KINGS, ARCO REACH DEAL; TEAM TO STAY IN SACRAMENTO

          The Kings and ARCO Products Company have reached an
     agreement in principle on a revised signage and promotional
     package for ARCO Arena which will enable the team to accept
     a $70M loan from the city and remain in Sacramento (Kings). 
     The BEE's Bizjak & Delsohn report Kings Owner Jim Thomas
     "brushed off" reporters after delivering the message, "The
     Sacramento Kings are going to stay in Sacramento," declining
     to reveal any details of the deal with Arco.  Minutes before
     his "terse" announcement, Thomas met with Mayor Joe Serna
     Jr. and accepted the city's $70M loan, which will be paid
     back over 30 years, with $20M worth of the Kings and Arco
     Arena, valued at $50M, serving as collateral (SACRAMENTO
     BEE, 2/19).  A group opposing the city's role in the Kings
     deal filed suit to force a public vote, with a court hearing
     scheduled for today, to rule on a temporary restraining
     order on the loan (SACRAMENTO BEE, 2/19).