It was announced in the Seattle Times on Monday, that Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer have agreed to purchase the Sacramento Kings. Pending the NBA's approval, the move will take place at the close of this season, in order for the SuperSonics to begin playing in Seattle by the beginning of the 2013-14 NBA season. Let's take a quick look at why Seattle moved, and why the Kings are planning to.
As good as it would be for both Sacramento and Seattle to have teams, this is very unlikely, at least for many years. It was very unfortunate what happened to Seattle fans in 2008, and whilst this will give them back what they deserve, its at the expense of Sacramento, who must lose what they also deserve. I can only imagine the immense joy felt by Seattle, and likewise of the sadness that must be felt by Sacramento. I know I would be devastated if I ever lost my team to another city. This move does seem to be nothing but good for the franchise though, and will bring nothing but success to the city of Seattle. I pray that the fans of Sacramento move on from this loss, and will one day have a team in their city again, to bring joy back to the faces of their loyal fans.
In November of 2007, the Seattle SuperSonics where sold to Oklahoma City, leaving behind the city in which they had played since 1967. The relocation took place after the Washington government decided not to provide funding to update KeyArena (home of the Sonics). As a result, Howard Schultz (head of the ownership group of the Sonics) sold the team to Oklahoma City. Without going into too much detail, this was a lengthy process, but one that was ultimately successful for the franchise. However, the loyal and loving fans of Seattle where forgotten, and through no fault of their own, lost their team.
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| Upset Sacramento fans |
In 1985, the Kings started playing basketball in Sacramento. For the most part, they have had little success as a team, but their fans have remained nothing less than loyal. It's almost guaranteed that the Kings will be sold, then renamed and relocated, leaving the city of Sacramento behind, but why are they moving?
As loyal as the fan base in Sacramento is, the one in Seattle is bigger and better. The Sleep Train Arena can often look like an abandoned stadium, you can see more empty seats than people. You can't really blame the fans for that. Nobody wants to go pay money to see their team lose each and every night. And it's not like the team has star attraction either. With all due respect to DeMarcus Cousins (who comes across as immature and unlikable) or the rest of the Kings, none of them really have the attraction of LeBron, Kobe or D-Rose, do they? Now think back to KeyArena. How often did you see two empty seats next to each other? Even if the Sonics were losing, at least you could go watch Kevin Durant. Maybe the change in the scenery will bring out the best in the current Kings lineup, if not some trades and a good draft pick will make a world of difference.
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| The Seattle SuperSonics, playing in front of a sold out crowd in KeyArena |
Although I have never been to either of the cities, I get the impression that Seattle is nicer, and one better suited to host a sports team, considering they already have the Seahawks and the Mariners, whereas Sacramento only has the Kings. Seattle also has a much larger population than Sacramento. A larger fan base will mean success for numerous reasons. More ticket sales, more merchandise sales and television contracts just to name a few. And it's not like the move is going to be difficult or expensive.
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| Larry Bird would be great for the Seattle SuperSonics |
So, unfortunate as it is for Sacramento, the move looks to be best for the franchise and is very likely to be set in stone by the end of the season. Chris Hansen, Steve Ballmer and Co. have plans to completely rebuild the franchise. Current GM, Geoff Petrie is set to retire at the close of this season. Two names being mentioned as his replacements are the Spurs general manager R.C. Buford and basketball legend, Larry Bird (former president of the Indiana Pacers). Whilst Buford seems an unlikely choice (he is very happy in San Antonio), Bird is looking to return to the NBA in the 2013-14 season. Larry has a great basketball mind, and worked wonders for the Pacers in his time there. He was voted NBA executive of the year in 2011, before having to step away for health reasons last year. Bird seems to be the perfect choice to make the franchise very successful. He would make sure the team has the right coaching staff and the right players to bring success to the franchise, and smiles to the fans.
As good as it would be for both Sacramento and Seattle to have teams, this is very unlikely, at least for many years. It was very unfortunate what happened to Seattle fans in 2008, and whilst this will give them back what they deserve, its at the expense of Sacramento, who must lose what they also deserve. I can only imagine the immense joy felt by Seattle, and likewise of the sadness that must be felt by Sacramento. I know I would be devastated if I ever lost my team to another city. This move does seem to be nothing but good for the franchise though, and will bring nothing but success to the city of Seattle. I pray that the fans of Sacramento move on from this loss, and will one day have a team in their city again, to bring joy back to the faces of their loyal fans.
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