No pro sports league is known to have more conspiracy theories than the NBA, except maybe FIFA.
There’s the draft lottery, which has had its credibility questioned for years. There’s the Tim Donaghy scandal, in which he accused himself and other referees of fixing games. And then there’s the Michael Jordan’s first “retirement,” which rumor has it was actually a season suspension for gambling.
That brings us to the Kings, whom the NBA is trying to keep in Sacramento past next season. The city unveiled an arena plan Thursday, but it kept the financing aspect under wraps until it is completely worked out.
So in this franchise hostage situation, you shouldn’t put it past the NBA to have a backroom plan to keep the Kings in Sacramento while keeping the Maloofs happy.
This is just a hunch. It’s based on nothing more than background, knowing how the league runs and who runs it. I could see:
*After the next NBA season – remember there may not be 2011-12, which could be cancelled amid labor strife – the Maloof family will be allowed to run a franchise in Anaheim.
*The Maloofs would be given the NBA-owned New Orleans Hornets, who are on their last legs in the Crescent City no matter how you slice their attendance numbers.
*Billionaire Ron Burkle, who’s mere mention as a savior owner helped the Kings stay in Sacramento for another season, comes through on his promise to buy the franchise and helps to fund the aforementioned arena.
This maybe adding 2 + 2 and coming up with 5, but there are so too red flags that point to something happening behind the scenes. First, NBA Commissioner David Stern stood at attention when Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson brought Ron Burkle into the picture; it’s obvious Stern would love to him in the NBA club and Burkle has strong ties to the ICON group that is building the Sacramento arena. Second, the Maloofs are still thought of well by Stern, despite their shenanigans this winter, and it is pretty obvious they still would rather be in SoCal right now. Third, the NBA does not want to be running one of its franchises, especially a team that has no prospects of a local owner in a city that is struggling to keep it afloat.
By moving the Hornets from New Orleans to Anaheim with new owners, the league would face an easier relocation vote than it did with Sacramento. By having Burkle take over the Kings, Stern can look like a hero by saving a small market franchise and avoiding the criticism he took from moving the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City. And the Maloofs could still name the franchise “Anaheim Royals.”
Remember, this is just a theory. But for a league with a history of suspicious dealings run by a commissioner with a subtle iron fist, this could be the way for Sacramento and Anaheim to create a win-win situation. And start a heck of a rivalry.
After all, Sacramento residents are well-versed in NBA conspiracy theories already. Ask any Kings fan about Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals. Then again, maybe you shouldn’t.
Sacramento’s arena plan reviewed by City Council, public [Sacramento Bee]
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I LOVE IT. As much as I want the King here, I am no longer in love with the Maloofs. KJ’s stock has risen way up, and the Maloofs, way down. Interesting that the NBA sent its marketing staff to Sacramento to help out the Maloof staff–not a huge vote of confidence.