Clock ticking on Sacramento's chance to keep NBA franchise
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SEATTLE --Time is running out for the city of Sacramento's scramble to reach an arena deal and possibly keep the Kings from moving to Seattle.
Those hoping to keep the kings in California are still optimistic, but each passing day without a deal makes Seattle's bid look better and better.
One of those optimists is John Shirey. He's the city manager for Sacramento.
"It doesn't look like I'm in negotiations at this moment, but we actually are," he said.
Shirey has been working with Mayor Kevin Johnson to prep a deal to build a new sports arena in downtown Sacramento. The city needs to hash out parking revenue and millions in financial help to boost the bid for the team.
It has failed in the past and Shirey wants to get it right.
"I'm pretty tired of playing this game every year," Shirey said.
The city council wants to vote on a deal on Tuesday to send a strong message to the NBA come April 3rd. That's when Sacramento and Seattle go head-to-head to make their cases to the league. A vote is expected in mid-April.
Those hoping to keep the kings in California are still optimistic, but each passing day without a deal makes Seattle's bid look better and better.
One of those optimists is John Shirey. He's the city manager for Sacramento.
"It doesn't look like I'm in negotiations at this moment, but we actually are," he said.
Shirey has been working with Mayor Kevin Johnson to prep a deal to build a new sports arena in downtown Sacramento. The city needs to hash out parking revenue and millions in financial help to boost the bid for the team.
It has failed in the past and Shirey wants to get it right.
"I'm pretty tired of playing this game every year," Shirey said.
The city council wants to vote on a deal on Tuesday to send a strong message to the NBA come April 3rd. That's when Sacramento and Seattle go head-to-head to make their cases to the league. A vote is expected in mid-April.
As I have stated before,Seattle does not deserve a team and I say the as a former ticket holder!
If Seattle wants to keep drinking the coffee they don't deserve a team.
Run Howard out of town and I'll be first in line.
I just wish we would get an expansion team and start fresh instead of inheriting a losing team. The Kings suck and I don't see how bringing  them here and changing their name will make them the Sonics we remember.  It's the same team no matter where they play. Another rebuilding team in Seattle is not what we need.
Just my opinion.Â
@Seahawker The Sonics sucked when they left for OKC. I'd rather have expansion but I'll take what's realistic. An expansion team would be far more of a rebuilding project. It wouldn't have IT and Cousins.
What's really sad, because I do feel for the Sacramento fans, is the fact they think Sac's been there 20-something years as one of the reasons the NBA shouldn't move them. Â
Our team that got stolen was here for 41 years and had never moved before, yet all but TWO owners voted for the move from its original base.
Not looking good, Sac. Â Your city is just one in a long line of cities
Just makes no sense to keep the team where it is. The deal with Hansen has been vetted, land has been purchased, arena plans released, even the initial set up for next year's season at the Key has already been planned out. Not to mention a $75 million relocation fee that is split between the owners and the increased valuation of NBA franchises for future negotiations. Add someone like a Steve Balmer to the mix (someone the NBA has been trying to get on board for years) and the move is a no-brainer. While I can appreciate the efforts Sacramento is going through, a last minute scramble for an arena that is more in the conceptual stages than anything else isn't going to sell the BoG.
I love that every time they show the kings playing in their arena, its like 25-30% full...
@Pikkon It was no different in Seattle in 2008. I was at a lot of those empty games. It's what happens when your team has been run into the ground and the fan base alienated.
They characterize this as a head to head or bidding war when in reality Hanson is the only one which a purchase agreement with the Maloof's. Â Even if they convince the NBA and owners to vote against the sale and move of the team they still have to work with the Maloof's to reach a deal.
Resistance is futile.
@mstipton All your bases are belong to us...
@Pierce Co Repub @mstipton WE GET SIGNAL
By By Sac. Hello Seattle!
All I ask is in the event that they lose, Sacramento doesn't decide to go all out and make a documentary called "Kingsgate." ;)
@Zoso & i would hope Seattle doesn't either..
@KFS @Zoso Been there; done that!
That being said, if I were on the BoG and I saw someone trying to promote their deal while saying, "It doesn't look like I'm in negotiations at this moment, but we actually are," doesn't instill much confidence in me that they'll even get it done.
The team needs to come here. Â I miss having a team! Â GO SONICS!