The NBA Kings on Thursday "began doling out parking spots to higher-priced ticket holders ... with $25 nightly slots in a 'premium' garage" one block from the new Golden 1 Center, according to Tony Bizjak of the SACRAMENTO BEE. Kings officials said that fans who purchased the top suite packages "are being offered free parking under the team practice facility inside the arena, and in a private garage" nearby. Those spots "do not have a price tag because they were included in the ticket package." Kings President Chris Granger said that the team and city "will offer holders of lower-priced season tickets the chance, in sequence, over the coming weeks to buy parking for the season in nearby city-controlled garages." Officials added that that will be "followed in September with parking reservations for single-game and other arena-event ticket buyers." Granger "declined to say how many spots are under the arena." However, he did say there are "not a lot." Bizjak notes the Kings will "control what likely will be several thousand parking spots on the old Downtown." The city controls several thousand spots more "in nearby garages, as well as street meter parking." Sacramento city officials "will introduce a website and smartphone app in September that will allow arena ticket-buyers to reserve and pay online for parking in three city garages" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 8/19).
