I don't get it either. The Lakers already have their sizable fan base and now with Blake Griffin quickly becoming one of the more popular players in the league, the Clippers will have their fans. There aren't many basketball fans in Orange County that don't already have a team. I would guess that even with the move to Anaheim, many of the fans that watch them on TV and buy their merchandise would be the same fans that have supported them in Sacramento.
This really does suck, I feel sorry for Kings fan. This is some BS Sacramento has had the best fans in the world and this is the thanks the fans get. I hate when teams move, and to top is off the team is moving by LA, man **** LA they have two teams already.
Being from the OC, there are a grip load of Laker fans here. I don't expect to see many diehard Kings/Royals fans at least anytime soon. Plus OC people are bandwagon fans but that is not really a knock on them, its just the culture of the OC(sports is not that important here compared to other areas of the country)I'm kinda mixed on this as well. I don't have to drive all the way to LA so I can see the Rockets in action but I also don't want Sacramento fans to lose their team. Anaheim is definitely a more cash friendly to the Maloofs with the TV deals and bigger market though. Financially, the Maloofs will be fine if they move down here but they will be viewed like the Clippers
LA and OC people/fans dont want the Kings to move down here. This means less revenue for the Lakers and Clippers as the Kings will cut into their markets. If you gotta blame someone, blame the owners or David Stern.
Moving to Anaheim seems like it sets a bad precedent. Stern should tell them that you either go to Seattle, Kansas City, or Vancouver, or you stfu.
As bad as the situation is, its not a done deal apparently. The Lakers and Clips are really fighting this (along with Golden State and the Nets/Knicks) to avoid the precedent of other teams moving into major markets and stealing market share. Also the owners get to decide the relocation fee and if the Clips and Lakers ok a move they'll demand a massive fee in exchange and the maloofs aren't doing so well financially. (why they bought a casino in Las Vegas is beyond me, that's quite possibly one of the dumbest investments you can make) The odds are bad for Sacramento but this isn't clear cut like the Seattle move was. Buss and Sterling will go all out to stop this.
So apparently this thing is starting to look like a train wreck. The Maloofs dont have enough guaranteed votes at the moment and want another extension so they can buy more time to secure votes. Plus some other billionaire has stated that he'll buy the team and keep it in Sacramento if possible.
Stern extended the deadline to apply for a move until May. The situation really does seem to be a huge mess. The Maloofs want to move, but don't want to sell. The NBA wants the status quo or a move with the Maloofs in control. A possible buyer, Ron Burkle, wants to swoop in and keep them in Sacramento, but again, the Maloofs don't want to sell.
They better retire Kevin Johnson's jersey in Sacramento at this rate. That guy singlehandedly bought them time and could potentially keep them there permanently in Sacramento. Sadly most mayors dont care about basketball like he does (for obvious reasons).
There is no way they have enough tax revenue to spend millions more than Anaheim's offer. Most cities and counties are raising taxes or doing mass layoffs of cops and other civil employees, because of budget shortfalls. Sacramento fans won't be so happy, when KJ comes collecting.
Maloofs confirm Kings staying in Sacramento at least one more season. http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/...acramento-for-at-least-one-more-season-050211
