David Stern Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Franchise Notes: Europe, Hawks, Anaheim, Kings

February 9th, 2012 at 12:00pm CST by Luke Adams

From the possibility of international expansion to an NBA owner making a bid for an MLB team, here are a few updates on the futures of the league and a few franchises:

Commissioner David Stern said the idea of NBA teams in Europe has been discussed, but it's not realistic for the near future: "It’s not the schedule and the traveling which is the problem. It’s the arenas, the ownership, the television arrangements, the pricing structure and the fan avidity. And it doesn’t pay to take anything for granted. It’s a nice thought. But basketball is not going to vend in Europe quite yet. It’s just growing. And it’s growing slowly but it’s growing nevertheless" (HoopsWorld link).
Stern added that would-be buyers have interest in the Hawks, but Atlanta's ownership group isn't currently entertaining the idea. The Hawks are "well down" on the league's list of worries, according to Stern.
Anaheim's Honda Center announced that its multi-million dollar renovation project is underway. As Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles wrote last summer, Anaheim hopes the renovations help attract an NBA team to the home of the NHL's Ducks.
At one point, the Kings looked Anaheim-bound, and their situation is still tenuous. Tom Couzens of the Sacramento Bee says the Maloofs "are speaking volumes by saying nothing" about financial contribution toward the city's new arena.
Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley is leading one of the groups bidding on the Los Angeles Dodgers, reports Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. Up against ten other suitors, Heisley's bid is "solid but a long shot," says Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Stern On Seattle, Sacramento, Relocation

February 7th, 2012 at 3:27pm CST by Luke Adams

During an interview with Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune, NBA commissioner David Stern acknowledged behind-the-scenes efforts to bring the NBA back to Seattle. Here are the highlights from the interview:

"Everyone says to us, ‘Well, would you consider going back [to Seattle]?’" Stern said. "Of course, if they have a building. And so that’s where it’s left. We have no involvement."
Stern said there have been "very positive" developments in Sacramento, though the situation is still fluid. Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson told Ryan Lillis of the Sacramento Bee that a financing plan for a new $387MM arena in the city is "on track to move forward by March 1st."
Stern on Sacramento's plan for the new arena: "Obviously, we certainly have been supportive of Mayor Johnson’s efforts with respect to the building and we sure would like to see that happen. But we cannot guarantee or [assume] it, and we’ll have to deal with the realities as we find them."
The futures of professional basketball in Seattle and Sacramento could be linked, since Stern says the NBA doesn't intend to expand beyond 30 franchises in the United States. Relocation would be the only path to a new team for Seattle, with Sacramento and New Orleans seemingly the most at-risk teams.

David Stern