SuperSonics one step away from returning to Seattle
SEATTLE (AP) - Nearly five years after their colors, banners and history were packed away into storage and their franchise relocated, the SuperSonics are one significant step closer to returning to Seattle.
And the Kings are on the edge of leaving Sacramento.
All that appears to stand in the way now is approval by NBA owners.
The Maloof family has agreed to sell the Kings to a Seattle group led by investor Chris Hansen, the league confirmed in a statement Monday morning. The deal is still pending a vote by the NBA Board of Governors.
A person familiar with the decision said that Hansen's group will buy 65 percent of the franchise, which is valued at $525 million, and move the team to Seattle and restore the SuperSonics name. The deal will cost the Hansen group a little more than $340 million. The Maloofs will have no stake in the team.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was waiting approval.
The sale figure works off a total valuation of the franchise, which includes relocation fees. Hansen's group also is hoping to buy out other minority investors.
The Maloofs will get a $30 million non-refundable down payment by Feb. 1, according to the deal, the person said. They will still be allowed to receive other offers until the league approves the sale. The Kings sale price of $525 million would surpass the NBA record $450 million the Golden State Warriors sold for in 2010.
The plan by Hansen's group is to have the team play at least the next two seasons in KeyArena before moving into a new facility in downtown Seattle. The deadline for teams to apply for a move for next season is March 1. The office of Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn confirmed Monday it is already working with Hansen on an agreement for using KeyArena, including scheduling and short-term upgrades to the arena.
"While we are not at liberty to discuss the terms of the transaction or our plans for the franchise given the confidential nature of the agreement and NBA regulations regarding public comments during a pending transaction, we would just like to extend our sincerest compliments and gratitude toward the Maloof family," Hansen said in a statement. "Our negotiations with the family were handled with the utmost honor and professionalism and we hope to continue their legacy and be great stewards of this NBA franchise in the coming years and decades."
Hansen was not available for further comment.
Momentum was building toward a sale agreement after word of talks between Hansen and the Maloofs leaked nearly two weeks ago. Sacramento will get its chance to counter with Mayor Kevin Johnson already receiving permission from NBA Commissioner David Stern to present a counteroffer to league owners from buyers who would keep the Kings in Sacramento.
Johnson, a former NBA All-Star point guard, said in a statement that the city remained undeterred.
"Sacramento has proven that it is a strong NBA market with a fan base that year in and year out has demonstrated a commitment to the Kings by selling out 19 of 27 seasons in a top-20 market and owning two of the longest sellout streaks in NBA history," Johnson said.
Yet Johnson will be fighting an uphill challenge trying to pull together an ownership group in a small window of time while Seattle begins preparing for the return of the green and gold.
The SuperSonics became a historic footnote when owner Clay Bennett moved the franchise to Oklahoma City in 2008. It was the conclusion of a contentious two years of lawsuits, broken leases, negotiations and ultimately a settlement that allowed 41 years of pro basketball history in Seattle to be moved away.
While Seattle was excited about Monday's news, there was an air of caution as well, with many fans still stung about the Sonics previous departure not wanting to believe in their return until everything is signed and delivered. Others in Seattle have wanted an expansion franchise rather than taking a team from another city.
"It tore the hearts out of the city when the (team) left the first time and it's just wonderful news to get a team back," said Jerry Brown, who was at KeyArena Monday buying college basketball tickets. "I feel sorry for the people of Sacramento, they have good fans there, but we want our team back."
Ironically enough, it will be Bennett that has a say in whether Seattle returns to the NBA portfolio as the head of the league's relocation committee.
Caught in an awkward spot is the Kings' basketball team itself, some of whom have Seattle ties. Guard Isaiah Thomas grew up in Tacoma, Wash., and before the Kings played in New Orleans on Monday was already feeling the discomfort of being wedged between two cities.
"It's just a little weird (but) at the same time I love Sacramento, I love everything about it. Love the fans, the organization just brought me in with open arms. That's all I really know in this league is Sacramento," Thomas said. "But then I am from that area back home, it's just kind of a different situation. Whatever I say about Seattle, Sacramento fans might be mad at me and whatever I say about Sacramento, Seattle fans might be mad at me. I just love both cities.
"It's out of my control."
The saga of the Kings' future in California's Capitol city has dragged on for nearly three years and now faces its most daunting challenge.
Hansen, a Seattle native and San Francisco-based investor, reached agreement with local governments in Seattle last October on plans to build a $490 million NBA/NHL arena near the city's other stadiums, CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field. No construction will begin until all environmental reviews are completed and a team has been secured. The arena also faces a pair of lawsuits, including one from a dock workers union because the arena is being built close to port and industrial operations.
Hansen's group is expected to pitch in $290 million in private investment toward the arena, along with helping to pay for transportation improvements in the area around the stadiums. The remaining $200 million in public financing would be paid back with rent money and admissions taxes from the arena, and if that money falls short, Hansen would be responsible for making up the rest.
Other investors in the proposed arena include Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer and two members of the Nordstrom department store family.
"While there is more work ahead, this is a major step toward bringing the Sonics home," McGinn said.
Sacramento fans hope this is not the final chapter in their quest to save the Kings. Johnson has once already saved the Kings from relocation when he made a pitch to the Board of Governors and bought the city time to broker a deal that appeared to solve the team's arena woes. But the Maloofs backed out of that tentative $391 million deal for a new downtown venue with Sacramento last year.
Already, Johnson and other politicians have started wrangling for the Kings again.
California state Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, a Sacramento Democrat, wrote a letter to state officials dated Tuesday - and released to several news outlets - asking them to detail how much money Ballmer's Microsoft company earns on state contracts.
"I cannot stand idly by while a prominent out-of-state company that has significantly profited from business with the State of California actively attempts to acquire and remove one of my State and region's leading private assets," he wrote in the letter to Fred Klass, director of the state Department of General Services.
Johnson said recently he's heard from various parties interested in trying to put together an ownership group that would keep the team in Sacramento, but only with a new arena. He is expected to unveil more about his plans as early as Tuesday.
"We have always appreciated and treasured our ownership of the Kings and have had a great admiration for the fans and our team members. We would also like to thank Chris Hansen for his professionalism during our negotiation. Chris will be a great steward for the franchise," Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said in a statement on behalf of the family.
And the Kings are on the edge of leaving Sacramento.
All that appears to stand in the way now is approval by NBA owners.
The Maloof family has agreed to sell the Kings to a Seattle group led by investor Chris Hansen, the league confirmed in a statement Monday morning. The deal is still pending a vote by the NBA Board of Governors.
A person familiar with the decision said that Hansen's group will buy 65 percent of the franchise, which is valued at $525 million, and move the team to Seattle and restore the SuperSonics name. The deal will cost the Hansen group a little more than $340 million. The Maloofs will have no stake in the team.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was waiting approval.
The sale figure works off a total valuation of the franchise, which includes relocation fees. Hansen's group also is hoping to buy out other minority investors.
The Maloofs will get a $30 million non-refundable down payment by Feb. 1, according to the deal, the person said. They will still be allowed to receive other offers until the league approves the sale. The Kings sale price of $525 million would surpass the NBA record $450 million the Golden State Warriors sold for in 2010.
The plan by Hansen's group is to have the team play at least the next two seasons in KeyArena before moving into a new facility in downtown Seattle. The deadline for teams to apply for a move for next season is March 1. The office of Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn confirmed Monday it is already working with Hansen on an agreement for using KeyArena, including scheduling and short-term upgrades to the arena.
"While we are not at liberty to discuss the terms of the transaction or our plans for the franchise given the confidential nature of the agreement and NBA regulations regarding public comments during a pending transaction, we would just like to extend our sincerest compliments and gratitude toward the Maloof family," Hansen said in a statement. "Our negotiations with the family were handled with the utmost honor and professionalism and we hope to continue their legacy and be great stewards of this NBA franchise in the coming years and decades."
Hansen was not available for further comment.
Momentum was building toward a sale agreement after word of talks between Hansen and the Maloofs leaked nearly two weeks ago. Sacramento will get its chance to counter with Mayor Kevin Johnson already receiving permission from NBA Commissioner David Stern to present a counteroffer to league owners from buyers who would keep the Kings in Sacramento.
Johnson, a former NBA All-Star point guard, said in a statement that the city remained undeterred.
"Sacramento has proven that it is a strong NBA market with a fan base that year in and year out has demonstrated a commitment to the Kings by selling out 19 of 27 seasons in a top-20 market and owning two of the longest sellout streaks in NBA history," Johnson said.
Yet Johnson will be fighting an uphill challenge trying to pull together an ownership group in a small window of time while Seattle begins preparing for the return of the green and gold.
The SuperSonics became a historic footnote when owner Clay Bennett moved the franchise to Oklahoma City in 2008. It was the conclusion of a contentious two years of lawsuits, broken leases, negotiations and ultimately a settlement that allowed 41 years of pro basketball history in Seattle to be moved away.
While Seattle was excited about Monday's news, there was an air of caution as well, with many fans still stung about the Sonics previous departure not wanting to believe in their return until everything is signed and delivered. Others in Seattle have wanted an expansion franchise rather than taking a team from another city.
"It tore the hearts out of the city when the (team) left the first time and it's just wonderful news to get a team back," said Jerry Brown, who was at KeyArena Monday buying college basketball tickets. "I feel sorry for the people of Sacramento, they have good fans there, but we want our team back."
Ironically enough, it will be Bennett that has a say in whether Seattle returns to the NBA portfolio as the head of the league's relocation committee.
Caught in an awkward spot is the Kings' basketball team itself, some of whom have Seattle ties. Guard Isaiah Thomas grew up in Tacoma, Wash., and before the Kings played in New Orleans on Monday was already feeling the discomfort of being wedged between two cities.
"It's just a little weird (but) at the same time I love Sacramento, I love everything about it. Love the fans, the organization just brought me in with open arms. That's all I really know in this league is Sacramento," Thomas said. "But then I am from that area back home, it's just kind of a different situation. Whatever I say about Seattle, Sacramento fans might be mad at me and whatever I say about Sacramento, Seattle fans might be mad at me. I just love both cities.
"It's out of my control."
The saga of the Kings' future in California's Capitol city has dragged on for nearly three years and now faces its most daunting challenge.
Hansen, a Seattle native and San Francisco-based investor, reached agreement with local governments in Seattle last October on plans to build a $490 million NBA/NHL arena near the city's other stadiums, CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field. No construction will begin until all environmental reviews are completed and a team has been secured. The arena also faces a pair of lawsuits, including one from a dock workers union because the arena is being built close to port and industrial operations.
Hansen's group is expected to pitch in $290 million in private investment toward the arena, along with helping to pay for transportation improvements in the area around the stadiums. The remaining $200 million in public financing would be paid back with rent money and admissions taxes from the arena, and if that money falls short, Hansen would be responsible for making up the rest.
Other investors in the proposed arena include Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer and two members of the Nordstrom department store family.
"While there is more work ahead, this is a major step toward bringing the Sonics home," McGinn said.
Sacramento fans hope this is not the final chapter in their quest to save the Kings. Johnson has once already saved the Kings from relocation when he made a pitch to the Board of Governors and bought the city time to broker a deal that appeared to solve the team's arena woes. But the Maloofs backed out of that tentative $391 million deal for a new downtown venue with Sacramento last year.
Already, Johnson and other politicians have started wrangling for the Kings again.
California state Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, a Sacramento Democrat, wrote a letter to state officials dated Tuesday - and released to several news outlets - asking them to detail how much money Ballmer's Microsoft company earns on state contracts.
"I cannot stand idly by while a prominent out-of-state company that has significantly profited from business with the State of California actively attempts to acquire and remove one of my State and region's leading private assets," he wrote in the letter to Fred Klass, director of the state Department of General Services.
Johnson said recently he's heard from various parties interested in trying to put together an ownership group that would keep the team in Sacramento, but only with a new arena. He is expected to unveil more about his plans as early as Tuesday.
"We have always appreciated and treasured our ownership of the Kings and have had a great admiration for the fans and our team members. We would also like to thank Chris Hansen for his professionalism during our negotiation. Chris will be a great steward for the franchise," Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said in a statement on behalf of the family.
so the pres pro tem of the california legislature is threatening one of the investors in the deal. go figure.
the sonics are now the thunder. Â let's get over it and move on. Â why would we want clay bennet's now tainted 1979 champion banners and trophies from a crappy team that hasn't been able to win a championship that anyone other than old men in polyester suits can remember. Â if you have a dog and it dies, re-naming your new puppy the same name as your last dog is just messed up. Â the kings are the kings. Â embrace them and welcome in to seattle the new KING COUNTY KINGS!!
Too bad they won't call the Key Arena their permanent home. I live on Capitol Hill and there is a 0% chance that I'll even fight my way to SoDo in a car. And light rail connecting the Seattle neighborhoods is years away.
Â
@lakeview Bus to westlake and tunnel bus to sodo. Easy.
This is so stupid. The sonics are NOT returning. They are being replaced with a team that is going to be renamed.
 @Stryker There is no loyalty to the Kings name. It used to be Kansas City's team before relocation to Sacramento.
 @Bubbabear64 If the Kings move here, it will be their 6th home!Â
 @lakeview That's what I have heard. It went from Rochester, to Cincinnati before it moved to Kansas City in the 1970s. Even when they were with Kansas City they were playing games in Omaha as well. This team has been moved around because of trying to fit it into small markets or big markets.
 @Stryker Pssst... we know that! Duh!
Meanwhile, something worth reporting about happened.
 @Bornhere Whether it was worth reporting or not, it's obviously worth you reading and posting!
Does anyone think it poor judgment on the part of Mr. Hansen to purchase the 3rd worst team in the NBA? No matter, the Kings say that they are 'used to loosing', so here they come! LOL
 @JT1958 I got a better question for ya. How bad were the Sonics in the last season? Now... how good were the Thunder starting their second season? Ya understand now?
 @Zoso Kevin Durant will do that. And don't forget who drafted him.Â
 @lakeview Damn right! I'm sure he still remembers that loud and clearly as well.
 @JT1958 It can turn around, just look at the 2007-2008 NBA standings, The worst team with a whopping 17 wins was Miami, 2nd worse was Seattle win 20 wins.  Basically both teams that just played in the finals.
As a long time Sonics fan I think the 5-year absence of the team will turn out to be the best thing that could have happened to basketball in Seattle. You can't look only at the end of the Sonics time in Seattle in saying the city NEVER supported them. The team under Schultz made some poor choices and let the performance crumble. Personally it took me a while to recover from the Payton/Allen trade, then the sale to an owner who didn't seem to want to keep the team around, it alienated the fans. Bennett pushed for an arena deal that was unrealistic at the time and he knew it. Now we get new energized owners who seem willing to put money into the team, a team that has a lot of room to maneuver under the salary cap, and if someone can settle-down Cousins we have a franchise center a new team can be built around. We can't cry that the success of the Thunder would be happening here if the team had stayed. With the exception of Durant, the team is a reflection of the people Bennett put together to run that show, just as in 2 or 3 years the new Sonics will look little like the current Kings.
Can't wait for the first game with OK.
 @dkgiovenco Oh man, we're out for blood! We're gonna kick their asses since we have some old debts to settle! ;)
 @Zoso "we're" ? I assume you will be on the court, ball in hand?
I can't figure out why anyone in Seattle thinks they deserve another Basketball team as they let the first team go. But I still can't figure out how there can be over 400 Starbucks location in Seattle either after what they did to the Sonics
 @Working Stiff I dare you to educate yourself, watch the Sonicsgate documentary, and actually say that! I tell ya, you can't without looking like a complete idiot.
 @Working Stiff Do your research. Seattle didn't let their team go, it was taken by Clay Bennett and his cronies who had that plan all along. Bennett and company orchestrated the move the moment he bought the Sonics. Teams moving is nothing new. The difference between this and many other "deals" has been the transparency of the Seattle owners group. The difference here is that Hansen is just what he purports to be, a guy who wants to buy the Kings and bring basketball back to Seattle. As to the Starbucks comment you make, you have me there. Their coffee is awful stuff.
 @Working Stiff We the fans didn't let anything go. We said no to fully funding an arena which every city in America should say no to.
Seattle's short-term memory loss is scary.
 @Klondiko So is Sacramento's. If memory serves, correct me if I'm wrong, this wasn't the first or last time a team relocated.Â
This is not surprising. We all have to remember that money rules in this business. This scenario has happened way to many times before. Lakers from Minneapolis to LA. the Kings from Kansas to Sacramento. The Jazz from New Orleans to Utah. the Grizzlies from Vancouver to Memphis. The Hornets from Charlotte to New Orleans and the Sonics from Seattle to OKC. This has happened before and will happen again. Maybe someday the NBA will have another expansion and Sacramento can have their team back.
cool picture
Two lawsuits against the new arena will not bring the Kings here,I fear that it will destroy the relocation NBA team here
NBA basketball is big business... Only in Seattle are our citizens expected to feel guilty for a private purchase of another team. I doubt any of those okies shed a tear for poor Seattle when the Sonics were sold there. Heck... they ripped up our flooring and took it with them for heavens sake!Â
SO KOMO DELEATED MY COMMENT HOW 1 SIDEDÂ Â Â ORÂ DID THAT CHRIS GUYÂ HAVE SOME THING TOÂ DOÂ WITHÂ IT
@SUN_RUNNER   Maybe because you are 13 and should be in school. Your constant caps lock and bad grammar give you away and suggest that maybe you should go back. At least you didn't substitute aposterphes with commas like you did on yesterdays post.
Â
Trolling FAIL!
 @SUN_RUNNER CAPSLOCK, CAPSLOCK, CAPSLOCK.......BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!
 @SUN_RUNNER Maybe they're just removing pointless trolls.
It's a shame, actually. Sacramento has a mayor that gives a damn and has worked his butt off to keep basketball in his city. He even got an arena deal that everyone shook hands on. However, the Maloofs screwed him.  Let us not forget how we felt when that Oklahoma dirt bag yanked our team from Seattle five years ago.
Â
Now that we've reflected on the past, on to the future.......  GO SONICS!!!!
 @path_tech
 The Maloofs may yet screw Hansen and Co., and by extension Seattle. That $30 million deposit is non-refundable, and the Maloofs are allowed to take that money and keep shopping the team around at the same time until the NBA votes on the matter in April.
Sorry Sacramento and yeeeehaw all in the same sentence.
It's a bummer that it has to be at the expense of another city and their fans, but I am very excited to have NBA basketball back in Seattle.
 @The206 I am too. Also, this team played in several cities before Sacrament0....Kansas City until 1985, so it's not like we're the first relocation. But, I feel the same way.