ... unless, as they did the past two years, the Maloofs pledge they will not file for relocation.
We all of course hope that's what will happen, that the Maloofs will say that the speed of decision-making has increased and that they are confident Mayor KJ, the NBA and this developer or another can find a solution. Or they can take a wait-and-see approach. At this point, after more than a decade, after repeated failures to get something done by everyone involved, would you blame them if they threw their hands up and fled?
Same question as a year ago.
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I'm worried
Now that the Cal Expo deal seems to be falling apart, I’m afraid they’ll file for relocation soon.
"Too much awesome on my feet."-Brian Wilson
"Time for the laser show, boys!"- Aubrey Huff
All i have to say to Cal Expo is
……………./´¯/)
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…(‘(…………. ¯~/’..’)
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…..’[[COMMENT_CHILDREN_TOKEN]]#8217;……………_.·´
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by RekeHAVOC_13 on Sep 25, 2010 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
I'm worried and pissed off.
Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.
by Aykis16 on Sep 25, 2010 1:11 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Worried & a little bitter
While I dont think they will file for relocation, I do think this is the last year to get a new arena deal worked out. If we are the same same place this time next year, I think they will file for relocation.
Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal
That sounds about right to me
And I can’t say I’d blame them either.
Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.
I'm
Worried that we’ll have to watch Warriors games while the Kings are in Anaheim
seattle
Umm... I thought we were officially referring to Voison as the Chick Replacing Amick at the Paper? or CRAP, for short.
by sac_faithful on Sep 25, 2010 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions
This is where I think the Kings will end up too.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
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.....
Really?
Do they have a new arena that I missed? Seems like they’re in the same situation Sac is
by LPKingsFan on Sep 25, 2010 7:13 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
More money up here.
That’s the only reason. And it will take quite a few years too.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
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 choose to be optimistic
because the thought of the Kings leaving pisses me off. A lot of people don’t care about them, and think Sacramento won’t notice if they leave … but they WILL notice. Money wise, charity wise …. Sacramento will feel it.
by Dub_TC on Sep 25, 2010 1:28 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
This.
I’m half worried, half optimistic. If the Kings leave, I’ll seriously consider going to college around wherever they end up – my version of moving. I will be seriously upset if they leave Sac. But I’m also hoping that someone, somehow will find a solution and we’ll be able to get a new arena in or around Sac, and everyone will live happily ever after.
Personally, I’ll miss Arco even if we do get a new arena and everything is hunky-dory, just because it’s been there my whole life. But if the Kings leave, that’s huge.
It doesn't matter what I think I've found....
…because the Maloof’s will simply make a business decision here.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
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.....
There are 4 out of 37 people that need to get with the program
Umm... I thought we were officially referring to Voison as the Chick Replacing Amick at the Paper? or CRAP, for short.
The Maloofs can defuse all this very easily.
“In spite of the obstacles encountered as we attempt to partner with developers and the state of California in the development of the Railyards, revitalization of CalExpo, and construction of an entertainment and sports complex, the Kings will, unequivocally, be playing their 2011-2012 home games in Sacramento.”
September 27, 2010.
That fucking simple, just get it done, and let everybody get back to constructive endeavors.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen. And for a limited time, every third person who follows me on Twitter (andy_sims) gets a free ice cream cone.
Which I will eat.
by andy sims on Sep 25, 2010 1:41 PM PDT reply actions 5 recs
This is what should happen even if I don't think it will happen.
I sort of hope the Maloofs are there at media day on Monday so I can try throwing that 2011-12 question at them.
Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.
But why should they?
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~ Rogers Hornsby
Because being silly with no constructive purpose is loads more fun.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
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.....
Pissed off
Born and raised here, but getting more and more tired of the politics of California. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that it would be substantially better anywhere else.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Sep 25, 2010 2:54 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Agree about pissed off, but...
Worst case scenario, the Maloofs could trade the Natomas land for the Railyards property, plus forgiveness of the loan they have from the city. Then, they could develop an entertainment and retail complex and keep every dime in profit.
That would require a commitment on their part that has only been shown to Las Vegas thus far. I am not at all putting the state of the current situation on the the family, I am only making the point that there are alternatives, and the least they can do is be more demonstrative in their commitment to Sacramento. It’s not the city that’s screwing up the process, and I think the Maloofs know that.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen. And for a limited time, every third person who follows me on Twitter (andy_sims) gets a free ice cream cone.
Which I will eat.
by andy sims on Sep 25, 2010 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
My understanding of the land swap proposal is that the current Cal Expo land was the key to getting the major financing on board
because the desirability of that land for development was enough incentive to put up a ton of money for the whole thing. Last time I was in Natomas, there was a damn lot of never-been-used office space and aborted housing developments. They built that area out way too fast, and I can’t see anyone being very motivated to build anything else out there for a while (unless it was a destination in itself, like the fairgrounds or theme park ideas).
"If you're going to lead the orchestra, you have to turn your back on the audience." -Geoff Petrie
by AnotherStupidSN on Sep 25, 2010 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Government officials suck everywhere.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
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.....
by pookeyguru on Sep 26, 2010 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Attendance
If the Kings can fill ARCO this season to a reasonable level (no, I don’t know what that number is) than they stand a fighting chance of staying. Last season the Kings averaged 76.5% of capacity seats filled.
I will link last season’s attendance numbers here. Sacramento is the second to last team in overall attendance. Even if you turn the numbers towards fill rate % they are still third to last. On the other side, take a look at Orlando. They sold out every home game (fill rate 100%) but as they have a facility with just 17,461 seats they rank 17th overall. ARCO is slightly smaller at 17,371 which would rank them 18th if they sold out every home game. (interestingly, the Kings ranked 15th in away game % rankings).
In a small market, the gate receipts weigh much heavier. If the Kings can’t bolster their gate receipts this season even with all of the aggressive marketing they now employ they will have no choice but to seek a more favorable business model. Finding that alternative model may not be as easy as one might think but that is a discussion for another time.
by betweentheeyes on Sep 25, 2010 2:59 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I have a feeling the arena will be fuller this year with more excitement
and the variable price ticketing.
Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.
will it be good enough?
or is “good enough” even attainable?
by betweentheeyes on Sep 25, 2010 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions
There will be a time where the NBA just says to Sac "fuck you" and force a move.
There is so only so much of this David Stern & the NBA business model (made up of owners) will tolerate.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
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.....
by pookeyguru on Sep 25, 2010 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
PG I have missed your eloquence
I agree with you that the NBA will support any decision to move and perhaps “grease the wheels” if that is the desire/need of the franchise. Money walks …and all that. The NBA as with all other professional sports teams are a business not a charity.
by betweentheeyes on Sep 25, 2010 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions
When you combine the political nonsense that surrounds the arena in the Sacramento region (and I stress region)
…..it makes it even more difficult. This was always a difficult project that would see more failure than success. On the other hand, that’s usually how arena’s have been built in the past too in “better” economic times.
Thanks bte.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
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.....
Successful business are almost always about seeking greener pastures
Finding those pastures is the tough part. And like all pastures, they are often littered with cow cakes.Unfortunately for Sacramento, the label of cowtown may be a little too apt.
For the Kings – they came here with the understanding that they are the vagabonds of the NBA, the Quentin Richardson of basketball franchises. The Liz Taylor of teams. They aren’t gone, but Mom and Dad are arguing a lot lately and the kids are restless. We hope they stay, we want them both to be happy and get along, but if the money runs dry today’s bickering will result in a new mate and some sad step children.
by betweentheeyes on Sep 25, 2010 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Of course.
Successful business models find ways to make money regardless of what’s going on. Otherwise, it’s not a successful business model.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
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.....
Meh
Successful businesses make money by offering a good product at a fair price, resulting in repeat business. The Maloofs make money, even losing 57 games.
The NBA is not a successful business. The NBA is simply a monopoly.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen. And for a limited time, every third person who follows me on Twitter (andy_sims) gets a free ice cream cone.
Which I will eat.
by andy sims on Sep 25, 2010 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
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.....
Agree 100%
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~ Rogers Hornsby
Still optimistic
First off, the Kings owe money to the league already, and they have a loan from the city. The mayor and the city council allowed the Kings some lea way to repay the NBA loan first. Which means the city is willing to work with the Kings even if the Expo Board isn’t.
So, the Kings have to repay the loan to the NBA, repay the loan to the City and pay a $30M fee to relocate. Not happening. At least not any time soon. Which should give the powers that be time to work out some type of arrangement that would allow the city to make the new Sports and Entertainment Center the center piece of the new railyard redevelopment project.
Besides the Expo Directors serve a 4 yr term, and 9 of the 11 are appointed by the govenor. So, maybe the next crop will be more favorable. Especially if Kevin Johnson can bring in the vote, for the next govenor.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy
by HighTops on Sep 25, 2010 3:41 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Good points.
"If you're going to lead the orchestra, you have to turn your back on the audience." -Geoff Petrie
by AnotherStupidSN on Sep 25, 2010 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Unless a sports starved city
is willing to assist a team like the Kings looking to relocate in paying off those loans. Also, I’m sure the NBA would be more flexible with one of it’s franchises if it means getting them into a more profitable region of the country.
Bottom-line is that California going down in Titanic proportions and no amount of finger plugs is going to prevent it from happening.
Most sports starved cities don't have a new arena laying around unused.
and no way the other 29 owners or a government entity is giving two millionaire brothers $130M just so they can move to a new arena and make more money.
Bottom-line is if the Kings continue to make money here, there is no need to move. The grass is alway greener, but with the level of support that they have received recently, the gamble would be too great to pick up and try elsewhere until all avenues have been exhausted.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy
by HighTops on Sep 25, 2010 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
This is my hope I admit.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
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.....
San Jose Kings?
Would anyone have a problem with that? I really don’t mind as much if they move to a near by location like San Jose, but moving across the country would mean I would never get to see my kings.
Question for everyone, if they do move will you still be a fan, or will you switch to the warriors?(I like to think I will always be one, but you never know)
I suppose that the Warriors would have a major problem with it
Would the Kings be ready and willing to pay 10’s of millions of dollars to the Dubs for infringing on Golden State’s territory? Same question as it pertains to Anaheim, squared (the arena in Anaheim is 35 miles away from Staples and the L*kers/Clips).
And for me, if/when the Kings leave Sac, I’m done with them, and likely the entire NBA as well.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
And that means going back to tearing out your hair over Brian Sabean's infatuation with peanut butter celery sticks.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
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 just can't see San Jose or Anaheim as realistic destinations...
With the Warriors in the Bay Area and the Clipper/Lakers in So Cal, it’s just not the wisest move, and it doesn’t stop the main problem the Kings are facing…CALIFORNIA POLITICS. I mean if it’s JUST the city of Sacramento then go to Placer or El Dorado County…but it goes beyond that. It’s the entire state as a whole.
I think Seattle, Kansas City, Boise, Louisville, maybe(doubtful) but MAYBE Las Vegas as a dark horse with some serious arm twisting by the $tern and the Maloofs there.
Vegas recently decided to not build an Arena
Those Casino owners know where they want people to spend thier $$.
It’s also highly, extremely doubtful the NBA wants a team in that town. Stern made that comment publically once I believe after the All-Star game problems.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Sep 27, 2010 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
They move anywhere outside the county farther than West Sacramento, and I'll never watch another NBA game
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen. And for a limited time, every third person who follows me on Twitter (andy_sims) gets a free ice cream cone.
Which I will eat.
What if they get something done in Folsom?
by VenomySnicket on Sep 25, 2010 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Now I'd be down for this!
Although I couldn’t imagine where. Probably have to be on the other side of 50
Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.
I was kind of hoping for
The Solano County Kings!. I think it has a nice ring to it.
by betweentheeyes on Sep 26, 2010 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Folsom is in the county.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen. And for a limited time, every third person who follows me on Twitter (andy_sims) gets a free ice cream cone.
Which I will eat.
For me
I love the kings for the city they represent. If they move anywhere else, they’d be repin another city. I’d be devastated/pissed off and likely done.
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"If cats looked like frogs, we’d realize what nasty, cruel little bastards they are. Style. That’s what people remember." —Terry Pratchett
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The problem with San Jose
Is that the area is in the Warriors territory and would require another $50 mil paid to them. So, that’s an additional moving expense that doesn’t seem to add up. Does thier new owner want that competition in his backyard? Does he need the money after paying too much for the Warriors?
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Sep 27, 2010 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm worried too....
I really hope Kamilos and Mayor KJ can come up with a solid plan. This arena really needs to get done.
I'm not sitting in your car, or your living room with a gun pointed to your head telling you to listen to 1140. - Grant Napear
Renovate !!!???
Intesting blurb on the front page of the Bee this morning from KJ about renovating the current ARCO.
Develope the adjacent 100 acres and renovate the current site? It’s better than nothing.
Can’t see being able to do it in one off season so where would they play? Stockton?
Why couldn't you renovate it?
I mean, the DAY AFTER the season(we’re not making the playoffs this year) get stared. Get 3 work crews working around the clock each day until it is finished. That Gives you until the end of April all the way to the beginning of November. In fact you might be able to even get a little assistance from the league to buy a couple extra weeks and go out on a 6 game road trip to start the season.
That gives you roughly. 6-7 months to renovate that place. With 3 crews working around the clock, that’s be equivalent to 18-21 months worth of work done. That should be sufficient amount of time to get it done.
The shell of the building is too small
Unlike some others (Warriors, Detroit), the building is just too small for renovations to do much good. Throwing money at the wind.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Sep 27, 2010 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions
If attendance doesn't improve, they could just play at Memorial.
"If you're going to lead the orchestra, you have to turn your back on the audience." -Geoff Petrie
by AnotherStupidSN on Sep 25, 2010 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Or at the Folsom Sports Complex
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~ Rogers Hornsby
The players would have to pay 10 bucks an hour for the games though.
Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.
by Aykis16 on Sep 26, 2010 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sacramento's climate and region is just superb
It’s too bad the city planners are as myopic as Mr. Magoo.
Worried for the wrong reasons
I’m worried about them moving, but mostly due to all the talk about it. Then i just think about it more logically from the stance of the Maloofs, and I’m having trouble seeing where and how that they would move.
No other city (except for Vegas) has even been talked about as a possible destination for the Kings, and almost all other cities are hurting for money across the country (obviously few quite as bad as Sacramento, but still…). I see an energized and enthusiastic fanbase for the Kings organization that hasn’t been there in years, and as long as no other city has money to throw around and a fanbase like OKC did a couple years back, theres no reason for the Maloofs to move.
The Maloofs went through the best years in Kings basketball ever, and that only just ended. Teams would be moving every 5-10 years if they reacted so sensitively to attendance as many would believe.
The bottom line is whether they are losing money. With all the salary cuts and fan expectations of higher ticket sales, I see no reason why this season wont be kind to the Kings organization. Obviously the city and state arent entirely on board with helping them get what they want (a new arena), but what city could right now?
poor kings fans!
Well, it seems pretty inevitable that the kings will relocate. The people I feel sorry for are the fans, especially the children! The Kings are such an integral part of the community! In addition this will be a huge revenue loss to the city as a whole. Why must Sacramento be so digressive and antiquated in thought? The people running the city appear to be very narrow minded and stuck on keeping Sacramento behind the times. What a shame. It’s going to be a sad day in Sac when the Kings leave (probably by 2011-12 season). But since I just relocated to O.C., I hope Anaheim will be their new home. Then the Maloofs could combine Kings action w/ Skateboarding activities. But yeah, let’s face it…. no arena, no team in Sac. The city has made their decision.
by Kaylee19 on Sep 26, 2010 9:09 PM PDT reply actions
Welcome to the site!
Now, eat our collective ass.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen. And for a limited time, every third person who follows me on Twitter (andy_sims) gets a free ice cream cone.
Which I will eat.
by andy sims on Sep 26, 2010 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
I understand your frustration :D
I’m so sorry the Kings are probably going to move. It really is a sad situation! But i’m just saying….if they do move, I’d totally welcome them with open arms in OC :)
by Kaylee19 on Sep 27, 2010 1:14 AM PDT up reply actions
And I understand why you picked a female handle, dude.
You aren’t the first to do this, and you’re more boring than most.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen. And for a limited time, every third person who follows me on Twitter (andy_sims) gets a free ice cream cone.
Which I will eat.
omg, what kind of al bundy forum is THIS?
ok, I am seriously not logging in to Sactown Royalty anymore!!! It’s like a whirlpool of Al Bundys! Although I’m sure you guys can’t help but to belittle other people if you live in Sac and all…and to be on the verge of losing the one aspect that gives the city a heartbeat. Actually, I feel quite sorry for you :) Anyway, good luck with the Kings. I really do hope Sac can figure out a way to keep them ;) Most King’s fans are actually sweet people. What is UP with THIS forum? I’m out.
by Kaylee19 on Sep 28, 2010 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
One guy responds to you and you paint the rest of the members with the same brush?
With that attitude, you’re making the right choice.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
worried
I am worried, too. I don’t want the Kings to leave Sac.
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