After Mayor Kevin Johnson formally announced that Mark Mastrov and Ron Burkle were the "whales" leading a Sacramento group trying to buy the Kings and keep them in town, the vibe over the team's future seemed to have brightened, even if the odds still remained long.
Everywhere I go these days, folks want to know the same thing – "So, are the Kings staying now?" and "KJ saved the team, right?" – as if I have some inside knowledge.
The mayor whispers in plenty of ears around town, but I'm not on his insider list, and I have no more information than anyone who reads the extensive coverage in The Bee. (Really, you conspiracy folks, we're not holding back.)
Like the rest of Sacramento, all I can do is speculate, because we don't know details of the Seattle bid or the one submitted by the Sacramento group.
NBA Commissioner David Stern said Friday the Sacramento group's bid "is not quite there in comparison to the Seattle bid." Mastrov remained confident, however, saying, "We are aiming to win the bid."
So where does that leave us?
On his radio show on 96.9 The Eagle the other day, Walt Gray – former longtime news and sports guy at Channel 3 (KCRA) – speculated the odds of the Kings staying are no better than 50-50. Others think it's more like 70-30 they're off to Seattle. Still others think if Sacramento can get the arena deal worked out, there's no way the NBA will allow them to move.
Perhaps only Stern, the league's 30 owners, the two bidding groups and a handful of others know the details of the competing offers.
That leaves us with little to go on but hope.
What to do
NBA, Kings vs. Milwaukee, 6 p.m., Sleep Train Arena: After today, there are only 10 home games left this season.
Weekend poll
What are the odds the Kings will stay in town? • Less than 25%
• 26-50%
• 51-75%
• 76%-plus
Vote above or leave your comments in the comment field; or, go to www.sacbee.com/sports
Friday's results
Are you following the World Baseball Classic?
• Yes: 26%
• Not until the U.S. team started playing: 23%
• The what? 51%
Total votes: 216
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