Kings to Anaheim for 2011-12 season?

[Mexi]

The Sacramento Kings are seriously exploring the possibility of applying to the NBA by the league's March 1 deadline for relocation to Anaheim for next season, according to sources with knowledge of the team's thinking.

The Kings haven't made a final decision, but sources said team officials have been in Orange County, Calif., this month to gather more first-hand data on the feasibility and potential obstacles involved in trying to move to Anaheim's Honda Center at season's end after a 26-season run in Sacramento and numerous failed attempts to secure the financing needed for the construction of a new modern arena.

NBA commissioner David Stern publicly confirmed for the first time Saturday night at his annual All-Star Weekend news conference that the Kings have had discussions with Anaheim officials about a possible move.

In a subsequent phone interview with ESPN.com, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof declined to discuss specifics but said: "We have to look at all of our options at this point. But we also want to concentrate on our team right now. Any of the arena stuff, we'll talk about that later."

Maloof also reiterated comments he's made to the Sacramento Bee newspaper about the Kings being approached by "many cities" besides Anaheim.

But sources close to the situation say, with no NBA-ready arena for the Kings to move into in the Maloofs' home base of Las Vegas, that Anaheim holds the greatest appeal to the Kings.

The Kings have been trying for nearly a decade to replace outdated Arco Arena (soon to be renamed Power Balance Pavilion) with a new revenue-generating building that would ensure they stay in a market that was once known as the home of one of the NBA's most fervent fan bases. That was before Sacramento's slide down the Western Conference standings.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/allstar2011/news/story?id=6140807

 

[RipCity32]

Anaheim Kings. Meh lol.

 

[.GR]

Fuck this

 

[jonathanlambert33]

About a seven hour ride. I don't get how'd you have three NBA teams that close to another though.

 

[DJT]

Yeah exactly. I'd rather them move to Kansas City then Anaheim.

 

[footballplaya52]

Anaheim Kings. Meh lol.

Los Angeles Kings of Anaheim?

still meh

 

[.GR]

Im guessing they wouldnt be the Kings anymore since there is alrwady the LA Kings in LA.

 

[ZigZag]

The Maloofs are such douchebags. While the rest of the county's economy is reportedly picking up, Sacramento's isn't which is why we're not willing to shell out tax dollars for an arena for a shitty team but this is just going to make it worse. Thousands of people are going to lose their jobs and a whole town is going to lose it's income just because they are too impatient to wait.


And Stern needs to get his head out of his ass and agree to help with a new arena when it could happen instead of taking away all future funding.

 

[Pugz]

The Kings defeated the Clippers 105-99 in front of a sold-out crowd at Arco Arena on Monday night.

The 17,317 fans came out in an attempt to convince ownership against relocating the franchise to Anaheim.

"I haven't seen it like this since C-Webb, Peja, Mike Bibby, and all those guys, man. Hopefully we can bring it back. We need the fans and hopefully they'll come to all the home games we have," newcomer Marcus Thornton said of the crowd.

It was just the second sellout of the season for Sacramento. The other came on Nov. 1 in the team's home opener against Toronto.

 

[footballplaya52]

maybe they wouldnt be thinking relocation if the fans sold out to more than 2 fucking games.

 

[DJT]

Marcus Thornton had a heckuva game to.

Hopefully the fans will continue to show up. Funny how fans start showing up more when they hear they might lose their team.

 

[ZigZag]

Powerbalance decided they don't want to have the naming rights until they know the situation. They took off the Arco sign at the stadium today but didn't put anything up.

 

[.GR]

haha good

 

[Mexi]

they extended the deadline to April 14th
that just so happens to be the day after the last game of the season for the kings

that is also the day they announce they are moving to Anaheim

they couldnt do it with 10+ home games left. extremely bad timing, shit would go down

i just wonder what station they'll be on down here
Fox sports has the clippers and lakers. lakers are leaving Fox soon, but not til after next season. the kings will be playing down here this fall

 

[.GR]

think we'll still be the kings or will theychange that too?

 

[Pugz]

well we have the la kings already. thats the only thing i think will mkae them decide for a change. hopefully they get new jerseys though; if they do move.

 

[Elite]

well we have the la kings already. thats the only thing i think will mkae them decide for a change. hopefully they get new jerseys though; if they do move.

We?

Don't you live in Michigan? I know I say we all the team, but that's when I'm referring to a team, not an area.

 

[Mexi]

it's just a figure of speech (i think thats what i mean?)

"we" as in sports world or me and you. get it? i think im messing this up

like if i were to say, "we got the thunder and jazz playing on tnt tonight, cant wait"

 

[Pugz]

dude, you read too far into my posts.


i didnt mean we as in my state/area. i meant we as in the sports world, like mexi said.

 

[Pugz]

It appears as though the Kings are moving closer to Anaheim.

Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson conceded that it is "more likely they're going to be in Anaheim."

Johnson used the word "extremely" when asked about the likelihood of the Kings becoming the third NBA team in Southern California, before stopping in mid-sentence.

"I don't think Sacramento can influence the outcome of their decision," he said.

As the inability to secure a deal to replace the aging Sacramento arena dragged on, Joe and Gavin Maloof zeroed in on Anaheim as their top choice.

The Kings have received an extension from the NBA to make a decision on their relocation.