Several weeks ago, it seemed like a forgone conclusion that the Kings would be moving to Seattle. Then David Stern allowed mayor Kevin Johnson to make a counter-offer. Then the process stalled a bit. And now it has picked back up again.
The Kings have new investors and are set to make an official offer today. All of a sudden, it’s beginning to feel more and more like the Kings will stay. We’ll see.
The wealthy investors that are partnering on a plan to keep the Sacramento Kings in California’s capital city have finally been revealed, and they’re the two almost everybody expected.
With a twist.
Mark Mastrov, founder of 24 Hour Fitness, will submit a bid to buy the team to the NBA on Friday, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said in his State of the City address Thursday night. While Ron Burkle, the billionaire co-owner of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, will instead only lead the effort to build a new downtown arena that he hopes will also lure back a WNBA franchise.
“With all due respect to Seattle, I do hope they get a team someday. But let me be perfectly clear: it is not going to be this team,” Johnson said. “Not our team. No way.”
H/T: AP on NBA.com
