Maloof: Kings Staying In Sacramento
SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) — Kings co-owner Joe Maloof told The Associated Press that the NBA club will remain in Sacramento for at least one more season to give Mayor Kevin Johnson a chance to follow through on his promise for a new arena.
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"The mayor of Sacramento has told the NBA relocation committee that he will have a plan for a new arena within a year," Maloof said Monday. "If not, the team will be relocated to another city."
The team had been considering a move to Anaheim, Calif.
"I think it's the fair thing to do," Maloof said. "We've always said we think Sacramento has the best NBA fans in the world. Their overwhelming show of support was incredible. But now they realize that we're giving them another opportunity and we're anxious to play basketball."
Last week, Sacramento's corporate community handed NBA representatives deposits on more than $10 million in sponsorship pledges for the Kings to stay at least another year.
"We spent 13 years and millions of dollars to try to get an arena built," Maloof said. "We don't have the answer. The mayor has the answers and we're willing and able to listen. He's got to have a plan. We never want to be untruthful to the fans of Sacramento. There is a sense of urgency, and that's up to mayor Johnson and his political team."
The Maloofs explored relocation because of several failed efforts to build a new arena in Sacramento. A feasibility study for a new arena isn't scheduled to be completed until the end of May, and there has always been a divide between Kings fans and the broader public on how to finance an arena.
Maloof said he appreciated the support and encouragement from Anaheim officials.
"I am sure that Anaheim will have a team some day," he said.
Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait issued the following statement in response to the Maloof family announcing they will keep the NBA Kings team in Sacramento for 2011-12 season:
"Anaheim remains an NBA-ready city," said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait. "We are proud of the work that was done to bring an NBA team to Anaheim's Honda Center. In particular, we protected the city's taxpayers and the city's finances from any risk by using private, not public, funds in the financing.
"As confirmed by NBA Commissioner David Stern, this process has shown that Anaheim/Orange County is a stand-alone market. With more than 3 million residents, Orange County is its own region - not a suburb. We believe that there should be more than one venue in southern California to enjoy NBA basketball.
"Though we are disappointed at today's announcement, we respect this business decision. I am grateful to the Maloofs for their strong interest in Anaheim and Orange County. I want to thank my colleagues on the city council, the city staff and Anaheim Arena Management for their commitment to this effort. I especially want to thank Henry and Susan Samueli for their passion and dedication to Anaheim and Orange County.
"The bottom line is this: The final chapter has not been written. Anaheim/Orange County is ripe for the NBA and we offer an incredibly attractive package to any team. As a world-class sports and entertainment destination, Anaheim will continue to move forward and we remain optimistic to one day welcoming professional basketball to Anaheim," he said.
(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
