Sleep Train Mattress Centers yesterday said it is “negotiating with the Sacramento Kings for naming rights to the team's arena,” according to Dale Kasler of the SACRAMENTO BEE. The Calif.-based retailer is “one of several companies talking to the Kings about naming rights.” Sleep Train “operates more than 250 stores on the West Coast” and is “already a Kings sponsor.” Kings co-owner Joe Maloof confirmed that the team “is in negotiations for a replacement for Power Balance.” He said that the Kings' marketing staff “is handling the talks and he had no information about which companies are in the running.” Kasler notes the Kings began looking for a new naming-rights partner “after their year-old deal with Power Balance was cut short abruptly.” The sports wristband company “left the team high and dry after filing for bankruptcy protection last fall.” Power Balance had "signed a five-year contract starting in March 2011.” Court records show that Power Balance paid the Kings “just $700,000 before cutting off payments.” Maloof said that he is “convinced the Kings can snare a good naming-rights contract (SACRAMENTO BEE, 8/8).
