CSNPHILLY.com's John Gonzalez noted the 76ers' lease with Wells Fargo Center is "believed to be at least 20 years," and sources said the contract contains "significant lease provisions and protections" that would make it difficult for the team to break the contract. In light of reports that 76ers Majority Owner Josh Harris will purchase the Devils, there has been speculation that Harris could "move the Sixers to northern New Jersey to play in the Prudential Center" (CSNPHILLY.com, 8/8). Philadelphia radio host Howard Eskin wrote on his Twitter feed, “#sixers owner josh Harris may be good in business but obviously a 'Sports Idiot' … Still can't understand how #sixers owner josh harris doesn't understand how he will anger phila fans w purchase of #njdevils” (TWITTER.com, 8/10)
KINGS' RANSOM: Sacramento Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby on Friday announced that the city "received payment in full with interest" from the new owners of the Kings "for the deferred fees that became due a year ago this month." In Sacramento, Kelly Johnson noted the Kings "had received a 15-year deferment of North Natomas public facilities fees under a 1997 agreement with the city." Ashby "has been pushing for the repayment since the debt became due." The payment totaled $1.4M (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/9).
THE BUCKS STOP HERE? A MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL editorial stated, "Discussion of a new arena in Milwaukee for the Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette University Golden Eagles has barely begun, and already the anti-tax hawks are swooping in. ... How about if we have a discussion first?" The editorial continued, "And how about if part of that discussion recognizes that thousands of fans of basketball and other events at the BMO Harris Bradley Center come from [Ozaukee and Racine] counties? ... How about everyone concerned join the debate before taking anything off the table?" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 8/12).
