New Arena - Voters Still Don't Support Public Financing?

by otis29 on May 5, 2006 10:46 AM PDT Comment 7 comments

[editor's note, by TZ] Again, from the diaries. You guys are just too good. I was going to post on this after reading the story this morning, but otis lays it out very nicely. I have a few doubts about the polling - the first being that it comes from Sac State. (Hey, I can joke - I'm an alum.) But seriously, the fact that the pollster doesn't think the team's rampant uncertainty and veritable mediocrity early in the season doesn't affect the results because the satisifieds and unsatisfieds both did not support the tax overwhelmingly - that's at least questionable. Anyways, it looks like we'll see soon enough. -TZ

Latest Polling on New Arena

The numbers look bad, and if anything, they are heading further south.

Not to detract from tonight's game, but this isssue is looking more and more serious as time elapses.

It's pretty clear that any ballot initiatives regarding public financing of a new stadium for the Kings are facing a severe uphill battle. In my opinion, the Kings are being hurt by four different issues - in no particular order:

The Palms Casino. If the Maloofs can build a casino, why can't they build a new arena?

Pac Bell, err...AT&T Park. A privately financed baseball stadium not 100 miles away. If the Giants ownership group could get it done, why can't the Maloofs?

The economy (and more specifically, gas prices). As much press as this "improved" economy gets, I'm not sure it's translating to your average Kings fan living in the Sacramento area. Pretty much anything that says "more taxes" might as well have Osama bin Laden's endorsement as well.

This would be the third arena for the Kings in their 20 or so years in the city.

Now, I disagree with pretty much all of these takes, but I'm one of those freaks that would happily pay a bit extra to keep the team in town.

I really think this arena argument needs to be sold as a combination public/private financing. Although it's risky, if I were the Maloof's I'd attempt to educate the community a bit more on the pure business side of things - that their love of the Kings can't prevent them from staying competetive within the business aspect of owning an NBA team.

The tough part is doing this without overtly threatening to leave. If they look to be strongarming the community, I doubt they can get even a combo-financed arena.

There's a great deal of nimbleness required during this process, which I think the Maloof's realize, as they continue to say all the right things. However, I hope the residents of the Sacramento area aren't deluding themselves thinking the Kings would not up and move if they continue to hit a brick wall regarding even the smallest bit of public financing.

It would be a travesty, but it's certainly not an impossibility.

(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)

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Sorry to step on your toes TZ

And your points are well taken on the polling - however, if I had to make a bet, I'd think the general sentiment is accurate.

Anecdotal evidence is worth about the price you pay for it, but about the only people I talk to in favor of public financing are hard-core Kings fans. Even the casual fans at my office are pretty ambivalent on the idea of a new arena.

Interestingly, it's possible the arena deal could tie into the Maloof's plans for next year's roster. Do you break the bank, resign Ron-Ron and Bonzi, make a serious run at a ring, and then test the public's mood? If they had pushed the Arena issue a few years back when the squad was looking like a perennial championship contender, would they be planning the groundbreaking now?

by otis29 on May 5, 2006 11:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Whoops

Obviously we don't need to resign Ron-Ron at this point. I should have said "retain".

by otis29 on May 5, 2006 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

More great points

Clearly, a championship-caliber team helps a lot in pitching public financing. But some cities are just against taxes more than others, and it's probably fair to say Sacramento is one of those.

The Maloofs' own public perception might be the biggest stumbling block, as you mention in the post. I can't imagine any ways they can fully overcome that... so it's probably best if they stay away from the situation as much as possible.

by Ziller on May 5, 2006 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs