AP: c7eb3967-b588-407f-ae24-da00d473e90d
The mayor of Sacramento continues to take calls from wealthy, potential investors, hoping to save the city's NBA team. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
The mayor of Sacramento says a number of deep-pocketed potential investors are expressing serious interest in helping form a group to buy the Kings and keep them in Sacramento.

Mayor Kevin Johnson told a news conference Wednesday afternoon he's been contacted by "more than two" people or groups who might want to buy the Kings and build a new downtown arena. He wouldn't offer details and said he hopes to announce who they are sometime next week.

"We have had serious discussions and we're making considerable progress but I do want to respect the nature of those discussion and not really get into that at this particular time," said Johnson.

Multiple reports surfaced overnight Wednesday that Ron Burkle, the billionaire owner of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, and 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov were seriously interested in partnering to help buy the Kings.

Johnson said a number of unnamed business people indicate the city can support a new downtown arena even without an NBA franchise, which reinforces his argument the city is a strong home for the league and strengthens a potential counter offer he said would be "competitive" with the $525 million deal already in place to sell a majority stake in the team to Chris Hansen and his Seattle investors.

Johnson pointed out the NBA recently approved the sale of the Golden State Warriors to businessman Joe Lacob, even though he was outbid by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, because the league determined he was the best fit.

"There's reason to believe the deepest pockets don't always end up the winning bidder."

Johnson said he plans to speak with NBA Commissioner David Stern Thursday to update him on the status of Sacramento's efforts to field a new ownership group and keep the Kings.

"We know we have to be fair and competitive. When you look a the deal structure, there's so many dollars and things that may or may not be included we just don't know that yet," Johnson said.

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Comments (12)


  • Add A Comment

  • bmaddy wrote...
    Keep the Hype up!
    January 23, 2013 2:28 pm
    Shat or get off the pot already!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sfk360 wrote...
    My response
    January 23, 2013 2:31 pm
    Me: Cool story bro. Too late.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dbara43 wrote...
    What The Desert Princess Fails to Deal with...
    January 23, 2013 2:52 pm
    Is that no Sacramento group has a purchase and sale agreement with the Maloof's. Without one, there is no chance for another group to come in and beat out Hansen's bid. You cannot force a business owner to sell to someone he doesn't want to do business with. That would be racketeering. And if Hansen has half the brains he appears to have, there would be a clause in the agreement that would pay his group substantial damages if the Maloof's were to pull out of the signed agreement to consider another bid. What Johnson should have been doing for the last year is putting this group together FAST and making the kind of offer Hansen has already got a signed agreement on. Ultimately the NBA will never decide between Seattle and Sacramento. they will only decide if Hansen has a valid sale agreement (hint: he does). My guess is that the vote will be 29-0 when it goes down.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Juust wrote...
    Minority Rejection power
    January 25, 2013 9:23 am
    The only reason I clicked into this article is that it reported minority holders in the Franchise have the power to reject a deal. Wouldn't that mean it's ultimately in their hands? No one wants to lose money in this case, but the fans in Sac definitely want to keep the franchise there.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HawksIN wrote...
    Expansion
    January 23, 2013 5:14 pm
    I know this is far fetched. But I'm still hoping somehow Sacramento can keep the Kings and Seattle gets an expansion team. Would be nice to start from scratch. Then There wouldn't be the mishmash of records split between the Sonics and Kings. Just Sonics!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Hawkman wrote...
    No NFC title and No Kings..
    January 23, 2013 5:33 pm
    nice comment from a group of misfits. The arm pit of California trying to take credit for the Niners and trying after many attempts to save their team from leaving to a much better market. They are sold, deal signed and money changed hands, now lets go to mommy and daddy and ask them to keep them in town. Whaaa.If the NBA even conciders it, it would the last time the NBA will see Seattle a market that would want them. After what they did to Seattle and now we follow all protocals and they rip it from us agian, they will lose a lot of fans around these parts.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Ball ready to be spiked -
    January 23, 2013 5:51 pm
    Go Kings!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    Notice the sign in the background?
    January 23, 2013 7:38 pm
    "No NFC title"

    Wrong! Did you overlook 2006?

    "No Kings"

    Wrong again in more than 1 way! Did you overlook the fact that the original and almost accepted name for the Seahawks was the Kings? Also, did you overlook the fact, like it or not, that the Sacramento Kings are heading to Seattle, only to be renamed the Sonics?

    Both "Kings" will be playing in Seattle under more appropriate names in 2013 forward.

    Due your research if you are going to make a big public sign with a statement.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    Rut Roh
    January 23, 2013 7:40 pm
    Do, not "Due".
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • C"mon Man wrote...
    KJ
    January 23, 2013 8:57 pm
    Fails to address what got them to this place.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    My guess
    January 23, 2013 10:22 pm
    Political side-show. The local politicians are being allowed to show their voting NBA fans how much they "care" about the team and community (plus score some $) until the deal to move is oficially announced. Not saying I blame them, just sayin it looks that way.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rainierdad wrote...
    dbara43
    January 24, 2013 9:35 am
    I had the same thought. My understanding is that they have a signed agreement between the Maloofs and Hansen's group. So if KJ and Sac come up with something last minute, isn't it too late. UNLESS.....the board of governers reject the move, causing the sale to back null and void, opening the door for KJ? I don't know....but will be glad when it all goes through one way or the otehr.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }








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