National Basketball Association

Sacramento mayor weighs in on Kings

Published Mar. 4, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson — a former All-Star point guard — said he believes the only way the Kings will remain in Sacramento is if negotiations to move to Anaheim fall through, the Sacramento Bee reported Friday.

Johnson said Thursday his meeting the day before with the team's owners, the Maloof family, left him with the impression that the team is dead set on heading south.

Johnson told reporters he does not believe the city of Sacramento "can influence the outcome" of negotiations between the Maloofs and the city of Anaheim. The Maloofs are said to be negotiating a deal to play at the Honda Center, home of the NHL's Ducks.

The Maloof family's desire to leave Sacramento, where the team has played since 1985 after moving from Kansas City, stems from their inability to obtain any public funding for a new arena to replace the 22-year-old Power Balance Pavilion (formerly ARCO Arena).

Johnson said the Maloofs have refused a meeting with a local group that is working on a plan to build a new arena in Sacramento. He said the Maloofs indicated they would be willing to meet with local developer David Taylor and arena builder ICON Venue Group if the desired relocation to Anaheim falls through.

The Maloofs also would not consider selling the team if a Sacramento-based group steps forward with a plan to buy the franchise, Johnson added.

The NBA has set a deadline of April 18 for the Maloofs to decide on whether they will move the team for the 2011-12 season. The deadline was pushed back from March 1 to allow the Maloofs more time to explore the move to Anaheim.

The Kings' relocation would have to be approved by a majority of the NBA's owners. The Lakers and Clippers are reportedly opposed to the Kings moving to within just 30 miles, and would aim to line up enough support from other franchises to veto the proposal.