In Sacramento, columnist R.E. Graswich wrote that
despite the Kings' poor start, the team is no closer to
moving than they were one year ago because Arco Arena "is
performing better than expected," thanks to music and
entertainment bookings. Sacramento City Treasurer Tom
Friery: "The Kings are down about 20 percent in attendance,
but they are still above the threshold that would give them
the option to leave." Graswich wrote that two things "must
happen" before the Kings can relocate during the next 10
years. They must "report a net loss from cash flow," and
"their gate receipts or total revenue must fall to the
bottom third of the NBA." Graswich: "The fact that NBA
attendance is crashing from Miami to Oakland is curiously
good news for Sacramento basketball fans. The more trouble
the NBA gets into, the less chance the Kings have of sinking
to the bottom of the income heap." Kings President Rick
Benner: "The deal with the city received so much negative
publicity at the start that people are still angry about it,
and that affects us at the box office. And obviously there
are the ticket prices, which upset people" (BEE, 12/9).
