Chris Hansen contacts the Maloof family, which owns the Kings, about a purchase that would return the NBA to Seattle. He would build an arena.
Chris Hansen speaks to
supporters of a new NBA arena during a rally in Seattle last spring.
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SEATTLE — Investor Chris
Hansen has contacted the Maloof family about buying the Sacramento
Kings, setting up the possibility of the NBA's return to Seattle.
Hansen's interest was confirmed Wednesday by people with knowledge of the situation. They spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press because no deal has been reached.
One person said the Kings could sell for more than $500 million. The Kings' future in Sacramento has been uncertain because brothers George, Joe and Gavin Maloof and the city haven't been able to come up with a long-term arena solution.
Yahoo Sports first reported the discussions between the Kings and Hansen. Yahoo reported a possible sale could land the Kings in Seattle for the 2013-14 season. The team would play at KeyArena as a temporary home until a new arena is constructed.
"I know as much as you do," Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said when asked about the situation. "If it's true, ain't it cool?"
His counterpart in Sacramento thought the news anything but cool. At an afternoon news conference, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said Wednesday was significant because for the first time Kings fans know the team is for sale. Johnson said he would do all he could to try to find a buyer with a Sacramento connection to possibly purchase the team and keep it in California's capital city.
Hansen, a Seattle native and San Francisco-based investor, reached agreement with local governments in Seattle in October on plans to build a $490-million arena near the city's other stadiums, CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field. As part of the agreement, no construction is to begin until all environmental reviews are completed and a team has been secured.
Source: http://www.latimes.com
Hansen's interest was confirmed Wednesday by people with knowledge of the situation. They spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press because no deal has been reached.
One person said the Kings could sell for more than $500 million. The Kings' future in Sacramento has been uncertain because brothers George, Joe and Gavin Maloof and the city haven't been able to come up with a long-term arena solution.
Yahoo Sports first reported the discussions between the Kings and Hansen. Yahoo reported a possible sale could land the Kings in Seattle for the 2013-14 season. The team would play at KeyArena as a temporary home until a new arena is constructed.
"I know as much as you do," Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said when asked about the situation. "If it's true, ain't it cool?"
His counterpart in Sacramento thought the news anything but cool. At an afternoon news conference, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said Wednesday was significant because for the first time Kings fans know the team is for sale. Johnson said he would do all he could to try to find a buyer with a Sacramento connection to possibly purchase the team and keep it in California's capital city.
Hansen, a Seattle native and San Francisco-based investor, reached agreement with local governments in Seattle in October on plans to build a $490-million arena near the city's other stadiums, CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field. As part of the agreement, no construction is to begin until all environmental reviews are completed and a team has been secured.
Source: http://www.latimes.com
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