Sacramento takes another step to save Kings
Feb 15, 2012, 6:54 AM | Updated: 9:56 am
Seattle’s hopes of landing the Sacramento Kings took a minor setback Tuesday night.
With a unanimous vote, the Sacramento City Council authorized staff to enter detailed talks with 11 private companies interested in running public parking structures. The city is counting on those lease agreements to raise nearly half of the $387 million for a new sports and entertainment arena.
Speaking with 710 ESPN Seattle’s “Bob and Groz” Tuesday, Think Big Sacramento’s Jeremiah Jackson insisted an arena deal will come together to save the Kings.
“It really is in Sacramento’s court,” said Jackson. “The city controls its own destiny. That being said, our focus is on getting this deal done, and not worrying about the rumors from Anaheim or Seattle.”
California hedge-fund manager Christopher Hansen is buying property in Seattle’s SoDo district, and wants to build a new arena to house the Kings and possibly a National Hockey League team.
Jackson sent an open letter to Hansen this week basically telling him to stay away from the Kings. Jackson wrote, “Seattle, of all places should be sensitive to such predatory behavior.”
Seattle lost the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City in 2008.
In approving deeper talks with those parking firms, Sacramento mayor and former NBA player Kevin Johnson has more support to come up with an arena financing plan. The NBA wants to see that blueprint by March 1.
The league gave Sacramento a one-year grace period after the Kings nearly moved south to Anaheim, Calif. That city already has a new arena up and is ready to host professional basketball.
