sac_kings.jpg
The source also said the Maloof family would have no ownership stake or decision-making ability within the franchise under the reported deal. (AP Photo/File)

"Done Deal": New report says Sacramento Kings sold to Seattle, Maloofs out

BY MyNorthwest.com  on January 11, 2013 @ 10:14 am (Updated: 5:09 pm - 1/11/13 )

Following days of speculation that the Sacramento Kings would be sold to investor Chris Hansen to bring an NBA team to Seattle, several new, unconfirmed reports say its a done deal.

Comcast Sportsnet NBA analyst Matt Steinmetz tells 710 ESPN's Bob and Groz Show he's learned from a "reliable source" that the Kings sale to the Hansen-Ballmer group is done, and that the Maloof family would have no ownership stake or decision-making ability within the franchise under the alleged deal.

Related: Architects unveil new Seattle arena designs showcasing light, color

"I can't tell you that the papers have been signed. I can tell you that they have a handshake deal at the very least," Steinmetz says.

The Maloofs will sell the Kings for a hefty $525 million, Real GM Wiretap reports.

"This thing, if it isn't signed will be signed this weekend and something will likely be announced early next week," Steinmetz says.

Eric Rose, the spokesperson for the Maloof family, said Friday they have no comment on the new reports.

"Nothing has changed with our position that we will not comment on rumors or speculation about the Sacramento Kings franchise."

Despite Steinmetz insistence a deal is imminent, another report surfaced Friday that the founder of 24 Hour Fitness was interested in buying the team and keeping it in Sacramento.

"Definitely, there've been conversations," Mark Mastrov, who lost out in bidding for the NBA's Golden State Warriors, told CBSSports.com Friday. Mastrov said from his northern California office. "Definitely, there's interest in acquiring the team and keeping it in Sacramento."

The report says Mastrov met with the Maloofs recently, and made a formal offer, according to two league sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

AP sources said Wednesday Investor Chris Hansen had contacted the Maloof family about buying the Sacramento Kings, setting up the possibility of the NBA's return to Seattle.

Hansen's interest was confirmed by people with knowledge of the situation. They spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because no deal had been reached.

Spokespeople for Hansen and the NBA also refused to comment on the latest report.

Meantime, The Sacramento Bee reports Richard Benvenuti, a limited partner in the Kings, says he has not been informed of any sale.

The Kings' future in Sacramento has been uncertain because the Maloofs and the city haven't been able to come up with a long-term arena solution.

Rumors began circulating on Wednesday that a deal was close between the King's ownership and a Seattle investment group including Chris Hansen, Steve Ballmer, and members of the Nordstrom family.

Yahoo! Sports reported Wednesday a possible sale could land the Kings in Seattle for the 2013-14 season, where the team would play at KeyArena as a temporary home until a new arena is constructed.

A dizzying day of conflicting reports Wednesday ultimately left unsure of whether a deal was actually in the works. Some of the Maloof's past unpredictable dealings made many skeptical that the sale to Seattle was a done deal.

Hansen, a Seattle native and San Francisco-based investor, reached agreement with local governments in Seattle last October on plans to build a $490 million arena near the city's other stadiums, CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field. As part of the agreement, no construction will begin until all environmental reviews are completed and a team has been secured.

Hansen's goal has been to return the SuperSonics to the Puget Sound after they were moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008.

While there have been plenty of conflicting reports throughout the week, Steinmetz defends his source and is confident the deal is imminent.

"My guy is familiar with what is going on and if he thought we were still at the point where the Maloofs could change their mind he just wouldn't have said it was done. I just don't believe he would have said that."

Steinmetz says Hansen's offer sparked an intense dispute within the family, but that "cooler heads" prevailed with the realization the Maloofs couldn't afford to hold on to the franchise any longer given their financial struggles.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
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Comments (29)


  • Add A Comment

  • Hakuzen wrote...
    Time for CH...
    January 11, 2013 10:04 am
    To make another uninformed and completely ignorant statement that has no basis whatsoever in reality. The results of having a room temperature IQ.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sfk360 wrote...
    Hakuzen
    January 11, 2013 10:14 am
    Good call, so predictable.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SONICSFEVER wrote...
    So Excited!
    January 11, 2013 10:32 am
    I'm Pumped. Looks like Sonic Fever is back! www.sonicsfever.com is already up.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sambra27 wrote...
    At least get a picture from this season...
    January 11, 2013 10:40 am
    Nikola Vucevic doesn't play for the Sixers anymore. Yup. Seattle is GETTING THE NBA BACK and that's all I have to say! This is awesome! And no Maloofs!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • C"mon Man wrote...
    Will be exciting.....................
    January 11, 2013 10:53 am
    To watch lower Queen Anne business' thrive again!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    I hope you folks go to the games this time.
    January 11, 2013 11:28 am
    Unless you want them to bail again. I have a problem with paying money to watch a bunch of 1% ers playing a game so I won't be there.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ceej22 wrote...
    LOL are you serious?
    January 11, 2013 1:34 pm
    Attendance wasn't the problem. The problem was Stern and Bennett wanted the people to pay for a new arena and the people said no.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TwoTrees wrote...
    Chris Hansen to lackey: "No, no...bring the BIG check book! We're buying us a team today!"
    January 11, 2013 11:44 am
    Good luck to Mr. Hansen.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    How do you know that Balmer and Hansen
    January 11, 2013 11:55 am
    won't be worse than the Maloofs?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Shplunker wrote...
    Why...and who really cares?
    January 11, 2013 12:04 pm
    On top of the fact there's no players left worth being a fan of.....(go ahead pick a thug....or a Euro player who's name you can't pronounce) the NBA in general sucks. Competition is decreasing, NBA attendance is declining and while owners blame the economy, the simple fact is that in a 30-team league, 23 teams have no chance at winning the championship from the moment the season tips off.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • El Duderino wrote...
    Shplunker said it
    January 11, 2013 3:49 pm
    "On top of the fact there's no players left worth being a fan of.....(go ahead pick a thug....or a Euro player who's name you can't pronounce) the NBA in general sucks. Competition is decreasing, NBA attendance is declining and while owners blame the economy, the simple fact is that in a 30-team league, 23 teams have no chance at winning the championship from the moment the season tips off." Exactly
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • flipper wrote...
    Just as long as...
    January 11, 2013 12:44 pm
    ...we don't have to have another team with Purple as their main color. Legacy Sonic colors are fine (Green/Gold) and Legacy Kings Colors are fine (Red/White/Blue). But PLEEEEEZE get rid of the *&^% purple!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleFan67 wrote...
    SPOILER ALERT!
    January 11, 2013 2:19 pm
    The Maloof family had a "handshake" agreement last year with the City of Sacramento to partner on the building of a new arena. I do not trust the Maloofs and would advise all Sonic fans to wait until the ink is dry and not rely on reports based on information from "sources." We don't know who these sources are, nor do we know whether the Maloofs might reneg on another handshake agreement. Be wary...be very very wary!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    I Would Have To Agree...........
    January 11, 2013 3:28 pm
    I wouldn't be high fivin until you see the moving trucks roll into the parking lot.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • NNeelix wrote...
    Even then...
    January 11, 2013 4:43 pm
    I wouldn't call it done. Ask Ken Behring about how his attempted move the Seahawks to LA went. I actually think this is a done deal however. The Maloof's cant afford a NBA franchise and HAVE to sell the team, the only question is to who. My money is on Chris Hansen and Co over some last minute heroics from the owner of fitness chain.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }