In fact, talk around KC is that the arena, at least for the foreseeable future, may be better off WITHOUT a major-league tenant taking up all of the prime dates.

Right now, three teams are looking at moving if you keep up with the news. New Jersey Nets, Sacramento Kings & Milwaukee Bucks in that order. With future teams (next decade) with problems in value in the Charlotte Bobcats, Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies having terrible finance problems though the Grizzlies have figured out there’s and the Bobcats being sold to local investors. Pacers are losing lots of money and had to get a lease re-negotiated, but I can’t see Stern letting the Pacers leaving basketball central.

Top cities for Relocation:

Brooklyn, NY - Barclays Center is the Nets wet-dream project that looks like it’ll get approved, if not then the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Newark, NJ - This arena will be showcased if the Nets get the Barclays Center for 2 seasons before they move in. If the Nets don’t go to Brooklyn, they’ll go here. If they do then look at the Kings or Bucks to make a move.

Anaheim, CA - The Ducks’ owner has made no qualms or the city about getting an NBA team. Most say the Clippers, but they get a sweetheart deal from Staples Center and turn a profit every year. No chance with Blake Griffin that they go to Anaheim. Anyways, this is a likely destination for the Kings but they have many.

San Jose, CA - They’ve been talking openly with everyone. They’re trying to get the A’s and any NBA team so they can renovate the HP Pavilion into a State-of-the-Art arena. But I highly doubt they get an NBA team because of the Warriors. They have the Bay Area market cornered.

Kansas City, MO - Great arena but this place looks all but reserved for the Islanders of the NHL right now. I don’t know why the city is pushing for hockey when basketball makes way more sense to me since St. Louis doesn’t have a team either.

St. Louis, MO - They’ve flirted with the possibility but were rejected for the Grizzlies. I think the Scottrade Center is just too old for NBA standards plus they don’t like sharing markets with NHL teams unless the metro area can handle it.

Vancouver, BC - My dark-horse. Stern regrets the Vancouver decision and the Canucks owner has gone public about wanting to bring the NBA back. To me this is a perfect location for the Bucks. Anyways, I don’t think it’ll happen.

Which cities do I expect to get NBA teams… Brooklyn (Nets), Newark (Kings) and Vancouver (Bucks). These all just gut feelings by the way.

I think lots of people in KC aren’t too optimistic about getting the NBA or NHL to move here (but would love to get one), we’ve just been used as leverage too many and are starting to get cynical on the subject.

www.sonicsgate.org

1. Fmr NBA player Kevin Johnson is the mayor

2. Sacramento is one of the fastest growing cities in the country

3. When the Kings were winning, ticket sales were 3rd in the league behind LA and NY

4. Moving to Anaheim or San Jose will only bring in major debt

5. The Maloofs owe the city of Sacramento more than 14 million dollars on the arena

6. Relocation costs are similar to that of constructing a new arena

7. Kansas City, again, wait didn’t they leave from there before, Kansas City has no spectactular sports teams, then again the Kings might fit real well there

8. Sacramento is home to one of the highest median salaries in the country

9. Moving to another arena, Maloofs would have to relinquish their income from evey event at that arena becasue they do not own it.

10. Although Sacramento is a small market team, it is still in California.

Rumors will continue to circle for the next few years, but don’t get too caught up on these stories, considering they are coming from individuals that are not in Sacramento. 5 years from now we will be discussing the ground breaking of a new Arco Arena in downtown Sacramento.

Next team to move- Pacers, New Orleans, Charlotte. Get discussing… Wait I’m not even from those areas, but lets get this rumor moving!

San Jose officials pushing ahead on plans to lure NBA team

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13529916

I’m surprised that with the Maloofs owning the Palms and other business interests in Las Vegas, that serious consideration is not being made to relocate them to “The Valley.” To me, it would be a no-brainer, regardless of what the NBA thinks of a pro team in LV. Maloofs: Let’s do this!

The Professor has spoken.