We have not heard anything from the NBA regarding the potential sale of the Sacramento Kings to the Hansen-Ballmer group, that is until today when USAToday's Jeff Zillgitt provided the following quotes:

Stern on Kings/Seattle: "This will be decided by a committee of owners & NBA’s board of govenors w/the advice of me but not leading the way"

— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) January 11, 2013

David Stern said it was fair point from Kings fans who want Ron Burkle to have a shot at matching any offer in effort to keep team in SAC.

— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) January 11, 2013

I'd like a bit of context as to what the questions that got these responses were because it seems to insinuate a further progress on a sale to Seattle front than we have heard, although Stern may just be saying that if a sale comes to fruition, a committee would be in charge. This makes sense given Stern's pending retirement.

The fact that Stern says it is a fair point that Sacramento be given a chance to match any offer in order to keep the team in Sacramento is nice. We have a petition out there (that you should sign and share with your family/friends/everyone) to that effect.

Stern has led several NBA efforts to keep basketball in Sacramento and to try to get a new arena, only to be rebuffed by both bureaucratic incompetence (pre-KJ) and Maloofery (always and forever). Hopefully before his time as NBA commissioner is up, he can step up to the plate for the city of Sacramento one more time.