Bookmakers at the Palms Casino are taking odds on various scenarios over the next few days. Take a look and place your wager.
THE DOOMSDAY SCENARIO: Fed up with their treatment from both the NBA and Sacramento city leaders, the Maloofs decide to sell -- but not to Ron Burkle. They sell to Anaheim's Henry Samueli, throwing the team into the hands of a man determined to rip the team from Sacramento at any cost. Odds: 100-1
THE "REVERSAL OF FORTUNES" SCENARIO: The Maloofs file for relocation and somehow get the needed votes to okay the move. Sacramento is sucker-punched. ODDS: 40-1
THE "SHOVE-IT STERN" SCENARIO: The boys lose the vote, poke little David Stern in the eyes, defy the league, file a lawsuit, and take the team to Anaheim. ODDS: 35-1
THE HAPPY RETURN SCENARIO: Carmichael Dave joins hands with the Maloofs in a tearful celebration rally at Power Balance. The brothers vow to stay in Sacramento for the foreseeable future and work diligently to make a new arena happen. ODDS: 12-1
THE FIRE SALE SCENARIO: Forced to return to Sacramento, the Maloofs sell to Burkle in an effort to stave off bankruptcy. ODDS: 8-1
THE ONE-YEAR STALL SCENARIO: The Maloofs suck it up and allow the team to return to Sacramento, but feel determined to submarine any arena deal, giving the team a clear path to head for Anaheim the following season. ODDS: 5-2
Okay, fans, windows close in just 48 hours. Tell me your bets now.
Showing posts with label move. Show all posts
Showing posts with label move. Show all posts
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Cash-strapped Maloofs squirm as they go from whales to minnows
Is there anything more delicious than watching the cash-strapped Maloof boys squirm as their long-anticipated move to Anaheim slowly disintegrates?
I'll be honest. I thought there were long gone. And that's probably still true, but the events of the last two days are just fascinating to witness.
After playing ridiculous hardball with the city in negotiations for a new arena and then dismantling the team in the name of economics and killing the attendance, they are a bundle of mock outrage because an interloper has the nerve to make them look like small-time players.
Yup, welcome to the recession, Gavin and Joe. You are cash poor and so are we. How does it feel?
And now you're ready to blame Billionaire Burkle for trying to move in and take your team.
Deal with it.
The Maloof brothers are like those Jersey guys in shiny suits who strut boldly and believe that outward signs of obvious wealth are what matter most.
Hell, Adrienne Maloof is the poster girl for such nonsense. She paraded around the arena concourse Wednesday night, huge camera crew in tow, dressed to kill in designer clothes, and sporting a look so surgically enhanced you thought her face might implode at a moment's notice.
Yet this is the image Joe and Gavin and George Maloof want to convey.
Except for one important fact.
They're broke.
And Burkle isn't.
Suddenly, the NBA owners are looking at the Maloofs as expendable. The league is a club for the whales, not the minnows.
Is Sacramento an NBA town? Maybe not. But there's a guy with awful deep pockets who thinks it just might be.
And that might just be good enough for David Stern and the rest of the Billionaire Boys Club.
I'll be honest. I thought there were long gone. And that's probably still true, but the events of the last two days are just fascinating to witness.
After playing ridiculous hardball with the city in negotiations for a new arena and then dismantling the team in the name of economics and killing the attendance, they are a bundle of mock outrage because an interloper has the nerve to make them look like small-time players.
Yup, welcome to the recession, Gavin and Joe. You are cash poor and so are we. How does it feel?
And now you're ready to blame Billionaire Burkle for trying to move in and take your team.
Deal with it.
The Maloof brothers are like those Jersey guys in shiny suits who strut boldly and believe that outward signs of obvious wealth are what matter most.
Hell, Adrienne Maloof is the poster girl for such nonsense. She paraded around the arena concourse Wednesday night, huge camera crew in tow, dressed to kill in designer clothes, and sporting a look so surgically enhanced you thought her face might implode at a moment's notice.
Yet this is the image Joe and Gavin and George Maloof want to convey.
Except for one important fact.
They're broke.
And Burkle isn't.
Suddenly, the NBA owners are looking at the Maloofs as expendable. The league is a club for the whales, not the minnows.
Is Sacramento an NBA town? Maybe not. But there's a guy with awful deep pockets who thinks it just might be.
And that might just be good enough for David Stern and the rest of the Billionaire Boys Club.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Hey Grant Napear, get a clue and stop sucking up to the Maloofs
Grant Napear spent Tuesday afternoon ranting and raving about how the Sacramento Bee had so maligned the poor little Maloof boys over the past decade that now they were taking their balls and leaving town.
Any opposing viewpoint was shouted down with the lunacy of a fifth-grader throwing a tantrum.
Give me a break.
Napear is a shill. Plain and simple. He is not an honest broker. He is not a journalist. Accepting his word on the Kings' situation is akin to accepting Bernie Madoff's word on a hot investment.
He is paid by the Kings. He is their employee. If he bad mouthes his bosses, he gets the boot. If he sucks up, he gets a pat on his little red head and gets to play TV boy for another year.
The Bee's coverage had no effect on the decision making of the Maloofs.
Full disclosure: I worked at the Bee for almost 20 years in the sports department, but I'm not a Bee apologist. In fact, anyone who worked with me will tell you that I had plenty of complaints about the way the newspaper was run. I'm good at complaining. Some say I'm an expert. (note to my former executive editor and managing editor: It's called creativity and innovation. You promote it, you don't quash it. You guys were so far behind the curve, you couldn't even see the curve.)
But to say the arena cause was beaten down by the Bee is just plain stupid.
The Bee columnists have been strong proponents of a new arena. Ailene Voisin and Marcos Breton have written tirelessly in support of a new building.
When the Kings were riding high, the Bee was a publicity machine for the team, pumping out special sections, posters and signs to hold up at the arena.
Yes, the newspaper has done a few stories that didn't show the Maloofs in a very flattering light, most recently a piece that quoted numerous sources in regards to the brothers' penchant for outlandish negotiating.
But sorry, folks, it's called reporting. The Maloofs don't get a free ride.
And, besides, there's plenty of blame for this failure all around.
I personally believe an awful economy and a growing distaste for increased government spending are the two biggest reasons a new arena deal hasn't gotten done.
In addition, I believe the fixation on a downtown location was misguided. Natomas was fine. All the infrastructure is already there. The cost of building a new arena in the current location would have been far cheaper and a whole lot easier to get done. Keeping the Kings -- not revitalizing the railyards -- should have been the focus. A downtown arena was an intricate pipe dream with far too many moving pieces.
But let's face it, there just isn't that much free private money in this town. We don't have any spare billionaires ready to parachute in as an angel investor.
So now the Kings are most likely gone.
And we get back to the bombastic blowhard known as Grant Napear.
Stop the act, Grant. Yes, we know the Maloofs give plenty to charity. We know they are really nice guys. But we don't need your phony objective views when you're clearly on the payroll.
Furthermore, we don't need your doomsday prophecies.
"If we lose the Kings," he proclaimed with searing intensity. "You'll never see an NBA team here for the rest of your lifetime."
As if that was a punishment from God for our sins.
It's probably true. But what does that mean?
We'll still lead our lives. We'll still struggle to keep our jobs. We'll still proudly raise our families. And we'll still enjoy our free time -- maybe in different ways.
Napear is a boob. A flame-throwing flunky without an ounce of nuance.
If he moves to Anaheim, we may never see another one like him for the rest of our lifetimes.
We can only hope.
P.S. Invite me on for a debate, Grant. Maybe I'll be able to make a point in between your tireless rants.
Any opposing viewpoint was shouted down with the lunacy of a fifth-grader throwing a tantrum.
Give me a break.
Napear is a shill. Plain and simple. He is not an honest broker. He is not a journalist. Accepting his word on the Kings' situation is akin to accepting Bernie Madoff's word on a hot investment.
He is paid by the Kings. He is their employee. If he bad mouthes his bosses, he gets the boot. If he sucks up, he gets a pat on his little red head and gets to play TV boy for another year.
The Bee's coverage had no effect on the decision making of the Maloofs.
Full disclosure: I worked at the Bee for almost 20 years in the sports department, but I'm not a Bee apologist. In fact, anyone who worked with me will tell you that I had plenty of complaints about the way the newspaper was run. I'm good at complaining. Some say I'm an expert. (note to my former executive editor and managing editor: It's called creativity and innovation. You promote it, you don't quash it. You guys were so far behind the curve, you couldn't even see the curve.)
But to say the arena cause was beaten down by the Bee is just plain stupid.
The Bee columnists have been strong proponents of a new arena. Ailene Voisin and Marcos Breton have written tirelessly in support of a new building.
When the Kings were riding high, the Bee was a publicity machine for the team, pumping out special sections, posters and signs to hold up at the arena.
Yes, the newspaper has done a few stories that didn't show the Maloofs in a very flattering light, most recently a piece that quoted numerous sources in regards to the brothers' penchant for outlandish negotiating.
But sorry, folks, it's called reporting. The Maloofs don't get a free ride.
And, besides, there's plenty of blame for this failure all around.
I personally believe an awful economy and a growing distaste for increased government spending are the two biggest reasons a new arena deal hasn't gotten done.
In addition, I believe the fixation on a downtown location was misguided. Natomas was fine. All the infrastructure is already there. The cost of building a new arena in the current location would have been far cheaper and a whole lot easier to get done. Keeping the Kings -- not revitalizing the railyards -- should have been the focus. A downtown arena was an intricate pipe dream with far too many moving pieces.
But let's face it, there just isn't that much free private money in this town. We don't have any spare billionaires ready to parachute in as an angel investor.
So now the Kings are most likely gone.
And we get back to the bombastic blowhard known as Grant Napear.
Stop the act, Grant. Yes, we know the Maloofs give plenty to charity. We know they are really nice guys. But we don't need your phony objective views when you're clearly on the payroll.
Furthermore, we don't need your doomsday prophecies.
"If we lose the Kings," he proclaimed with searing intensity. "You'll never see an NBA team here for the rest of your lifetime."
As if that was a punishment from God for our sins.
It's probably true. But what does that mean?
We'll still lead our lives. We'll still struggle to keep our jobs. We'll still proudly raise our families. And we'll still enjoy our free time -- maybe in different ways.
Napear is a boob. A flame-throwing flunky without an ounce of nuance.
If he moves to Anaheim, we may never see another one like him for the rest of our lifetimes.
We can only hope.
P.S. Invite me on for a debate, Grant. Maybe I'll be able to make a point in between your tireless rants.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Buzz kill at Arco. Don't expect the Maloofs to change their minds.
Talk about a buzz kill.
On a night that was supposed to be all about energy and atmosphere and showing the Maloofs that the Kings needed to stay in town, Monday night's crowd just never took flight.
The Kings came out in throwback Royals jerseys (an awful idea that needed to be quickly shoved aside but wasn't) and it was all downhill from there.
The arena was far from full.
The chants never took hold and fizzled out.
And Arco thunder was more like a brief streaks of lightning flickering in the distance. Sure the fans could get very loud every now and then, but it was certainly not enough. Not enough to rekindle memories of the old days. Not enough to turn back the oncoming train of change.
This was the view exactly three minutes from the national anthem. The arena filled up more, but I was shocked the fans weren't packing the place and ready to rumble early.
I doubt the Maloofs were impressed. In fact, the turnout and energy may have sealed the team's departure, not that I thought there was a much of chance of them sticking around, anyway.
Here they stay?
Sorry.
Looks like there they go.
On a night that was supposed to be all about energy and atmosphere and showing the Maloofs that the Kings needed to stay in town, Monday night's crowd just never took flight.
The Kings came out in throwback Royals jerseys (an awful idea that needed to be quickly shoved aside but wasn't) and it was all downhill from there.
The arena was far from full.
The chants never took hold and fizzled out.
And Arco thunder was more like a brief streaks of lightning flickering in the distance. Sure the fans could get very loud every now and then, but it was certainly not enough. Not enough to rekindle memories of the old days. Not enough to turn back the oncoming train of change.
This was the view exactly three minutes from the national anthem. The arena filled up more, but I was shocked the fans weren't packing the place and ready to rumble early.
But you can't blame the fans. They've been churned, burned, and spit out. A dreadful economy, an awful team, and now talk of a move to Anaheim. Despite the pleading, only the very loyal diehards remain. And they are not enough.
I doubt the Maloofs were impressed. In fact, the turnout and energy may have sealed the team's departure, not that I thought there was a much of chance of them sticking around, anyway.
Here they stay?
Sorry.
Looks like there they go.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Shocker: Disneyland announces move to Elk Grove
In a shocking move made in order to take advantage of unemployed state workers, the owners of Disneyland have announced they are packing up their rides and taking them to Elk Grove.
The site will be the abandoned Lent Ranch Mall just south of the city off Highway 99.
"This is big for us," said a Disney spokesman. "We're sick of Anaheim and all those phony Southern California fools. We want to attract a new type of crowd to our park. And we think Elk Grove is the perfect destination."
Mayor Kevin Johnson was stunned but overjoyed. "Look, I didn't get a phone call but I don't care. Bring on the Matterhorn."
There will be some small changes when the new park opens in 2012. One example: The Pirates of the Caribbean ride will be renamed "The Drunk Recreational Boaters on the American River Ride."
The park will be staffed by laid off and furloughed state workers, who already attended a job fair in Citrus Heights. "It was incredible," said one beaten-down job seeker, "I'm going to be buckling in people on Big Thunder Railroad. And I get to work five days a week."
Anaheim officials were left confused and bitter. Disney had warned them that the park needed an influx of new blood.
The disappearance of the park will leave a gaping hole in the Anaheim economy, but a Disney spokesman scoffed. "They've got the Maloofs now," he said. "They'll fill the void."
He then doubled over in laughter, walking away.
Other amusement parks will have to vote on the relocation, but it should be approved. Only Raging Waters in Roseville figures to put up much resistance.
The site will be the abandoned Lent Ranch Mall just south of the city off Highway 99.
"This is big for us," said a Disney spokesman. "We're sick of Anaheim and all those phony Southern California fools. We want to attract a new type of crowd to our park. And we think Elk Grove is the perfect destination."
Mayor Kevin Johnson was stunned but overjoyed. "Look, I didn't get a phone call but I don't care. Bring on the Matterhorn."
There will be some small changes when the new park opens in 2012. One example: The Pirates of the Caribbean ride will be renamed "The Drunk Recreational Boaters on the American River Ride."
The park will be staffed by laid off and furloughed state workers, who already attended a job fair in Citrus Heights. "It was incredible," said one beaten-down job seeker, "I'm going to be buckling in people on Big Thunder Railroad. And I get to work five days a week."
Anaheim officials were left confused and bitter. Disney had warned them that the park needed an influx of new blood.
The disappearance of the park will leave a gaping hole in the Anaheim economy, but a Disney spokesman scoffed. "They've got the Maloofs now," he said. "They'll fill the void."
He then doubled over in laughter, walking away.
Other amusement parks will have to vote on the relocation, but it should be approved. Only Raging Waters in Roseville figures to put up much resistance.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Sacramento needs a new arena, but Maloofs need cash -- and that's why they're gone
Yes, Sacramento needs a new arena.
Yes, it's pathetic that the city was unable to figure it out during the boom times five years ago.
But let's be straight: When the Maloofs move to Anaheim, it will be strictly because they need money right now. And a move -- if some kind of cash or loan is involved -- is the only way to get it.
The Kings are not owned by Mark Cuban or Paul Allen. Joe and Gavin Maloof do not have deep pockets. If fact, they might be lucky to have anything in their pockets at all. Furthermore, the entire Maloof empire is crumbling. The Palms Casino, once the hippest stop in Vegas, in now facing a severe financial crisis with huge debt on the property.
The Maloofs basically have no choice. If they stay in Sacramento, they get no influx of cash. If they move to Anaheim, they get some dough and get a chance to save their lifestyle.
Even if an arena deal is somehow hatched over the next couple of months, it would not mean a penny in the pockets of the Kings' owners.
Simply put, they have to move to survive. I'd probably do the same thing if it was my team.
However, I think the Maloofs deserve some of the blame for their current situation.
Instead of spending money to keep the team competitive, they went the austerity route, slowly dismantling the team in an effort to cut payroll. Right now, it's the lowest in the league.
This short-sighted strategy strangled the team, destroyed their winning ways, and took the steam out of the fans. Instead of a packed arenas and a city-wide buzz, they left themselves with sparse crowds and a "who cares" attitude among the public.
That's not a recipe for arena support.
Too often, they played the silence game when the arena issue arose. There never seemed a strong sense that they wanted to play a big role. And I never got the sense they really wanted to make Sacramento their permanent homes. They like the bright lights. Natomas just flickers.
In reality, a move to Anaheim is foolish.
Wait until the Maloofs wake up next season to realize they are mere dwarfs in the Los Angeles sports landscape. If the Kings continue to lose, the team will quickly become an irrelevant joke, playing third fiddle to the Lakers and Clippers, not to mention a bevy of other sports and recreation choices.
I'd like to be dead wrong about this. I'd like to believe there's hope that some deal can keep the Kings in town. I'd like to believe it's not just about saving the Maloof empire. I'd like to believe we'll all be sitting in an amazing new facility in four years.
But all signs point south.
Yes, it's pathetic that the city was unable to figure it out during the boom times five years ago.
But let's be straight: When the Maloofs move to Anaheim, it will be strictly because they need money right now. And a move -- if some kind of cash or loan is involved -- is the only way to get it.
The Kings are not owned by Mark Cuban or Paul Allen. Joe and Gavin Maloof do not have deep pockets. If fact, they might be lucky to have anything in their pockets at all. Furthermore, the entire Maloof empire is crumbling. The Palms Casino, once the hippest stop in Vegas, in now facing a severe financial crisis with huge debt on the property.
The Maloofs basically have no choice. If they stay in Sacramento, they get no influx of cash. If they move to Anaheim, they get some dough and get a chance to save their lifestyle.
Even if an arena deal is somehow hatched over the next couple of months, it would not mean a penny in the pockets of the Kings' owners.
Simply put, they have to move to survive. I'd probably do the same thing if it was my team.
However, I think the Maloofs deserve some of the blame for their current situation.
Instead of spending money to keep the team competitive, they went the austerity route, slowly dismantling the team in an effort to cut payroll. Right now, it's the lowest in the league.
This short-sighted strategy strangled the team, destroyed their winning ways, and took the steam out of the fans. Instead of a packed arenas and a city-wide buzz, they left themselves with sparse crowds and a "who cares" attitude among the public.
That's not a recipe for arena support.
Too often, they played the silence game when the arena issue arose. There never seemed a strong sense that they wanted to play a big role. And I never got the sense they really wanted to make Sacramento their permanent homes. They like the bright lights. Natomas just flickers.
In reality, a move to Anaheim is foolish.
Wait until the Maloofs wake up next season to realize they are mere dwarfs in the Los Angeles sports landscape. If the Kings continue to lose, the team will quickly become an irrelevant joke, playing third fiddle to the Lakers and Clippers, not to mention a bevy of other sports and recreation choices.
I'd like to be dead wrong about this. I'd like to believe there's hope that some deal can keep the Kings in town. I'd like to believe it's not just about saving the Maloof empire. I'd like to believe we'll all be sitting in an amazing new facility in four years.
But all signs point south.
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