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Sacramento Floats Cruise Ships To Boost Hotel Space For 2020 NBA All-Star Game Bid

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The Sacramento Kings are making plans to bring the NBA All-Star Game to town in 2020.

Documents show the organization is putting together a proposal and application to try and get the star-studded event to Sacramento.

One of the major setbacks the city faces when hosting a national event is providing enough quality hotel space. The NBA has said that would be a hurdle for Sacramento in its bid to host an All-Star Game, which is why some innovative minds are looking to the waterways for their answers.

Five miles from the downtown, the Port of West Sacramento sits open for business.

"It opens the door for opportunity and possibility," said Mike Testa with Visit Sacramento.

The 30-foot deep port and 40-mile channel primarily serves the rice industry, but years from now, could also provide a much needed space for hotel rooms.

"When you go after large events that have tens of thousands of delegates, obviously those folks need a place to stay," said Testa about the need for hotel rooms in Sacramento and the surrounding area.

Testa says the city has about 11,000 hotel rooms, large national events sometimes require double that amount.

"When you're looking to supplement the number of permanent hotel rooms in the market, you get creative," said Testa.

According to letters CBS13 obtained from West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon and the port commission to the National Basketball Association, the Kings Organization appears to be putting together a proposal to get the 2020 All Star game.

When it comes to hotel space, one letter states the port is prepared to accommodate "medium-sized cruise ships."

"That appears to be feasible," said West Sacramento City Manager Martin Tuttle.

He made the brief announcement at the end of last week's council meeting.

"If that occurs in 2020 we have the green light to run a cruise ship up here and that could be a hotel related venue for an all-star game," said Tuttle.

It's not a new idea for major sporting events. The city of Jacksonville, Florida docked several cruise ships in its port to bolster hotel space for the 2005 Super bowl.

It's a welcomed idea that has both Sacramento and West Sacramento on board.

"For our sales team it gives us the opportunity to go after some larger pieces of business," said Testa.

The Kings organization wouldn't confirm their efforts until late Thursday, saying, "We are currently exploring all of our options, at the Port and elsewhere.  We are excited to begin the formal process with the League."

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