Mayor Johnson Unhappy With Maloofs Over Extension
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- It looked like a done deal, but the Kings have now filed for an extension giving them more time to decide if they'll move. But Thursday, in a hastily called news conference, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said he is not happy with how the Maloofs are handling this.
Johnson was clearly very unhappy after finding out about the extension request online and not in person.
"I can't mince words, I'm disappointed with where we are," said Johnson.
Clearly frustrated, Mayor Kevin Johnson says he won't allow Sacramento to be used as the Maloofs negotiate with other communities, and that he would have appreciated a phone call before their latest move was made.
"We could have been notified that they were thinking about filing an extension, instead of finding out on a Google alert. That to me is not how you deal with partners," Johnson explained.
But Johnson is still vowing to fight, to do everything he can, to keep the team in Sacramento, and that starts with a face-to-face meeting with the Maloofs next Tuesday.
"We're not just gonna sit here and wait for them to determine what they're gonna do. We're gonna be a driver in this discussion," says Johnson.
Local groups, like the Natomas Chamber, are also preparing for battle. Back by 400 businesses, they've been pushing to keep the arena in Natomas, and now they'll fight even harder to keep them from leaving the region.
"As a chamber we've been meeting with city council members, talking to the press, and writing letters to editors; getting out to anyone who can tell our side of the story," says Ed Koop, Natomas Chamber President.
Fans are also fighting; one of the bloggers behind "Here We Stay, an online movement to keep the Kings, created a chant for fans to shout out during Monday night's game, the same game they're trying to sellout to send a message to the Maloofs.
"They can show up and show the Maloofs and city council and the entire community that they're behind the Kings franchise and that we want to stay here," says Blake Ellington, "Here We Stay".
