A couple of new wrinkles in the Kings saga emerged this evening, as the Maloofs have informed the league they won't sell to the Sacramento investors who've mounted an effort to keep the team in town. The Seattle-based bidders, led by Chris Hansen, now have a pair of purchase agreements in place with the Maloofs — one for a majority stake, and one for a minority interest that would allow the Maloofs to continue as principal owners. TNT's David Aldridge, writing for NBA.com, has more on the story, as we pass along here, along with other news on the night's developments:
- Chris Daniels of KING-TV in Seattle corrects his earlier report about Hansen's proposed relocation fee, this time pegging it at $116MM, more in line with the $115MM other reports are suggesting (Twitter link).
Earlier updates:
- There's been buzz in Seattle that Hansen and company could pursue a lawsuit against the league if it won't allow them to buy the Kings, but Aldridge hears they're uninterested in pursuing a legal challenge.
- The same source tells Aldridge that the league was informed Wednesday of Hansen's increased bid as well as his backup offer for a minority stake.
- Hansen thinks this could be the last time for a while that the political and business climate in Seattle will be conducive to supporting a bid for a new NBA team.
- The relocation committee will hold a conference call Monday to discuss this weekend's developments. It's unclear whether the NBA's Board of Governors will be voting this coming Wednesday on whether to accept the Hansen group's initial offer for the team, or their revised bid instead.
- A source close to Vivek Ranadive, the point man for Sacramento's bid, said his group is comfortable with its position and doesn't plan to up its offer, according to Dale Kasler, Ryan Lillis and Tony Bizjak of The Sacramento Bee.