Kings Owner Speaks Out Against Sacramento City Government Over Potential Team Move
ANAHEIM (AP) — Sacramento Kings owner Joe Maloof made his first public comment about his franchise's possible relocation to Anaheim on Monday night, criticizing a letter sent between the cities' governments.
Maloof spoke briefly to the Orange County Register after a Sacramento city official wrote to Anaheim's city manager asking Anaheim to stop negotiations with the Kings.
The letter from Sacramento Assistant City Manager John Dangberg claims a move could cause "irreparable harm to the City of Sacramento" if the Kings default on a $73 million loan from the city. Dangberg called Anaheim's negotiations with the Kings "bad public policy at a minimum," asking for contractual assurance the Kings will pay their debt before they get more bonds from Anaheim.
"That letter is completely wrong, and it was uncalled for -- below the belt -- and it's a shame it had to come out of his office," Maloof told the Register. "We tried to be classy and not get in arguments in the media, but I (have to) make this comment. We will continue on with our business and do what is best for the viability of the franchise -- what's best for the franchise and what's best for the league."
The letter also asks Anaheim not to authorize $75 million in bonds to aid the move. The Anaheim city council is expected to vote on a financial plan to entice an NBA team to move to the city-owned Honda Center in a special meeting Tuesday night.
"It's not for the mayor or anybody to interfere with our business," Maloof told the Register. "That's what I think they're doing, and it's not right. We would appreciate that they not interfere with our business."
The Maloofs have been in private discussions for several months on a move out of their aging Sacramento building formerly known as Arco Arena. They must file for relocation with the NBA by April 18 to start the process, which would include a vote among the league's other owners.
Sacramento issued the bonds for a loan to the Kings in July 1997, two years before the Maloofs bought the franchise. The Kings will owe Sacramento roughly $77 million if they leave this summer.
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