Sacramento Mayor Moving Ahead With Arena Plan Despite Kings Move Rumors
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson says he's moving ahead with plans to build a new entertainment arena despite word that the Kings may be moving.
On a Saturday, NBA commissioner David Stern acknowledged the Kings' owners, the Maloofs, have been in discussions with Anaheim about moving the Kings.
Stern added that he was taking a hands-off approach to the subject, but did say the NBA had no plans to start new arena talks with the city of Sacramento.
"All I'll say is we and they have tried very hard over the years to see whether a new building could be built, and with the collapse of the last attempt, which took a few years and a few million dollars on behalf of the league, I said we're not going to spend any more time on that," Stern said.
Despite that acknowledgment, Mayor Johnson says he isn't aware a deal has been made and until it has, the Kings are still Sacramento's team. Johnson also says he wants to continue the project, even if the Kings do move saying a new arena is about stimulating Sacramento's economy.
Reports have indicated that Lousiville, Seattle and Las Vegas have also expressed interest to the Maloofs about a possible move.
The league has set a deadline of March 1 for a decision to be made on any possible move.
The Maloofs have said they are working with David Taylor, the developer picked by Sacramento officials, to come up with a new arena plan, but that plan could take May to finish.
The Maloofs have not commented on how any negotiations might be proceeding.
