Parallels Made Between Kings And Magic
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Mayor Kevin Johnson and the Maloofs are completely at odds over pre-development dollars. It's money that would be spent on environmental and design work.
The Maloofs say it's not fair to pay $3 million for that, because they'll be tenants and not the owners of the arena. But, taking a look at another facility that was recently built, the tenant did agree to pitch in for this cost.
The city of Orlando built the Amway Center for $480 million and CBS13 has confirmed that the tenant, the Orlando Magic, did provide pre-development dollars as part of the deal.
For now, the NBA will cover the Maloof's share of that cost until the issue is taken up at the NBA board of governor's meeting in New York in mid-April.
All of this has caused Sacramento City Council to question how serious the Maloofs are about building a new arena for the Kings, and Johnson has even started talking about "Plan B," which would involve keeping the Kings in Sacramento, but dealing with a new owner.
The Maloofs have always said the team is not for sale.
"The Maloofs are working to resolve these issues with the city. That's the goal. They are not going to negotiate this deal in the media," a Maloofs spokesperson told CBS13.
He also confirmed the Maloofs will attend the NBA meeting in New York. The NBA says a report on Sacramento's arena will be presented at the board meeting, attended by 30 NBA owners.
