link Kings To Anaheim? 26th February, 2006 - 11:20 am NY Daily News - Having their bid for a new arena rejected more than once by Sacramento voters, Kings owners Gavin and Joe Maloof have quietly let it be known that they'd like to relocate to Anaheim. In Orange County, the Maloofs would be closer to their operations in Las Vegas. They already have plans to use an Anaheim location to drive their marketing for their hotel and casino, The Palms. That includes giving high-rollers use of luxury suites for Kings games and also having plenty of signage in the arena for their Vegas enterprises. The Maloofs can easily afford the franchise transfer fee, which experts say will be at least double the $30 million the Hornets paid the league to flee Charlotte for New Orleans. But the Maloofs will face strong opposition from the Lakers and Clippers, who will fight a third team entering what they consider their backyard. Of all teams .... The KINGS in LA?
how about the "mighty kings of anaheim" ....there´s absolutley no need for another team in the la area.
Don't belive anything a new york paper reports it is all very sensational to sell as many copies as possible since they compete with many other papers.
OC Kings - if they wanted to go with the Orange County Name I could see all the gang related stuff "OCK" lol
The story is legitimate. It's being talked about in the Sacramento media. There is also talk of the Sonics moving to San Jose.
Yeah, two pro sports teams with the same name in the same city is ridiculous. Sincerely, The St. Louis Cardinals
Well, it lasted for 27 years, so it couldn't have been THAT bad... Personally, I always thought that the Clippers should play in Anaheim. They used to play a few home games each year in Anaheim back when they were horrible and had good crowds. I'm sure the Maloofs could put up enough money to convince Stern to let the Kings relocate the Vegas... Kings fans need to get their heads out of their asses, though. You could probably count on one hand the number of pro sports stadium/arenas that are privately financed. That's just the way it is these days.
If I'm the Maloofs, i try and hold on until after the Vegas Allstar game and make the pitch for moving the team there afterwards, that is if no incidents occur involving players there.
in today's world of marketing and corporate identity, it ain't happening. teams sue to keep other teams out of their area...how much more so when a team shares your very name? i don't know the history of st. louis with its teams...but i know that it wasn't nearly the business back then that it is today. the LA Kings would freak out if the Sac Kings moved to town...they would say that the name creates confusion in a geographic location they've been at in the very same industry for years. they'd be right.
True, but it's also a fact that the board of goveners are not going to support either relocation. The 3 other Cali owners are not going to let it happen.
Well, the Maloofs could always say that since their team has had the name "Kings" for a longer period of time (going all the way back to KC), it has a more historical significance, and thus shouldn't be changed.
Even scarier....both Kings franchises have the same colors, Purple, Black and Silver.....except the NBA Kings have that gold jersey for no reason. Seriously though, if the Kings move, it will be to either: 1. Kansas City where the new Sprint Center is being built. It will open in 2007 and hass all the big league amenities, except a pro sports team to call it home. In fact, Sprint Center's interior looks almost exacly like Toyota Center's interior....both arena's were designed by the same architect, HOK Sport.... 2. Las Vegas, where the Maloofs would want there team to be. Its also one of the fastest growing markets in the NBA. And given the fact that the city is literally chasing professional sports franches to relocate here (like the Marlins) it should be very easy to get an arena built here....maybe even privately financed with all the deep pockets in town. But alas, Lord David Stern will have something to say about this....... 3. OKC....given there success with the Hornets, if the Hornets choose to gut it out in the city formerly known as New Orleans, OKC could be a viable option. But I doubt this happens.....the Hornets will "retry N.O." then bolt for OKC. Also, Seattle and Orlando are having trouble getting new arenas in there city's so keep a watch on them too. Stern was just in Seattle this week stumping for a new arena or renovation of Key Arena. Orlando's efforts for a new downtown arena have failed thus far.....but a new plan has surface for an arena as part of an entertainment complex near the Disney complex.
