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Follow the Sonics off and on the court with reporters Percy Allen and Jayda Evans.
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May 12, 2008 4:15 PM
NBA and Sacramento close to an arena deal
Posted by Percy Allen
Just can't seem to figure this one out.
A NBA city annually stonewalls the local franchise in its efforts to build a public/private-financed arena. Ok, that's nothing new.
But in the case of the Sacramento Kings, the league continues to plow forward no matter how many times a tax measure fails and despite resistance from voters.
The Kings have fought for a new arena since 2003, however, the NBA will not abandon Sacramento.
At the behest of the Kings owners, the league took over negotiations in December 2006 and last Friday, the NBA and Cal Expo agreed to a move forward on a joint project to build a $650 million arena at the state fairgrounds.
That's downright insulting to Sonics fans who wish Commissioner David Stern would put half the effort to resolving the arena situation here that he's given to the Kings.
Read the opinion story from Sacramento Bee columinist Marcos Breton. In his piece, Breton references Seattle as a cautionary tale.
He also quotes Stern who says: "We met with the mayor (of Sacramento), she said she'd love to be helpful. We met with the county, they said they'd love to be helpful. We met with the governor, he said he'd love to be helpful. ... They are prudently supportive of something intelligent and for the benefit of taxpayers."
Digg
NewsvinePosted by Trevallion
2:37 AM, May 13, 2008
Insulting?
I think its a huge complement to Seattleites who are too intelligent to fall for the scam that is the NBA, this despite the underhanded efforts of the plethora of less than credible sports journalists that infect this area.
Posted by Chris Van Dyk
8:16 AM, May 13, 2008
All done with private money, to boot: "The goal is to attract a developer that can take the existing space at Cal Expo, revamp the fairgrounds, add a 17,000- to 20,000-seat arena and squeeze in enough new commercial or residential development to pay for it all."
Why is Seattle expected to be the chump?
Posted by jeffd928
8:24 AM, May 13, 2008
Stern apparently wrote off Seattle a long time ago as a favor to Cow Pie Clay.
Posted by Myk
11:41 AM, May 13, 2008
"(don't give me that page 2 stuff on ESPN...doesn't count!)"
- Well Bill Simmons is the most viewed portion of their Website so I dont know what you are talking about.
Posted by Kellen
1:13 PM, May 13, 2008
Percy,
Is it true that KD unleashed an expletive laced tirade when he was asked about Horford following the ROY award?
If true, I don't know if I want this guy representing my city anymore.
Posted by Ducks rule
2:26 PM, May 13, 2008
The big difference is that even though they would like a new arena, Sacramento is profitable in their current one. The Kings generated 50% more revenue in 2007 than the Sonics did.
They can afford to be more patient.
Posted by Crow
12:01 PM, May 15, 2008
Ducks rule is right about a main reason being that is had been a profitable market. But it slipped badly this year.
Also Stern played a big role in moving Kings to Sacramento in the mid 80s. Stern protects the legacy of Stern.
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Posted by pleasanton
8:05 PM, May 12, 2008
Does David Stern have a "man crush" on Arnold Schwarzenegger?
Something fishy is going on and it can't be found in the Public Market!
I haven't figured out why the national media hasn't embraced this story...I think ESPN is in bed with the NBA (don't give me that page 2 stuff on ESPN...doesn't count!)