Updated Jan 28, 2013 - 2:33 pm
Sacramento 'whale' watch: Fitness magnate meets with Kings investors, mayor
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Mastrov, the founder of 24 Hour Fitness, gathered Monday with the business leaders who each committed $1 million to help buy the team, the Sacramento Bee reported.
Mastrov is reportedly in serious talks with billionaire Ron Burkle to partner on a bid to buy the Kings and build a new downtown arena to keep the team from moving to Seattle.
Burkle, co-owner of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, met last week with NBA Commissioner David Stern in New York, numerous sources said. He also reportedly met with Johnson.
Mastrov reportedly lost out in a 2010 bid to buy the NBA's Golden State Warriors.
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said last week he expects to introduce several major equity partners to lead the effort to purchase the Kings from the Maloof family. The NBA has promised he can present a counter-offer at the league's Board of Governors meeting in April.
NBA insider Kevin Pelton with ESPN tells the Luke Burbank Show anyone who thinks they know what's going to happen is simply guessing, because the league owners can ultimately do whatever they want.
"It's fundamentally the right of sports leagues, they've they've maintained they've been able to approve or turn down offers for other teams within the league." In other words, even if Hansen has an exclusive deal with the Maloofs, the owners can veto it.
Pelton says it's an essentially unprecedented situation, and predicting an outcome is impossible because although the league has been historically reluctant to block a sale unless finances are an issue, it's also reluctant to have franchises move (excluding Seattle, where the city refused to fund a new arena.)
Ultimately, Pelton says he wouldn't be surprised to see the matter end up in court, with Hansen potentially suing Sacramento for interfering with a legally binding contract.
Follow Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
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Jarhead0228 wrote...Lawsuit?January 28, 2013 1:43 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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clevesside wrote...I fear the new owner of the Kings.....January 28, 2013 4:19 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Brian Oblivion wrote...It's too bad...January 28, 2013 4:35 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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CH wrote...Breaking News :January 28, 2013 5:03 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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Newton wrote...Please Stay in SacramentoJanuary 28, 2013 9:48 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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ktrenhed wrote...What is your definition of...January 28, 2013 10:44 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Lessmith50 wrote...NewtonJanuary 29, 2013 7:36 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Sean wrote...Not to mention...January 29, 2013 7:31 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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Fuego wrote...Kind of funnyJanuary 29, 2013 7:51 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Jarhead0228 wrote...Actually need to get your facts straight...........January 29, 2013 8:37 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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sled_dawg wrote...(excluding Seattle, where the city refused to fund a new arena.)January 29, 2013 9:45 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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