It has been no secret for quite sometime that the NBA's Sacramento Kings have wanted out of that city. Instead of relocating to Anaheim as a rumored 3rd NBA franchise in the Los Angeles market behind the Lakers & Clippers, or perhaps moving to Seattle where a proposed new arena could be in the cards to land a new NBA or NHL team in the "Emerald City", might the Kings be headed east instead?

According to insidebiz.com, the Maloof family, the current owners of the Kings, and Philadelphia-based Comcast are expected to meet with city officials about a proposed move of the NBA franchise to Virginia Beach, VA. You read that right. Virginia Beach, VA.

The report suggests that Comcast, which currently owns NBC & Global Spectrum, owner/operator of many arenas, will guarantee a 25-year lease for naming rights, as well as broadcast the team's games.

The Kings have been looking to move since a reported $391 million new entertainment complex to stay in Sacramento, the team's home since moving from Kansas City, MO in 1985, fell through 3 months ago. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former point guard for the Phoenix Suns, has tried to keep the franchise in California's capital. In the following article, the Maloofs explain why they've got zero confidence in negotiating with Sacramento's Mayor and how a proposed new arena would be paid for.

http://insidebiz.com/news/sources-sacra ... deal-works

The Maloof's (and all team owners) should pay for their own damn arenas. Fuck them. Enjoy Virginia.

going to VA would be one more good step towards finally seeing some contraction in the NBA...

_________________
Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

When I first read the story, I knew the Sacramento Kings weren't happy about their current lease. They've wanted out of the capital of California for quite sometime and that arena of theirs, which used to be called ARCO Arena and was recently renamed as Power Balance Pavilion, appears to be outdated in comparison to newer arenas that have opened around the NBA in recent years.

During the lockout, there was talk about the Kings relocating to Anaheim, which sounded kinda strange considering that Los Angeles already has 2 NBA franchises, not to mention sharing the same STAPLES Center in the Lakers & Clippers. There's also been talk about Seattle, which got stripped of the Sonics in a controversial move and are now known as the Oklahoma City Thunder, wants back into the NBA and is prepared to build a new 23,000 seat arena that could also host an NHL team. Right now, I'm not sure where things stand there.

I do think the NBA needs to contract and get rid of franchises that fans won't support. The Charlotte Bobcats? The New Orleans Hornets? The Toronto Raptors? Until maybe 2 years ago, you probably could build a case to remove the Memphis Grizzlies, if the NBA wanted to remove those franchises that are struggling, not just on the court but as far as the team's bottom line is concerned, too.

I think this was debunked already.

_________________

ESPN/ABC's Darren Rovell tweeted a short time ago...

Rovell: "Sacramento talk to Virginia Beach is funny because area was hottest sports franchise free agent in the late 90s but was forgotten."

Was Rovell referring to an area known more for hurricanes than anything else?

That sounds ridiculous.