Will they stay or will they go? The May 2nd application deadline is fast approaching and all reports have the Kings staying in Sacramento for at least another year. But despite the report by the Los Angeles Times, the fate of the Anaheim Royals rest in the hands of the Maloofs, whom have given no indication of what direction they are leaning towards.
In the past week, relocation committee chairman, Clay Bennett and other league representatives visited Sacramento to verify Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson’s claims of more than $9 million in commitments made to the team, as well as plans for a new downtown arena.
NBA staff members are expected to be in Sacramento today to conduct more research on the corporate commitment. There is no word if the NBA still plans to visit Anaheim, as David Stern stated would occur after the Board of Governor meetings.
The arena is and always has been the main sticking point in negotiations. Even if the franchise doesn’t move this year, there is still a chance that we could see the Anaheim Royals the following year. According to a source close to the situation, if the franchise were to remain in Sacramento in the long-term, plans for a new arena would need to be finalized before March 2012 in order for Kings to remain in Sacramento.
If the Maloofs do decide to file for relocation, the board of governors would have a vote within 120 days on the relocation request with a decision decided by a majority vote of the 30 NBA teams.
