But, I am.
Perhaps it is the timing of their announcement, just two weeks before our deadline date of March 1.
Why was it so important to announce this now? Couldn’t they have waited just a couple of weeks? What was their rush?

But an NBA team will cost upwards of $300 million. And the relocation fee will be another $30 to $50 million. That’s a lot of dough. I wish you guys the best though.

But if Sacramento comes up good on their side of the deal, there is no way the NBA is letting the Maloofs move the team. They’ll either be forced to sell to someone who will keep the team here, or they’ll have to fork over the money needed.

I’m not worried about Seattle at all. If anything, it just provides us Sacramentans with another rallying point, and something to point to to show that what we have is rare and coveted by many.

Particularly with the recent political maneuvering being done by parties on the council that could very easily derail the process, particularly if they ultimately try to get it to a public vote.

This “maneuvering” failed last week by a vote of 5-4. If the city council is going to use the parking as an asset, they have every right to do so without a public vote. The council needs a 5-4 vote to pass any other hurdle going forward.

2. Seattle is expecting to build an arena for 500 million, the tenant would be a separate issue and the cost would of course depend on who they buy, the Hornets, or the Kings.

First up, neither the Hornets or the Kings are for sale right now. Secondly, Hansen allegedly has pledged $500 million for both a stadium and a team, $300 of which was pledged to stadium today. $200 million doesn’t buy an NBA franchise.

3. While the Kings aren’t for sale, the Maloofs are also flat broke (for rich guys) and very well might entertain offers if Anaheim no longer seems viable and Sac falls through. Remember the plan in Sac is calling for them to cough up 85 million dollars. Do we know if they even have that kind of money left?

What the Maloofs have or don’t have is speculation. None of us know what their family bottom line is. But, lets say that they are cash strapped. Do you think that David Stern would prefer that Hansen, a gentleman who runs a $800 million Hedge fund who want to relocate the team, over giving Sacramento a chance to bring in an owner like billionaire Ron Burkle? If the Kings are for sale, Sacramento will have every chance to find a buyer, especially since the city owed $70+ million as part of the 1997 loan.

Again, if the Maloofs are cash strapped, it will cost someone upwards of $100 million just to get the franchise out of Sac ($70 mill owed to the city and $30 mill relocation).

the fact that they made a comment about property taxes. What the heck was that? They own the property how the heck are they going to collect property taxes? Furthermore, heck an arena doesn’t likely bring in enough revenue on it’s own for $200 million worth of bonds unless the tenant really likes not making money (on top of not making TV money already). The fact that the revenues “from the arena” are covering so much and they said property taxes (and I believe sales tax as well which is odd to mention too but not as odd) sure as heck sounds like a TIF. And no clue if that can even work there legally due to the referendum they passed there 6 years ago requiring a return on investments.

There certaintly is smoke I just don’t see the fire being more than a spark yet.

And frankly it should motivate people even more to make it happen than the threat of Anaheim even did. At least in Anaheim the “Royals” would have maintained the long history of the Royals/Kings/“Royals” franchise going back to Rochester. Whatever team goes to Seattle be it the Kings, Hornets, whomever is going to lose their entire history and have it replaced with the Sonics history.

I am concerned about the effect this could have upon the Maloofs and NBA in coming up with the money needed by Sacramento. It isn’t like the Maloofs have been highly motivated to remain here.

I don’t see this outside interference as being good news. I would much rather they let us work our deal out. If it falls through, then by all means let them have at it.

pretty sure the picture above here is one of the Sonicgate guys during the Nuggets/Thunder playoff series last year heckling the heck out of the Thunder players.

Losing the Kings would be brutal beyond belief. But I’d rather they go to Seattle where they’d be appreciated by a loyal, worthy fan base.

And wet. It rains a lot here.