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 Linda Thomas
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Kings.jpg
While Sonics fans believe Kings will be playing in Seattle after the sale is complete to Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer, Kings fans in Sacramento believe they have a shot at keeping the team they've had for 28 years. (Kelly L. Cox photo)

Microsoft wants nothing to do with the Sacramento Kings sale

January 29, 2013 @ 2:31 am (Updated: 1:03 pm - 1/29/13 )

In case California politicians are wondering - and they are according to a terse letter sent last week - Microsoft has nothing to do with the possible purchase of the Sacramento Kings NBA team.

Last week a California politician called for a review of the company's technology contracts with his state.

California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg raised concerns last week about Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's involvement in the proposed purchase of the Kings.

"I cannot stand idly by while a prominent out-of-state company that has significantly profited from business with the State of California actively attempts to acquire and remove one of my State and my region's leading private assets," Steinberg wrote.

Ballmer is part of investor Chris Hansen's proposed agreement with the team's owners to buy a majority stake in the Kings for $341 million, based on a franchise valuation of $525 million.

Microsoft wants to make it clear that Ballmer's investment in the NBA team has nothing to do with the software company.

"The effort to build a new professional sports arena in Seattle was initiated and is led by San Francisco-based developer, Chris Hansen, who has announced a number of investors, including Steve Ballmer. Microsoft Corporation is not involved in the effort," Microsoft says in a statement to The Sacramento Bee newspaper.

Here is the full letter from the state senator to the head of the California Department of General Services:

I read with distress recent media accounts reporting that Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corporation, is actively engaged in discussions and may now have a general agreement to purchase NBA's Sacramento Kings -- a franchise which has generated significant jobs and revenue for both our region and the State of California for 27 years -- and move it to another state.

If true, I am troubled that a company and a CEO that has for so long enjoyed a prosperous and beneficial working relationship with the State of California and its taxpayers would blatantly engage in activities which are clearly and measurably detrimental to our State's job and revenue base - not to mention use profits earned through business with our State to appropriate a California-based asset.

As a legislative leader with direct budget authority, I'm obviously concerned about what impact these events might have on state and regional revenue, as well as our recovering economy.

I would appreciate your help - as the director of the department in charge of most state procurement - in obtaining some information that in light of these reports is certainly relevant to California taxpayers, particularly those in the Sacramento region. Specifically:

- How many technology contracts and at what total cost to state taxpayers does Microsoft Corporation currently have with the State of California?

-In total dollars, how much has the State of California paid Microsoft Corporation for its products and services over the last 10 years?

- Can you send my office terms of contracts and representations made by Microsoft Corporation regarding their contracts with the State?

-To your knowledge, does any other state in the United States pay more annually to Microsoft Corporation for products and services than the State of California?

- What is Microsoft Corporation's record of performance with the State of California?

As a state legislator, I am well aware that I have no direct role in the day-to-day management of the State's technology procurement processes, but I cannot stand idly by while a prominent out-of-state company that has significantly profited from business with the State of California actively attempts to acquire and remove one of my State and my region's leading private assets.

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance in responding to this information request. Please do not hesitate to contact my office to discuss this issue in more detail.

Sincerely,

DARRELL STEINBERG Senate President pro Tempore State of California 6th Senate District cc: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. Secretary Anna Caballero, State and Consumer Services Agency

There are more signs deep-pocketed investors are getting behind Sacramento's efforts to stop the sale of the Sacramento Kings to Chris Hansen, after fitness magnate Mark Mastrov met Monday with Sacramento business leaders and the city's Mayor, Kevin Johnson.

By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (35)


  • Add A Comment

  • Amorget wrote...
    Wow...
    January 29, 2013 6:45 am
    California sure elects some dumb ones, too....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Largent803 wrote...
    No wonder California is in Fiscal Ruins
    January 29, 2013 11:07 am
    Just looking at California and the reasons they are in trouble financially. You can see it by the stupid comments this congressman made he doesn't really know anything. He is just trying to save face.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 2112 wrote...
    California is in Fiscal ruins
    January 29, 2013 3:27 pm
    Because the Public sector unions call all the shots. They spend every nickel during boom times and fleece the taxpayer when the economy cycles downward. You know, like here in the People's Republic of Washington.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cash wrote...
    HAHA what a dope...
    January 29, 2013 6:54 am
    I think if I were Microsoft I would send them a photo of my middle finger and cut the entire state off of all Microsoft products and support period. See how you like them apples you sore loser. Oh yea if you want to keep the Kings then buy them yourself.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Truthteller101 wrote...
    WoW!
    January 29, 2013 7:02 am
    If we are trying to punish investors I guess everyone in Seattle should boycott 24 Hour Fitness if the deal falls through? This is the pattern of thought here isn't it?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lessmith50 wrote...
    truthteller101
    January 29, 2013 7:23 am
    Great Point maybe we all in the State of Washington should boycott 24 hour fitness. Like its some great gym anyway.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lessmith50 wrote...
    Wow
    January 29, 2013 7:21 am
    If I was the head of Microsoft I would just send a nice little letter back and say starting Monday we are leaving the State of California. We no longer need or want to do business with cry babies. CYA California. See how fast that dumb A55 politician does the backstroke. FOOL!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • nwhandy wrote...
    Sheeesh!
    January 29, 2013 7:25 am
    Are these people six years old? Their attitude says they are. Basically it's "I don't like losing, so you must be cheating and I'm gonna tell". Grow up and join the real world, where you can't always get what you want.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Curt R. wrote...
    no sympathy left
    January 29, 2013 7:29 am
    Any sympathy i had for the Sacramento fans living through what we did a few years just went away. This letter from a California politician makes me just say yank the team from Sacramento right now!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HockeyMom wrote...
    Sympathy for fans
    January 29, 2013 8:13 am
    Unfortunately, Curt....the fans are just stuck in the middle of this. The fans are the ones acting a fool. It's folks like this politician. I can even respect the Mayor for trying everything to keep the team there for the fans and the community. But jokers like this guys make the entire State look bad. The Maloofs could learn alot from how the Hawks run their organization. They make the fans feel part of things and appreciated. Something the Kings fans have not been getting.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    maybe the State of California will ditch Windows
    January 29, 2013 7:35 am
    in favor of that Apple OS and Enterprise level business applications.

    oh wait, Apple doesn't make Enterprise level business applications.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rainierdad wrote...
    Wow
    January 29, 2013 9:04 am
    This really smacks of desperation.....it really does. I mean....I kind of see where the guy is coming from.....but it's grasping at straws. But on the flip side.....is it hypocritical of me to say that the letter is really stupid, when I boycotted Starbucks when the Sonics were sold to that flat topped liar from OKC? lol.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cheezbawl1 wrote...
    worry not
    January 29, 2013 9:27 am
    please you need not worry polititons never get anything done.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Roark wrote...
    I think this borders on blackmail by this CA politician
    January 29, 2013 9:32 am
    He's threatening use of his power as a CA office holder, to cause a private individual to change his private business dealings by withholding business form the company where that private individual works. I'm pretty sure that's at the very least unethical, if not outright illegal.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }