While the NBA announced larger layoffs than originally anticipated Monday, the Kings have their own means of battling the tough economy.
The Kings will play an exhibition game in Stockton on Wednesday as a way to solidify and geographically expand their fan base.
"We want to bring Stockton into the fold," said Mitch Germann, the Kings' vice president of business communications.
Meanwhile, the NBA's financial concerns were relayed in an announcement that the league is laying off 9 percent of its workforce because of the economy. That translates to about 80 jobs, according to Reuters.
That's a 3 percent increase from what NBA Commissioner David Stern said he intended to trim in a September story by the Associated Press.
The Kings are not planning to make any layoffs, Germann said.
The NBA isn't the only major league organization to be hit by the tough economy. Major League Baseball has seen its attendance drop after four consecutive record years, and the NFL has said its revenue is under pressure, according to AP.
"We made the decision some months ago that the economy was going to be a bit wobbly, so we began a belt-tightening that will result in a workforce reduction," Stern told reporters Sunday before an NBA exhibition game in London. "There is a season-ticket renewal rate decline, and new sales are also being hit. By the time we tip off in a week or so, we will be down modestly in season tickets."
Stern also said that while the NBA will reduce its workforce domestically, the league will continue to expand internationally. NBA exhibition games were scheduled in the United Kingdom, Germany and China.
The Kings acknowledge that season-ticket sales are flat and renewals are down, although smaller packages are selling. Without a large corporate base, ticket sales account for one-third of the Kings' revenue, owner Gavin Maloof told The Bee last week.
The Kings looked at the NBA model when contemplating ways to increase their regional marketing footprint. So, just like the league offices decided to bring the NBA exhibition games to the international cities they hoped to expand in, the Kings zeroed in on a city 50 miles south of town.
To capture Stockton's Kings fans, the Kings hope to develop a relationship that will translate to those residents attending games at Arco Arena. The Kings will take on the Los Angeles Clippers at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Spanos Center.
"We want to make sure their community is as much a part of the Kings' fan base as all the others," Germann said. "That's what we wanted to do in Stockton, we wanted to bring the team to them. We want to create connections between their community and this team."
And Dan Chapman, president of the Stockton Thunder (ECHL hockey) and Lightning (Arena Football League 2), said he thinks it's working.
"I've heard from quite a few people here, and they are excited," Chapman said. " … Hopefully, it's a good turnout."
Tickets for the Stockton game have been on sale since August and range from $10 to $125. The Kings would not comment on how ticket sales are going, only saying tickets are still available.
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521. Read the Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/blog.
