Although the mayor of Sacramento is saying the Kings are staying put in California, several news agencies are reporting that the Kings are on their way to Seattle.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn--kings-to-seattle-20130109,0,7172265.story
It's looking more and more like the the Sonics might be playing in Key arena by next season!
The I-5 rivalry is back!
I guess the Maloof brothers have agreed, allegedly, to sell the Kings to a group led by Chris Hansen, a Hedge Fund manager in the Bay area that is from Seattle, and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
The new arena south of Safeco Field is a go, and Hansen was given permission to search out for a franchise.
As a Seattle sports fan, I'm happy. That said, I feel bad for the people of Sacramento, a small market that has supported the Kings very well for quite a while, for their loss if this goes down. After how we got fucked by Clay Bennett, David Stern and their ilk (and the irresponsible jackass, Howard Schultz, who blindly sold the Sonics to Bennett), I wouldn't wish that upon anyone.
It's my understanding that "several news organizations" are reporting on a Tweet posted by the daughter of a sports agent. Hardly the most rock-solid basis for all the brouhaha that's erupted. I think it would be better to wait until the Maloofs actually announce something, rather than counting on the Twitterverse.
Added; I checked again, and now, it looks like everyone is hot and bothered by Tweets from a dude on Yahoo Sports. Still, anything Twitter-based should be viewed as such, and not gospel.
I'm not celebrating quite yet. Too many of these close deals have fallen through over the years. I agree, wait until the Maloofs announce the deal.
As mentioned, Microsofts Steve Ballmer is a big part of this proposed deal. So, if this happens, it will be the 3rd connection with Microsoft for a major NW franchise. (Of course, referring to Paul Allen).
Here is the latest from Sacramento:
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/09/5102688/kings-decline-comment-on-rumored.html
One interesting point, that many are aware of, is that Seattle still owns the rights to all branding and marketing of the Sonics. So if SAC moves, they will become the Seattle Sonics, or to be precise, The Seattle SuperSonics. As I understand it, the championship in '79 would also be maintained as part of any new franchise moving in. Similar situation to the Cleveland Browns. But unlike the Baltimore Colts.
Doesn't look there will be any more news on this tonight, but I would expect to hear something during the day tomorrow.
So when is the NHL coming to Seattle since the arena proposed was to be multiuse?
I would say as soon as the building is under construction. Seattle would be a great NHL city, with a natural rivalry with Vancouver. BTW, Seattle is a former Stanley Cup winner in 1917 with a win over Montreal.
Looks like the odds of four major pro franchises in Seattle is likely. Though, I am still wary of this Sacramento to Seattle deal. Deal or No Deal was a TV show, but it is reality as of 7:24 pm PST tonight.
The Phoenix Coyotes might be looking for a new home next year.....
I'm always NOT easily amused from 'MEDIA HYPE'...
I don't agree with you on the viability of Seattle being a NHL city, Paul. They don't support the Thunderbirds whatsoever, for one. (I know, apples to oranges with it being major junior hockey, but the hockey culture is completely absent in Seattle.) The market size at #13 is plenty big, especially given the fact that the NHL has teams in markets like Columbus, Nashville, etc.
There also is Vancouver, who has groused about a franchise so close. Much like the Mariners did when there was the inkling of Major League Baseball putting a team in Portland. And remember, Seattle is closer to Vancouver than it is Portland.
Hansen likes the idea of hockey in Seattle, and this stadium will be built for that possibility. KeyArena was intentionally NOT retrofitted for NHL hockey. Then-Sonics owner Barry Ackerley oversaw the design of the Key, and wanted it built smaller than NHL specs so they wouldn't draw a team. He didn't want the competition for Seattle's sports $$.
REALLY stupid. Then again, it WAS Barry Ackerley, who was a terrible owner.
...the hockey culture is completely absent in Seattle.
I think I even saw somewhere that the Thunderbirds play at a newer, much smaller venue in the suburbs. Oh, and there's another WHL team in Everett, thereby fracturing the fan base further.
I for one am not celebrating. Sacramento is another one-horse town when it comes to major league sports, so they'd be losing their only team.
There's one team I wouldn't mind moving to Seattle: the Trail Blazers. Flame away if you must. 
MoD - do NOT incite Listener Guy back in here. He stalked me enough the first time!
"Then again, it WAS Barry Ackerley, who was a terrible owner."
And still Howard Schultz managed to make Barry Ackerley look like a genius owner!
Well, think of it this way - if Barry Ackerley didn't intentionally have KeyArena designed as-is, and instead into a legit NBA arena, we wouldn't be having this discussion right now, because the Sonics would have never left Seattle in the first place.
'INEPT' to say the least...
If memory serves, back in the mid-90's when the Seattle Center Coliseum was remodeled, it was cost-prohibitive to add enough seats for the NHL. The roof would have had to be raised, and the entire structure basically rebuilt. Those familiar with the original structure understand the roof is basically supported by four steel trusses, and still is. While some modifications were made in the roof, the main change was building the floor deeper into the ground to allow additional seating.
The twist today turns out be a report that the Sacramento owners want to still have a say in the teams operation. I think these guys must be off their meds. Crazy. Like, I buy your house, but you still have the right to decide what I do with the kitchen remodel. Insane. But not the first time for this group. If they insist, this deal likely blows up like a number of deals previously for the Maloofs. However, the Maloofs need to sell as they are heavily in debt. And 500mill plus is probably the best that they are going to get. So anything can still happen, but as I said yesterday, Seattle basketball fans should not get their hopes up too high, especially when dealing with these crazies from Sactown.
Paul - my understanding is that the Maloof brothers would have a very minority interest in the franchise if this goes through, and NO say in decisions. As far as the deal, I'll believe it when the ink is dry and the team is on the way.
Another thing to keep in mind - the NBA. David Stern orchestrated, in large part, the exodus of the Sonics to OKC in the first place. He and Clay Bennett are boys, and have been for many years.
One other thing to look at - the head of the NBA's Relocation Committee? Yep, you guessed it. Clay Bennett.
As far as Seattle Center Coliseum/KeyArena - they DID rebuild the arena. They left the roof intact, and dug down to make it bigger. As with so much of Seattle's arenas, it was done on the cheap. The Kingdome was built on the cheap, outdated the day it opened (like KeyArena), and a giant pile of shit as well.
...do NOT incite Listener Guy back in here.
I believe I missed that one; don't want to know.
...Seattle Center Coliseum/KeyArena...
What really surprised me was at the time the Rose Garden was being built in Portland, other brand-new arenas were being built elsewhere, and here was Seattle, doing a remodel instead.
Finally, why is this the first thing that comes to mind whenever thinking of the Sonics? (If you are/were a Sonics fan, do not click on the following.)
http://youtu.be/omcfMzoW0Zg?t=3m50s
One report...can't find any confirmation.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/kings-move-seattle-done-deal
There apparently is a bidding war on now between emerging Sac investors and the Seattle group. Guess who will win? Plus, the Maloofs will not sell to Sac investors because they would be presumed failures there. (Not that they arn't already)...Not to get overly confident, as anything could still happen, but I expect this deal to go through and Seattle will get the Sonics back. (A complete total turnaround from when I first heard of this, but hooray!) After some thought, about 10 seconds of it actually, this is also a Portland story. It would renew a great rivalry, and would put to rest any thought of Allen moving the Blazers north.
I believe this story may play out over a number of weeks, but no later than March 1st, the deadline to move a franchise. I still think the original story is correct, Seattle will regain the Sonics, via Sacramento, and the NBA will return to the Jet City.
While the "sonic" name is legendary, it was based on a failed Boeing program for Supersonic aircraft. I have no strong opinion here, but should the new team adopt a new name? Something to think about, if not now, or when the inevitable new team enters the market? There was never a SuperSonic plane by Boeing, but the Concourde did exist, but failed. Thoughts?
If Seattle DOES get an NBA team back,
you CAN'T replace them being again 'The Supersonics' -- no way....
Seattle kept the naming right for 'Sonics' and 'SuperSonics.' That's why OKC changed to 'The Thunder.'
Paul - the team will most certainly adopt the SuperSonics/Sonics name, logo, and I presume the history and statistics (although the Kings have been around a long time as well, maybe combine the two?) The 1979 NBA Championship banner will once again hang from the rafters; that's something the Kings can't boast at all, as the franchise has never won a title.
As Trix said, Seattle kept the naming rights, the Green and Gold, and the banner. That was negotiated between Clay Bennett and Seattle.
I'm hopeful, yet as a longstanding Seattle sports fan (and a Coug), I always expect the other shoe to drop.
The team did win an NBA title... as the Rochester (NY) Royals in 1951 (so yeah, most likely not in our lifetimes). When the NBA was down to 8 teams in the late 1950s/early 1960s, the Royals were one of them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Basketball_Association_seasons#List
The Kings have been in Sacramento since 1985.
I stand corrected. I knew they never won one in Sacramento, or their previous stop of Kansas City. Their title only came 21 years before I did, hah.
I remember when Kansas City and Omaha both claimed the Kings. I believe most games were played in KC, but Omaha hosted many home games as well. What a bad marketing idea.
BTW, my idea of changing the name was tongue in cheek, but I didn't make that clear. I was really just trying to rile up the thread. Of course, the Sonic name would continue. I was just playin' there.
Latest, a new deal for Sactown. Wonder if this is for real. Seems quite ambitious.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/12/5109940/group-plans-to-buy-kings-and-build.html
Today, the Sea Times reporting the relocation committee has been given the details of the Seattle offer. This thing may come to a quick conclusion. (Note the reference to the Seahawk season ending before any announcement)
http://seattletimes.com/html/nba/2020133552_kings15.html
Unconfirmed sources say that the Sacramento to Seattle deal will be confirmed Tuesday.
I'll wait for it to be confirmed before getting too excited.
Well since it is Seattle, they should just keep the Kings name, but of course they would have to change to logo to the more PC silhouette of MLK.
NOW it is:
http://seattletimes.com/html/sports/2020180184_kingsdealxml.html
NOtalent, Seattle reserved the rights to the logo and colors for the Sonics.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/sacramento-kings-sale-maloofs-seattle-supersonics-012013
The deal announced makes the return of the Sonics nearly complete. However, Sacramento has the right to counter-offer. The question now becomes can Sacramento get the right investors together PLUS an approved deal for a new arena before the NBA approves the Hansen deal. Likely not, but this is not a 100% done deal quite yet.
Always researching...I came across a few interesting connections between the Kings and the apparent new Sonics. First, Bill Russell was supposedly the savior of the Sonics in '73 when he became coach and GM for the team. That lasted four years. Russell coached the Kings in the 80's for one season.
Also, Isiah Thomas, Husky sensation and former Tacoma high school player, is currently part of the Kings and would be coming home.
Paul -we'd also be inheriting the biggest knucklehead in the league currently, DeMarcus Cousins.
It is my understanding he only has one year left on his contract. Perhaps, if all goes well, the Sonics give him a chance, but then it would be easy to do what they need to do.
Gawd, I'm getting excited about this, as an 11 year old falling asleep to Bob Blackburn (a compliment, really!).
Looking forward to hearing Kevin Calabro back in the saddle.
But back down to earth. All this looks good, but isn't final. There are still a couple of steps to cross. I think Seattle can cross them, but again, I won't believe anything until it is certain.
I'll believe it when it happens. As a Seattle sports fan, and a Coug, I just expect the other shoe to drop at all times.
Kevin Calabro is the absolute best in the business. Bar none. I would listen to that man do PxP of grass growing.
Can Sacramento mayor (and former Phoenix Suns All-Star point guard) Kevin Johnson get a conglomerate together, and stadium financing in place, in time? The clock is ticking. The Maloofs are throwing in the towel. ALL of that is in place in Seattle, and approval of the relocation for 2013-2014 is all but certain by the league. Even with that Benedict Arnold asshole Clay Bennett heading up the relocation committee.
Uh huh. Or as the kids say, "this".
Stern is on board for the relocation and when asked if he had talked to Kevin Johnson about the Kings leaving and he asked when Sactown could file papers for another team relocating to Suckramento. Stern was quoted as saying "as soon as the season is over." So it looks like Sactown has given up....
The correct spelling is "Sacratomato". Just ask anyone in San Raquel. 
Well, I call it SUCKramento because there really isn't anything good about it. I go there 3-4 times a year and over the last 10 years it's just gotten 500% worse in that 10 years. But so has Fresno, LA, Phoenix and a handful of other cities I travel too.
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