Post by vive123654 on Feb 24, 2014 0:56:32 GMT -5
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is taking his fight to keep the Kings in Californias capital city to NBA owners. Again. Speaking at the annual State of Downtown breakfast on Tuesday, Johnson said he has received approval from NBA Commissioner David Stern to present a counteroffer to the league from buyers who would keep the team in Sacramento. He said the city is in a "six-week sprint" to put together a proposal for the NBAs Board of Governors to consider over a potential sale and relocation to Seattle. The leagues deadline for teams to apply for a move for the next season is March 1, though that has been extended each of the last two years for the Kings. And both times, Johnson -- a former NBA All-Star -- has convinced the league that Sacramento could help fix the franchises financial woes and secure its long-term home in a new arena. "We want this to be the final act of a saga thats gone on for far too long," Johnson said. People with knowledge of the situation said last week that a group led by San Francisco-based investor Chris Hansen, who wants to return the NBA to Seattle, has contacted the Maloof family about buying the Kings. They spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because no deal has been reached. One person said the Kings could sell for more than $500 million, topping the NBA-record $450 million the Golden State Warriors sold for in 2010. Some reports have suggested up to $525 million. The Kings future in Sacramento has been uncertain because the Maloofs and the city havent been able to agree on a deal for a downtown arena. "While I am sensitive to the important role of the news media in informing the public, our position has not changed, we will not comment on rumours or speculation about the future of the Sacramento Kings franchise," Maloof family spokesman Eric Rose said in a statement Tuesday. The NBA declined to comment on Johnsons remarks Tuesday. Hansens goal has been to find a team and restore the SuperSonics name after they were moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008. He reached agreement with local governments in Seattle last October on plans to build a $490 million arena near the citys other stadiums, CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field. As part of the agreement, no construction will begin until all environmental reviews are completed and a team has been secured. Johnson commended Seattles efforts to bring the NBA back to the Puget Sound. He just doesnt want it to be at the expense of Sacramento. "We have a city and a community that have done every single thing that is required," Johnson said. "I hope Seattle gets another team. They deserve another team. They didnt deserve to lose a team in the first place. It just wont be the Sacramento Kings if we have anything to do with it." The Maloofs backed out of a tentative $391 million deal for a new downtown arena with Sacramento last April, reigniting fears the franchise could relocate. The Kings said the deal didnt make financial sense for the franchise. In 2011, the Kings appeared determined to move to Anaheim before Johnson convinced NBA owners at a meeting in New York to give the city one last chance to help finance an arena. That pitch bought Sacramento time, before the brokered deal between the city and the Maloofs -- negotiated by Stern and league lawyers -- fell apart last year. Johnson said the Maloofs could still "participate in some way" in the new local ownership group "if they want to remain a part of this team and this community." The mayor called the potential $500 million to $525 million price tag for the Kings an "outrageous number." He admits potential buyers he could pull together in Sacramento will not top that figure, but he also doesnt believe it has to. Johnson said the Maloof family still must repay a $77 million loan to the city and other lenders if they leave. There also could be a potential relocation fee from the NBA that new owners wouldnt have to pay if the team stayed. Subtracting those totals and adding the "proven support" Kings fans have shown in the past, Johnsons goal is to line up buyers willing to pay about $400 million to $425 million for the team and argue Sacramentos side to the league. "We were there two years ago and we prevailed," Johnson said. "We have a very compelling case." Mario Lemieux Olympic Jersey .65 million contract on Friday. Eller, 23, earned the deal after notching 16 goals and 12 assists for 28 points with the Habs last season. Patrice Bergeron Jersey . Another training session Friday remains on the schedule before Saturdays downhill race. The weekend concludes with a super-G race Sunday. World Cup rules require at least one official training session to be held before a downhill race. www.teamcahockeyjerseyshop.com/Olympic-Martin-Brodeur-Team-Canada-Jersey/ . The 76ers looked like the high-scoring, solid defensive team the brass envisioned when it traded for Andrew Bynum. Drew Doughty Olympic Jersey . Miles Plumlee and rookie Dionte Christmas, 3 for 4 on 3-pointers, added 14 points each. Starting point guard Goran Dragic, who was 0 for 3 in 7 minutes, was the only one of Phoenixs 16 players who did not score. Corey Perry Olympic Jersey . The Red Sox right-hander pitched well enough for Boston to win 9-5 on Wednesday night, improving to 4-0 against the Yankees this season with a 1.EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - The Minnesota Vikings have ruled Christian Ponder out for Sundays game at Baltimore, because the quarterback has not yet passed all of his post-concussion tests. Coach Leslie Frazier said Friday that Ponder will not suit up against the Ravens, with Matt Cassel starting and Josh Freeman backing him up per the plan set at the beginning of the week. This is Ponders third significant injury of the season. He had a broken rib that paved the way for Cassel to start against Pittsburgh on Sept. 29, and dislocated his shoulder at the end of the third quarter against Washington on Nov. 7. Ponder took a hit to the head late in the second quarter last week against Chicago. Running back Adrian Peterson returned to practice Friday after taking the last two days off to rest his sore groin, following the pattern that has developed in the second half of the season to keep him fresh. "No real need to burrst or go 100 miles per hour today, but just something to make him feel comfortable about Sunday," Frazier said.dddddddddddd Peterson was listed as questionable on the injury report, but theres no indication of doubt about the NFLs leading rushers participation in Baltimore. He has 1,208 yards through 12 games. Safety Harrison Smith is still on injured reserve because of the turf toe injury he suffered nearly two months ago, but he practiced all week and is on track to return to the active roster and play Dec. 15 against Philadelphia. Also, wide receiver Greg Childs, working his way back from bilateral patellar tendon tears, took part in consecutive practices this week for the first time. Frazier said hes "really improved." Childs is on the physically unable to perform list, and the Vikings must decide by Monday whether to place him on the active roster, put him on injured reserve or cut him. ' ' '