Sacramento Kings Owner, Mayor Take Stand In Trial Over Arena Deal Legality
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Two Sacramento all-stars took the stand in Day 6 of a trial over the legality of a Sacramento Kings arena deal.
Kings owner Vivek Ranadive offered many short answers on the stand, not giving an assist to the plaintiffs.
The lawsuit filed by three Sacramento taxpayers alleges that the city gave up more than the quarter of a billion dollars in land and cash disclosed publicly. They believe Mayor Kevin Johnson also illegally sweetened the deal for Ranadive by offering electronic billboard and city parking revenue.
Ranadive admits he wavered about the financial investment and wanted to make sure the city was committed.
"We were going to put a lot of skin the game, and I just wanted to see that the city was going to put a lot of skin in the game as well," he said.
He testified it would be hard to leave his stake with the Golden State Warriors, but felt compelled to be a part of history.
"If there was a way to save the team and keep it in Sacramento, that would be a good thing to do," he said. "If I could play a role in keeping the team, that would be a noble purpose."
In the end, Ranadive offered very little insight into how the deal was done, but maintains it was legitimate.
"The fact that the council had it within its purview without making a vote was clear," he said.
