Grant Napear and his cohort on KHTK, Mike Lamb, have have been spending a lot of time recently on the arena issue (or should we say the dead arena issue).
Both of these broadcasters have blasted the city for its ineptitude. No argument there.
But here's where they both go horribly wrong.
Both think Joe and Gavin Maloof should come out and say that they are here to stay for the forseeable future. Grant and Mike seem to believe this would comfort the loyal Sacramento fans and make it an easier atmosphere to reach a deal.
Wrong. Very wrong.
Here's what the Maloofs should say:
"Ladies and gentlemen of Sacramento, we have been patient and loyal to Sacramento for more than a decade. We have watched you fumble various attempts to build a world-class entertainment complex. We are losing money. Our arena is half full. We have no name for our arena.
We want to stay in Sacramento. We'd love to stay in Sacramento. But under these conditions, we can't.
That's why today we are giving the city of Sacramento a deadline of Jan. 15 to come up with a viable plan to build an arena or we will announce our intention to move the franchise."
Yes, Kings fans would likely collapse in a pool of their own vomit upon hearing this, but it's the only course of action.
You have to make the threat public. You have to establish real ramifications for failure. If not, there's no impetus to make a deal.
That's why tough labor deals only get made with the threat of strike.
I don't want the Kings to leave, but it's time for Shock and Awe.
It's time to break out The Threat.
Make the move, Maloof brothers.
And let's see what happens.
1 comment:
Ron, you certainly are welcome for the comment. Few folks know how sick you are, but they'll soon learn. Actually, your Maloofs letter sounds like a good concept, but only if it's true. As George Clinton says, "If you fake the funk, your nose will grow."
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