If you’re a fan of the Sacramento Kings, you’re probably buying antacids in the handy 500 tablet size. Perhaps you’re praying to St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes. If you run the Bekins or North American Van Lines franchise, maybe you’re writing up estimates now to move the Kings to the Pacific Northwest. Tip - get the cash up front.
The story is getting more curious by the day. Earlier this week, it appeared all but certain the Maloof’s would cash in and for better or worse rid Sacramento of a pair of goofy card carrying members of the Lucky Sperm Club. Incredibly, some smart business people - Microsoft Smart Billionaire Hedge Fund tycoon were set to pay the boys something like 525 million dollars, a rising tide of cash that will raise all of the Yachts anchored in the NBA. 30 owners will have to vote on the deal which looked incredibly good for Seattle. A long time NBA member - until a nouveau rich Clay Bennett had a hissy fit over Seattle’s unwillingness to build a new Arena - and moved the franchise to Oklahoma City where it’s thriving and winning.
Why would the NBA Gentry reject a move, something it’s ONLY DONE ONCE before?
Because Kevin Johnson has a couple of Whales on the line, both Ron Burkle and Mark Mastrov could handle the deal by writing a check. They're both players with serious business creds. Burkle owns and has turned around the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. Mastrove folded his hand in a bidding war for the Golden State Warriors, but is a self described Basketball Nut. One could probably put the scratch together to buy the Kings. Two whales mean not only are the bills paid and the financial support to add to the city's 255 million dollar arena contribution, there will be money for top tier talent. Yeah imagine that: not just retaining the Kings, maintaining the Kings. Investing in a team that may be just a couple of talented hoop stars away from being competitive, three or four from taking Sacramento from pretender to contender. Burkle and Mastrov backed by local millions can energize the fan base. The new arena, probably where the downtown mall is, can help energize and redevelop the sleepy downtown and river areas and wouldn't the NBA take pride in being the catalyst for that. The league right now is still about the big dogs: Lakers, Celtics, Knicks and Bulls. But look at the standings and the NBA is peppered with plenty of medium market teams. In fact, about 25 percent of the league is made up of teams from markets smaller than Sacramento – Memphis, Oklahoma City, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Milwaukee, and Charlotte. That’s right - every one of them is smaller than Sacramento and this is not a town where you have to explain the difference between a fast break and a full court press. The Kings have been running and gunning for Sacramento since 1985 and about that town with just one pro team...thing....in some NBA marketing eyes, that’s called a cornered market. Kevin Johnson, in his private presentation to the NBA power brokers, may also stress Sacramento's ethic diverse population...perhaps the most.
