Stern says Kings can present a competitive offer

"Stern has already made it clear to Sacramento mayor and former NBA point guard Kevin Johnson will have a chance to present a counter-offer to the Board of Governors, though the timing is not yet known. What's more, a person with knowledge of the Maloofs' situation told USA TODAY Sports that it remains possible – depending on how the NBA handles the process going forward – they could sell to a Sacramento-based group if a competitive offer materialized."

http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/1853367

Johnson announces that 19 (now 20) locals are willing to purchase $1 million shares each for the team, which is more symbolic and a good argument for Sacramento than anything

http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2013/1/22/3905032/mayor-kevin-johnson-local-investors-19-million

https://mobile.twitter.com/Ryan_Lillis/status/293873493727137792

California Senate President pro Tem. targets Steve Balmer (lead investor for Seattle) in a letter

http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2013/1/22/3903864/fight-to-keep-kings-in-sacramento-gets-political

And, probably most importantly, the two most wealthy Sacramento buyers are teaming up.

http://www.cowbellkingdom.com/2013/01/22/reports-mark-mastrov-and-ron-burkle-discussing-joint-bid-to-purchase-sacramento-kings

Combine all of this with the fact that Sacramento councilors are all but guaranteed to approve the same arena deal again, AEG is on board still, the symbolic importance of having so much interest in general in keeping the Kings in Sacramento from so many separate sources, and that the hero we deserve AND need right now Kevin Johnson heads our plight, I resound with my Sacramento brethren: this is not over. Not even close.