SEATTLE GROUP
Chris Hansen
This wealthy hedge fund manager has a tentative deal with the city of Seattle to build a $490 million basketball and hockey arena, but won't start construction until he finds a team. His backers include Microsoft executive Steve Ballmer and members of the Nordstrom family.
CALIFORNIA RIVALS
Mark Mastrov
Mastrov founded 24 Hour Fitness and sold it in 2005 for $1.7 billion. He made an unsuccessful $350 million bid for the Golden State Warriors when the team sold for $450 million – an NBA record – in 2010. Lives in Lafayette and says he has wanted to buy the Kings for "a long time."
Dale Carlsen
Owner of Sleep Train Mattress Centers Inc. The Rocklin-based chain recently became the naming sponsor of the Kings' arena in Natomas. Carlsen said he is interested in playing some role in a bid, and has been contacted by other potential investors.
Ron Burkle
This billionaire supermarket magnate is a well-known Democratic fundraiser. With his partner Darius Anderson, a Sacramento lobbyist, Burkle emerged in 2011 with an offer to buy the Kings to keep the Maloofs from moving the team to Anaheim. No price tag was revealed, and the Maloofs rejected the notion of selling. Burkle, part owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has not said whether he is still interested.
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