Campaigning for the Kings: Sacramento vs. Seattle
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The purple, black and white RV looks more suited for transporting a politician during a campaign in California's capital city than for fans to use to petition fans outside an NBA arena.
"Fighting for our city, our fans and our Sacramento Kings," reads lettering across one side.
Dave Weiglein, best known around these parts as sports radio commentator Carmichael Dave, has been leading grass-roots efforts for more than two years to keep his city's only major professional sports team from leaving.
Once again, his latest plan could be his last.
Starting at Sacramento's 116-101 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, his "Playing To Win Tour" is scheduled to stop at games in around 20 NBA cities to campaign for Sacramento's cause. He also plans to stop in New York on April 3 - when league owners will allow a Sacramento group to discuss a counteroffer to a pending purchase agreement with a Seattle group - and circle back to Manhattan when the NBA Board of Governors meets April 18-19. That's when a vote is expected on the franchise's fate.
"This is all we have," Dave said. "I understand that we are not a destination city. Nobody wins the Showcase Showdown on The Price Is Right and gets an all-expenses paid trip to Sacramento. This is bigger than basketball."
As much as the NBA has tried to steer the conversation away from a tug-of-war between cities, there is no denying what this fight feels like for fans involved: Sacramento vs. Seattle.
While billionaires bid on both sides and public relations strategists mix messages, the most ardent fans are rallying for civic pride and economic prosperity. About the only certainty might be in the words of NBA Commissioner David Stern during February's address at the All-Star Game in Houston.
"I don't see any scenario," Stern said, "where both cities are happy."
All of this sounds so familiar in Seattle.
Back in 2008, Clay Bennett moved the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City, tossing aside the green and gold to transform the team into the Thunder. The move crushed Sonics fans, many of whom are still stunned that the team left after 41 years.
Jason Reid, who was raised in north Seattle, can recall the slams Sonics great Shawn Kemp threw down in dunk contests in the early 1990s. He graduated from high school during the Sonics' captivating run to the NBA Finals in 1996, won by Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in six games. Gary Payton was Reid's favorite player because "he didn't take (anything) from anyone and he brought it every night."
Those memories are all Reid has now.
Along with co-director Adam Brown, Reid chronicled the team's departure in the critically acclaimed documentary "Sonicsgate." The film ends with a quote from writer Sherman Alexie that speaks to the current Seattle sentiment.
"To get a team I'm going to have to break the hearts of people just like me," Alexie said. "And that's the only way we're ever going to get a team."
"The whole thing has been pretty bizarre for Sonics fans," Reid said. "On one side, we desperately want the Sonics back. It's everything we've been doing for the past 6½ years between trying to save the team, then trying to rally to bring a team back. At the same time, our wounds our very fresh. So we completely identify and sympathize with what Sacramento fans are going through right now. I think part of us, even though our end goals are opposing, are rooting for them as fans."
Sacramento supporters argue that some Seattle fans are perpetuating the system they had long protested against after the Sonics departed. The debate has raged on across social media since the Kings' pending sale agreement to a group that would move the team to Seattle was announced in January.
Dave called Seattle fans willing to take the Kings "hypocrites." He compared the effort to a divorced man stealing his best friend's wife and justifying it as "the only way I can get me a woman" after five years.
Even with those strong beliefs, he admits "if the Kings were to leave, the moment that another NBA team presented itself, you'll see me all over the place begging for that team and not caring about that city," Dave said.
The campaign for the Kings goes to the highest levels.
A Sacramento group called "Here We Buy" established a website to pledge to buy season tickets "to illustrate to the NBA that Sacramento is still a viable market, even in the face of adversity." Hedge-fund manager Chris Hansen, who along with Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer has the signed agreement with the Maloof family to buy the Kings, countered with "priority ticket waitlist" for his proposed Seattle arena as a way to show the NBA how much interest there is in bringing pro basketball back to the Emerald City.
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA All-Star, has been announcing details of a counteroffer and pushing a new arena plan, which includes the backing of 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov, billionaire grocery tycoon Ron Burkle and possibly others.
Think Big Sacramento, Johnson's task force, took the tussle even further earlier this month when it put out a report highlighting areas where Sacramento outperforms Seattle.
Among the contentions: Sacramento attracted more fans in 20 of the 23 seasons both cities had NBA teams. The NBA also would own a 100 percent market share in Sacramento, while the league would compete with the NFL (Seahawks), MLB (Mariners) and MLS (Sounders) in Seattle and possibly a future NHL team. According to the latest Nielsen ratings, the Seattle-Tacoma region is the 12th biggest television market in the country, while Sacramento-Modesto-Stockton ranks 20th.
David Carter, director of the Sports Business Institute at the University of Southern California, said all these efforts - whether by fans or professionals - might still be futile. He said the NBA will be focusing more on the long-term economic outlook, TV revenue and corporate contributions each city offers.
"I am not sure how much of a difference it will ultimately make if the business plan and strategy are sound and appear to deliver a profitable outcome, including the growing of franchise value," Carter said.
At this point, its hurts for either side to even imagine losing out.
While Dave recognizes his trip may have minimal impact on NBA owners, he refuses to rest at home while there's still a decision to be made.
"There is so much development and jobs in my city tied to this. If we lose this team, we lose the starting point," Dave said. "We are willing to go out and kill ourselves to show other cities and other owners that this is more than just our team. This is our livelihood."
"Fighting for our city, our fans and our Sacramento Kings," reads lettering across one side.
Dave Weiglein, best known around these parts as sports radio commentator Carmichael Dave, has been leading grass-roots efforts for more than two years to keep his city's only major professional sports team from leaving.
Once again, his latest plan could be his last.
Starting at Sacramento's 116-101 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, his "Playing To Win Tour" is scheduled to stop at games in around 20 NBA cities to campaign for Sacramento's cause. He also plans to stop in New York on April 3 - when league owners will allow a Sacramento group to discuss a counteroffer to a pending purchase agreement with a Seattle group - and circle back to Manhattan when the NBA Board of Governors meets April 18-19. That's when a vote is expected on the franchise's fate.
"This is all we have," Dave said. "I understand that we are not a destination city. Nobody wins the Showcase Showdown on The Price Is Right and gets an all-expenses paid trip to Sacramento. This is bigger than basketball."
As much as the NBA has tried to steer the conversation away from a tug-of-war between cities, there is no denying what this fight feels like for fans involved: Sacramento vs. Seattle.
While billionaires bid on both sides and public relations strategists mix messages, the most ardent fans are rallying for civic pride and economic prosperity. About the only certainty might be in the words of NBA Commissioner David Stern during February's address at the All-Star Game in Houston.
"I don't see any scenario," Stern said, "where both cities are happy."
All of this sounds so familiar in Seattle.
Back in 2008, Clay Bennett moved the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City, tossing aside the green and gold to transform the team into the Thunder. The move crushed Sonics fans, many of whom are still stunned that the team left after 41 years.
Jason Reid, who was raised in north Seattle, can recall the slams Sonics great Shawn Kemp threw down in dunk contests in the early 1990s. He graduated from high school during the Sonics' captivating run to the NBA Finals in 1996, won by Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in six games. Gary Payton was Reid's favorite player because "he didn't take (anything) from anyone and he brought it every night."
Those memories are all Reid has now.
Along with co-director Adam Brown, Reid chronicled the team's departure in the critically acclaimed documentary "Sonicsgate." The film ends with a quote from writer Sherman Alexie that speaks to the current Seattle sentiment.
"To get a team I'm going to have to break the hearts of people just like me," Alexie said. "And that's the only way we're ever going to get a team."
"The whole thing has been pretty bizarre for Sonics fans," Reid said. "On one side, we desperately want the Sonics back. It's everything we've been doing for the past 6½ years between trying to save the team, then trying to rally to bring a team back. At the same time, our wounds our very fresh. So we completely identify and sympathize with what Sacramento fans are going through right now. I think part of us, even though our end goals are opposing, are rooting for them as fans."
Sacramento supporters argue that some Seattle fans are perpetuating the system they had long protested against after the Sonics departed. The debate has raged on across social media since the Kings' pending sale agreement to a group that would move the team to Seattle was announced in January.
Dave called Seattle fans willing to take the Kings "hypocrites." He compared the effort to a divorced man stealing his best friend's wife and justifying it as "the only way I can get me a woman" after five years.
Even with those strong beliefs, he admits "if the Kings were to leave, the moment that another NBA team presented itself, you'll see me all over the place begging for that team and not caring about that city," Dave said.
The campaign for the Kings goes to the highest levels.
A Sacramento group called "Here We Buy" established a website to pledge to buy season tickets "to illustrate to the NBA that Sacramento is still a viable market, even in the face of adversity." Hedge-fund manager Chris Hansen, who along with Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer has the signed agreement with the Maloof family to buy the Kings, countered with "priority ticket waitlist" for his proposed Seattle arena as a way to show the NBA how much interest there is in bringing pro basketball back to the Emerald City.
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA All-Star, has been announcing details of a counteroffer and pushing a new arena plan, which includes the backing of 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov, billionaire grocery tycoon Ron Burkle and possibly others.
Think Big Sacramento, Johnson's task force, took the tussle even further earlier this month when it put out a report highlighting areas where Sacramento outperforms Seattle.
Among the contentions: Sacramento attracted more fans in 20 of the 23 seasons both cities had NBA teams. The NBA also would own a 100 percent market share in Sacramento, while the league would compete with the NFL (Seahawks), MLB (Mariners) and MLS (Sounders) in Seattle and possibly a future NHL team. According to the latest Nielsen ratings, the Seattle-Tacoma region is the 12th biggest television market in the country, while Sacramento-Modesto-Stockton ranks 20th.
David Carter, director of the Sports Business Institute at the University of Southern California, said all these efforts - whether by fans or professionals - might still be futile. He said the NBA will be focusing more on the long-term economic outlook, TV revenue and corporate contributions each city offers.
"I am not sure how much of a difference it will ultimately make if the business plan and strategy are sound and appear to deliver a profitable outcome, including the growing of franchise value," Carter said.
At this point, its hurts for either side to even imagine losing out.
While Dave recognizes his trip may have minimal impact on NBA owners, he refuses to rest at home while there's still a decision to be made.
"There is so much development and jobs in my city tied to this. If we lose this team, we lose the starting point," Dave said. "We are willing to go out and kill ourselves to show other cities and other owners that this is more than just our team. This is our livelihood."
cant wait for this story to go away.Â
I understand that most Sonic fans want a team back in Seattle to call their own, but bringing the Kings up here is kinda like kissing your sister and not the girl down the street. Bottom line it comes down to the standard bar level and northwest sports fan knows all to well its not set very high here...
@Windowseat Actually I don't think you understand at all. We want a team up here in Seattle. We have been clamoring for an expansion team.  Stern has stated multiple times that he will not authorize an expansion team and the only way for Seattle to get the Sonics back is to acquire an existing team.Â
The Kings have been for sale for several years. Sacramento has led efforts in the past to save the team only to see the owners back out. Seattle didn't start this, we have just come the farthest in what has become a spectacle and made the NBA a joke.Â
I don't think the NBA should have any definitive say in whether a city forms a sports team. What Clay Bennett did to the city of Seattle is horrible. What the NBA is doing to both Sacramento and Seattle is disgusting. If the owners want to sell that is their right as owners and the NBA shouldn't have to approve anything.Â
Bottom line, Stern is a greedy jerk who is trying to squeak every last drop he can out of two great cities. In the end it will be a futile effort for Sacramento though as Hansen and Ballmer have already signed an agreement with the Maloofs. You don't become a Billionaire by making stupid financial purchases. While  nothing has been stated publicly I can guarantee that lawyers were involved in this purchase and that there is an airtight, very detailed, binding contract in place. If anything interferes with the sale you can bet lawsuits for breech of contract will come flying out.Â
Both teams fans are left in the middle to suffer, while the NBA and the owners are laughing all the way to the bank.
This absurd game of musical chairs is a farce, and it's sad that many of you cannot see what's really going on here.
If the Kings move to Seattle it will only be a vindication of how the Sonics left and how they broke their contract here.
All cities will eventually lose and the NBA keeps laughing all the way to the bank.
@NW-Economist Its unfortunate but pro sports are all about the freaking money.. The nba league is so bad and oh so watered down.. i hope the Kings stay in sacramento..
If Kings stay the other owners get to profit share with them. If Kings stay Bennett gets to pay Seattle 30 million (not sure on this one). If Kings move the owners get to split the relocation fee. The BoG is made up of the owners.....hmmmm. Since we all know that this is all about money I'd say the decision has been made.
My opinion as if it means anything. I was a kid when the Sonics won the championship in 1979, it was one of the most exciting things to happen ever, I immediately went out in the driveway and shot baskets and even managed to collect a lifelong scar on my finger because I fell while driving to the hoop (yeah, I sucked at basketball). I watched the Sonics from then until they left, and never went to a game, but I loved watching them. Â
Now they are gone and we're trying to steal another team from another city where people have watched their team religiously and it seems like we want them to just give up their team? I would much rather have an expansion team than do the same thing to Sacramento that was done to us. Â
I don't want Sacramento's team, I want a Seattle team that will start as ours and not another cities throwaway team. I do want the arena built, but mostly because I would love to have an NHL team in Seattle and hopefully a basketball team in the future as well.  GO SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS!!!!!!
@Opethfan Obviously, getting an expansion team would be best.  However, the NBA has made it more than clear that expansion won't be happening any time soon.  Unfortunately, the NBA didn't leave Seattle much of a choice in that regard.
I dont know why people buy this garbage. Sacramento has ZERO chance of keeping the team. All of these other dealings; stern saying they have a chance to 'counter-offer' is just a way to keep attendance up before they leave for Seattle. Think about it. If you were Stern, what would you do? Let everything go and have attendance crash, thus costing the team (AND league) millions by having a franchise go half a season with 5000 fans attending games OR (what he has done) say Sacramento has a chance for a counter offer, thus ensuring fan support (increase attendance too) and 14000 tickets sold per game? Use your brains people. The team is as good as gone and you are a FOOL if you believe otherwise. Stern is feeding you lies and bs ONLY to keep the dollars rolling thru the end of the season. He's doing a very good job manipulating Sacramento's market!
Hey Sacramento keep'em.
You can't compare fan interest by looking at specific periods of attendance. You can look at the poor attendance and TV ratings of the Kings the last several years and easily point at the Maloofs tearing down the team and alienating the fans. You can do the same with the last decade of the Sonics in Seattle. Bennett didn't start the teardown, he escalated it. As a fan I remember taking an emotional hit when Kemp got traded, and when Payton and Karl left, and when we gave away a chunk of the team to get Patrick Ewing for a season at the end of his career. And after having relatively recently sunk money into Key Arena, and put public money into Safeco and Qwest suddently Sonics ownership started crying about a new arena. The alienation was there and the fans turned away. That is not a reflection of Seattle's NBA viability, that's a response to being ripped at repeatedly by ownership. People keep talking about Sacramento as a "one sport city" as if that's an advantage, but it's not. Seattle's multi-sport market is a benefit to all the teams in that market, it raises the overall value of the market. With the Sounders setting MLS attendance records and the NHL seriously looking here, the NBA does not want to be the only major sport not getting a chunk of that media revenue. OKC did not turn out to have the market value they had expected, in spite of the success of the Thunder, the league needs and wants back into this market.
I guess if it comes down to fan support, big monies and a city really wanting a team then Sacramento should win hands down, will be interesting to see which way the NBA goes on this deal.....
@Windowseat How do you come to that conclusion? This city supported the Sonics for 41 years and the if you simply use the attendance metric it is short-sided. We all know this is going to come down money and Seattle package is far superior to the one that Sacremento is still dreaming of. David Stern said as much within the last two weeks. With each owner getting a piece of a relocation fee and the market in Seattle being much more lucrative (not to mention adding the deep pockets of Steve Ballmer as an owner) this is not even a close race at this point. The skids are greased for the team to relocate to Seattle.
I guess most seattleites wern't alive when the original sonics became such a dismal failure.
@Klondiko I was alive in 1979 when they won a world championship. What dismal failure are you talking about? Are you referring to the fact that the team struggled in the seasons leading up to relocation to OKC because we had a moron for an owner that drove the team into the ground on purpose so he could make tens of millions of dollars on its sale? Or are you talking about the team that drafted Westbrook and Durant and played in the NBA finals last season?
@floggingnotblogging @Klondiko 34 years ago. What a memory. How about the team that couldn't even sell out little key arena?
Let them keep the Kings, we need a new expansion team so we can start fresh. The Kings suck anyway so we'd just have to rebuild as soon as they got here so why inherit a loosing team??? Â I'd rather start from scratch if were gonna build a team again here in Seattle.
@Seahawker That would be ideal! Unfortunately, the league has already made it clear expansion won't happen. They prefer the bidding war they will profit from.
KJ always had it in for Seattle, since he was dunked on savagely by Shawn Kemp, during a playoff game, where KJ was caught off guard tying his shoe.
2 cities fighting over 1 franchise. David Stern must be giggling himself to sleep every night.
@NBA_Is_Useless, Sac-Town is the one fighting to keep their team. A man who lives in California, representing Seattle interests, has an agreement to buy the Kings. I don't think he's even begun to fight because he hasn't needed to do so.
@StringerJoe---That has NoHTING TO DO WITH IT!!!!!!  Its all politics  you know, just like in Pacific.....???????
Taxpayer money does NOT belong in sports! No matter what happens i don't want one dollar of tax money spent to subsidize millionaire owners of ball clubs. We the people should not spend a dime so 60,000 people can watch a game live.
@32jim2 I am glad to hear you support the Seattle Arena deal then since it does NOT spend one dime of tax money on its construction like the Kingdome, Safeco, and Qwest did. A few things for you to consider, most owners are billionares and most NBA games top out at 20,000.
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@Sissy What would be criminal is for the city to not invest in private-public partnerships that drive tax revenue and the economy. And since this one does not involve any tax payer money being used and the city gets millions in tax revenue and ownership of the land and building at the end of the deal, it is an incredibly smart investment for the city.