Representatives of the city of Sacramento, the NBA and major arena operator AEG will meet in Dallas on Wednesday, according to Rob McAllister of KFBK Radio, to work on a deal to build a new facility to host the Kings in California's capital. Notably absent from that meeting: anyone from the Kings' management or ownership group.
NBA, Not Maloofs, To Negotiate New Sacramento Kings Arena Deal With City, AEG
The NBA will be represented by a different owner, Clay Bennett of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Bennett, interestingly enough, chaired the relocation committee that, after visits to Sacramento and talks with Anaheim in April, recommended to commissioner David Stern that the Kings' relocation bid to Orange County be denied. Bennett also, of course, has the most recent experience of all NBA owners in relocation and arena deals, having taken the SuperSonics out of Seattle in 2008.
The Maloofs have not been in New York City participating in NBA lockout talks, and have not attended any public meetings at which the arena was discussed in Sacramento. Gavin Maloof, the more well-known member of the family, was in Sacramento for much of June as the Kings prepared for the 2011 NBA Draft.
The city has until March 1, 2012, to put an arena plan in place; otherwise, the Maloofs have indicated that the NBA will approve a relocation application.
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