In Sacramento, Dale Kasler notes the Kings "began offering season tickets Thursday to the general public" for the new Golden 1 Center. The launch "marks the first time tickets have been made available to general public." The Kings "haven’t figured out exactly how many more season tickets they’ll sell," but they "have already sold out Golden 1’s luxury suites, lofts and club seats for next year, along with most of the courtside seating." Kings President Chris Granger: "We're approaching 10,000 season tickets" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 1/8).
PARKS & REC: In Detroit, Mike Brudenell notes the Pistons on Thursday announced a $300,000 donation to the Detroit Police Athletic League to "create a new youth basketball league program in metro Detroit." The Pistons’ infusion of money and support of the new PAL youth basketball league will "provide coaching and mentoring to more than 2,000 children aged 6-14 in partnership with the Detroit Recreation Department" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/8).
FOOTING THE BILL: In St. Paul, Andy Rathbun noted the Salvation Army has partnered with T'Wolves C Karl-Anthony Towns "on a shoe drive that will offer game tickets in exchange for donations." Fans "can take a pair of new, unused shoes to the Target Center box office and get a voucher redeemable for two tickets" to either the Pelicans game on Feb. 8 or the Celtics on Feb. 22. The shoe drive will run through Jan. 29 (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 1/7).
