Los Angeles Royals fo Anaheim

[der Kaiser]

Response from Council member

Glenn,
Thanks for your email. Without divulging any confidential information, I can tell you that there have been repeated attempts on behalf of the City and others who care about Sacramento to try to keep the Kings. In particular, Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA all-star point guard, who is a complete basketball junkie and utterly devoted to keeping Sacramento’s NBA team, has talked in recent weeks and months with the Maloofs to figure out what it would take to keep the Kings here for even one more year. The hope is that if they stay one more season, we’d have time for the Icon-Taylor team to develop a solid arena plan for Sacramento. After all, they are THE experts when it comes to financing and building civic projects such as arenas and stadiums. But the Maloofs made it clear there is absolutely NOTHING that we can do right now.

Not even the magical moment that I shared with 17,000 other Sacramentans who sold out the Kings game on February 28th and showed the Maloofs what a real home town advantage can be has swayed them. If they can complete their negotiations with Anaheim in time for next season, they are gone. Period! They are not willing to discuss any of the terms with us, and they have ZERO interest in hearing counteroffers from Sacramento unless and until the Anaheim negotiations fall through.

Their reasons for moving have little to do with the arena, though obviously if we had built a new arena, they’d have been contractually bound to stay and would not be able to even consider offers to move to another city. But they aren’t legally bound to stay at Arco Arena/Power Balance Pavilion, and they have no intention of staying unless the Anaheim deal falls through. The attraction for Anaheim is a $100 million loan and a chance at a larger TV market that’s ten times the size of Sacramento’s market. So right now, the issue is money and TV markets, which the City of Sacramento can do nothing about.

So where does Sacramento stand now? I agree with our Mayor and others who say that the goal here is bigger than basketball. With or without the Kings, we will build a new entertainment and sports complex. On Tuesday, February 8, 2011, the City Council unanimously agreed to select the ICON-Taylor development team to take the next three months to analyze and develop a finance plan for a new sports and entertainment complex. This team plans to move forward even if the Maloofs move the team to Southern California.

ICON is a Denver based company that has built several arenas and sports facilities throughout the world. David Taylor, a local developer has been the driver of much redevelopment in Downtown Sacramento, including the U.S. Bank Tower on Capitol Mall, new City Hall, Esquire Plaza and the Sheraton Grand Sacramento. The team also includes New York based Turner Construction, Populous, a Kansas City, Missouri sports architecture firm and Dan Meis, who designed the Staples Center in L.A.

I would also like to see Sacramento’s sports scene more diversified with a professional soccer team and a major upgrade to Sac State’s facilities and teams. We should not be a one-horse town. I’ll keep you posted on these developments, but as always, I welcome your ideas as well.


STEVE COHN

I got this from a kings forum. Sucks for them.

[duncan228]

Mayor: Kings are in ‘final weeks’ in Sacramento
By Antonio Gonzalez

Sacramento’s Mayor is already preparing for life without the Kings.

In a strongly worded blog posted on his website Tuesday night, Mayor and former NBA player Kevin Johnson wrote the franchise’s possible relocation to Anaheim “feels like a slow death” and this “will likely be the Kings’ final weeks in Sacramento after 26 years.”

Johnson met with Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof last month and has believed since that the Kings will leave after this season.

After years of not receiving public dollars to build a new arena in Sacramento, the Maloofs began discussions with Anaheim officials about relocating the franchise to Orange County. An attorney representing the Kings also filed for at least four federal trademarks registrations: Anaheim Royals, Anaheim Royals of Southern California, Orange County Royals and Los Angeles Royals.

The well-traveled franchise was previously named the Rochester Royals and Cincinnati Royals.

Coincidentally, the Kings have played several home games this season in the throwback uniforms of those 1951 NBA champion Rochester Royals. Johnson also seemed bothered that the Kings have been wearing Royals uniforms.

Johnson has maintained that Sacramento needs to focus on building a new arena with or without the Kings, even poking fun at their former—and perhaps future—moniker.

“The strange part is, our true destiny as a professional sports town continues to rest with us—not the Kings or Royals or whatever they want to call themselves,” Johnson said.

The NBA already granted the Kings an extension until April 18 to decide if it will file a request to move the franchise for next season. The Kings will have the opportunity to discuss their plans at the NBA’s Board of Governors meetings April 14-15 in New York.

Sacramento’s season finale is April 13 at home against the rival Los Angeles Lakers, a game that could be the last at the newly renamed Power Balance Pavilion, formerly called Arco Arena. Johnson also said a financial feasibility study on a new arena will continue as planned and thanked fans who “take the high road” during the season’s final weeks.

“The slow death is almost over. It’s painful,” he said. “But a new beginning is right around the corner.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...ngs-relocation

[Budkin]

Damn that blows... let's hope Peter Holt never obsesses over a larger TV market or the Spurs may share a similar fate. Or are they tied to the arena contract?

[ChuckD]

Damn that blows... let's hope Peter Holt never obsesses over a larger TV market or the Spurs may share a similar fate. Or are they tied to the arena contract?

Tied up. I think the original deal was for 25 years, starting in 2002, but the deal was extended for the bond/arena upgrade thing back in 2007 or 2008 for a rolling 25 years, meaning 2032-2033 time frame.

[Ashy Larry]

CROFL @ Los Angeles of Anaheim.

Artie Moreno, owner of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, dropped that bomb on the city of Anaheim who had in the contract that the Angels must always have the city's name in the team's le.

Artie, wanting to expand beyond Orange County, started dropping billboard near downtown L.A. and all over, claiming Dodger territory and wanting the second biggest market. Los Angeles appeals most nationally than Anaheim locally.

Clippers really missed out on a golden opportunity to have Anaheim to themselves.

[duncan228]

Report: Lakers, Clippers lack votes to block Kings Anaheim move
Kurt Helin

The Honda Center in Anaheim is 34 miles away from Staples Center, which means it may take 30 minutes and it may take two-and-a-half hours to drive there on Los Angeles freeways.

But it’s close enough that the Lakers and Clippers do not want the Kings moving to Anaheim. It just appears they can do nothing about it.

Reports have been that the Board of Governors (the owners) vote to extend the Maloofs negotiating period to April 18 was 27-2, with the Lakers and Clippers voting no. Marc Stein reports at ESPN the Lakers and Clippers are having little success in gathering no votes now.

But the Lakers and Clippers would need 14 other teams to oppose the Kings’ relocation when it reaches the voting stage. They will undoubtedly have a few supporters — big-market teams such as Golden State that don’t want to see another franchise move right into their neighborhood as the Kings are planning in Southern California — but one source said there are already strong indications in circulation that the Kings will be able to secure the minimum 16 votes required (and maybe more) to clinch the simple majority needed to ratify any proposed relocation.

It would appear that the best L.A.’s teams can hope for is a hefty relocation fee that could dissuade brothers Joe and Gavin Maloof, who co-own the Kings. Relocation fees in the NBA are “discretionary,” meaning that the fee is established by the league’s Board of Governors and varies from relocation to relocation. The Seattle SuperSonics, for example, paid a $30 million relocation fee when they moved to Oklahoma City. It remains to be seen if the Maloofs are asked to pay more.

It isn’t hard to imagine other owners thinking the Clippers and Jerry Buss’ Lakers — perennially two of the league’s profit makers — don’t need or deserve a big payout for a third team entering the market. (Yes, the Clippers are profitable, very profitable. Low payroll in a big market with big local television revenue and plenty of luxury boxes in house. Why do you think Donald Sterling can run them the way he does, he still makes money so there is no pressure to change.)

This is just another sad sign that the momentum of this move is picking up steam and the fans of Sacramento are going to get screwed. The Anaheim City Council is expected to vote next week on issuing bonds for some renovation of the Honda Center to make it NBA ready, one of the few final hurdles to this deal.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.c...-anaheim-move/

[The Gemini Method]

I've already seen bootleg new error hats with the old Royals insignia at the swap meets...lol

[usdane]

I see it already. Riverside Grizzles, Redondo Beach Bucks and San Diego Wildfire. Had to include that last one.

Sports teams are falling over themselves in LA but still no ing NFL? WTF.

[IronMaxipad]

Even with ty traffic Anaheim is not a 2 and half hour drive.

[baseline bum]

Even with ty traffic Anaheim is not a 2 and half hour drive.

It can be if you live on the westside of town.

[duncan228]

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson says third NBA team in Southland is 'ridiculous'
As the Sacramento Kings appear more and more likely to move to Anaheim, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson expresses doubts about whether Southern California can support a third NBA team.
By Mike Bresnahan
LA Times

It's a small world after all, even in Southern California.

The Sacramento Kings hope to move to Anaheim before next season, but Lakers Coach Phil Jackson thinks NBA owners are in fantasyland if they approve the relocation.

"What other metropolitan area has three teams in it?" Jackson said rhetorically. "It's ridiculous to put another franchise in this market. It just doesn't make sense to do that."

Jackson wouldn't be happy to hear the latest developments. The move is looking more likely.

The city of Anaheim plans to vote Tuesday on a privately financed $75-million bond issue that will help fund relocation fees for the franchise as well as improvements to Honda Center. If approved, the fund could also lead to the creation of a new practice facility in Anaheim.

There could be further momentum when the topic of the Kings' relocation gets discussed at the NBA's board of governors meeting April 14-15. The Kings would then have to let the league know by April 18 if they officially plan to move.

Kings ownership cites the lack of a new arena in Sacramento as a main reason to relocate.

Jackson didn't like any of it.

"There's only so much [media] coverage that you can have," he said Friday while talking to a group of reporters. "You guys are going to be overworked. Just think about that."

The Lakers and Clippers will vote against the move because out of crowded-marketplace concerns. Jackson wondered which way the New Orleans Hornets would vote. The Hornets are owned by the NBA, which purchased the financially troubled franchise on a temporary basis in December.

Jackson wondered what would happen "when it comes right down to the end, and now it has to be New Orleans' vote that makes the majority [if] it's tied at ...14-14 or whatever," he said.

Good question.

The only thing Jackson seemed to favor in Anaheim would have been a move there in the past by the Lakers' Staples Center cotenants.

"We were always surprised the Clippers never went there," Jackson said. "It seemed like an appropriate place for them to go."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basket...,4768119.story

*********************

Prospective lease agreement between Kings, city of Anaheim released
Matt Moore

There’s a deal on the table to kill professional basketball in Sacramento.

Anaheim city officials Friday released an unsigned lease proposal between the city and the Sacramento Kings involving owners the Maloof brothers, and Honda Center operator Henry Samueli. From SBNation.com:

The centerpiece of the agreement is an upfront $50 million loan to the Maloofs, who own the Kings franchise. The loan would actually be made by Samueli, but paid for immediately by bonds issued by the city of Anaheim. Samueli would be on the hook to repay bondholders, and the lease agreement includes a process for the Maloofs to pay Samueli back. A city staff report recommending approval of the bond issuance says that taxpayers would not be put at risk.

The bond issuance also includes $25 million for Honda Center renovations, including a practice facility and locker rooms. The Maloofs are expected to face hefty relocation fees due to encroachment on the Lakers’ and Clippers’ Los Angeles market. The Maloofs also have an outstanding $70 million loan from the city of Sacramento to pay immediately upon relocation.

via Potential Anaheim Lease For Sacramento Kings Released; Centerpiece Is $50 Million Loan – SBNation.com.

Keep reading...

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.c...heim-released/

[The Gemini Method]

Philly J with the goods tbqfh. The Clippers aren't LA--they should've went Anaheim way...Let L.A. remain Laker hood!

[Venti Quattro]

This could have been averted if the Clippers already moved to anaheim. But they have dimwits for a front-office and a honcho who doesn't have any ounce of humanity and sense

[Ashy Larry]

the clippers have failed in every aspect ..... they drew a good 16-17K and would practically own Orange County.

[j.dizzle]

3 NBA teams, 2 MLB teams, 2 NHL teams & no NFL team. That is ridiculous . The Kings are garbage, even the Clippers are better than them.

[TheMACHINE]

go Royals!

[LkrFan]

If this happens the Clips should move back to San Diego.

[Indazone]

Phil Jackson hates this

[GuerillaBlack]

Artie Moreno, owner of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, dropped that bomb on the city of Anaheim who had in the contract that the Angels must always have the city's name in the team's le.

Artie, wanting to expand beyond Orange County, started dropping billboard near downtown L.A. and all over, claiming Dodger territory and wanting the second biggest market. Los Angeles appeals most nationally than Anaheim locally.

Clippers really missed out on a golden opportunity to have Anaheim to themselves.

Clippers to San Diego?

[Indazone]

Clippers came out of San Diego. I guess Sacremento is just too much of a small market. Problem with San Diego is that no NBA team has ever lasted there.

[ChumpDumper]

Clippers don't have to move anywhere and the league can't make them.

[TheMACHINE]

Royals will be # 2 in so-cal.

Poor clips. hahah

[IronMaxipad]

Nice lakers get more home games.

[duncan228]

Kings owner critical of Sacramento city government

Sacramento Kings owner Joe Maloof made his first public comment about his franchise’s possible relocation to Anaheim on Monday night, criticizing a letter sent between the cities’ governments.

Maloof spoke briefly to the Orange County Register after a Sacramento city official wrote to Anaheim’s city manager asking Anaheim to stop negotiations with the Kings.

The letter from Sacramento Assistant City Manager John Dangberg claims a move could cause “irreparable harm to the City of Sacramento” if the Kings default on a $73 million loan from the city. Dangberg called Anaheim’s negotiations with the Kings “bad public policy at a minimum,” asking for contractual assurance the Kings will pay their debt before they get more bonds from Anaheim.

“That letter is completely wrong, and it was uncalled for—below the belt — and it’s a shame it had to come out of his office,” Maloof told the Register. “We tried to be classy and not get in arguments in the media, but I (have to) make this comment. We will continue on with our business and do what is best for the viability of the franchise—what’s best for the franchise and what’s best for the league.”

The letter also asks Anaheim not to authorize $75 million in bonds to aid the move. The Anaheim city council is expected to vote on a financial plan to entice an NBA team to move to the city-owned Honda Center in a special meeting Tuesday night.

“It’s not for the mayor or anybody to interfere with our business,” Maloof told the Register. “That’s what I think they’re doing, and it’s not right. We would appreciate that they not interfere with our business.”

Maloof didn’t return phone and text messages from The Associated Press late Monday night.

The Maloofs have been in private discussions for several months on a move out of their aging Sacramento building formerly known as Arco Arena. They must file for relocation with the NBA by April 18 to start the process, which would include a vote among the league’s other owners.

Sacramento issued the bonds for a loan to the Kings in July 1997, two years before the Maloofs bought the franchise. The Kings will owe Sacramento roughly $77 million if they leave this summer.

“We’ve always satisfied our obligations to the City of Sacramento,” Maloof said. “We’re honest businesspeople, and we have never missed a payment. In fact, we’re way ahead of schedule. A couple of years ago, we paid somewhere between $9 million and $11 million ahead because we wanted to lower the debt.

“We’ve always paid our financial obligations in the past, we’re going to do it in the present, and we’re going to do it in the future. They have nothing to worry about. They will be paid in full, whatever it takes.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...ngs-relocation

[TheMACHINE]

ing butthurt sacramento