Sacramento's Kings Bid Group Faces Deadline To Match Seattle Offer

The Maloof family has set a deadline of 5:00pm PT today for the Sacramento-based NBA Kings bid group to submit an offer matching the Seattle group's bid. Sources said that if the local offer "satisfies the league's other owners," the Maloofs "will embrace an outcome that keeps the Kings in Sacramento." The Maloofs have met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and "have for months looked into buying a hockey franchise," and their interests "have expanded" to MLB as well (SACRAMENTO BEE, 4/12).

Meanwhile, there is "growing sentiment from all sides" that NBA Commissioner David Stern is "determined to avoid having a sixth team change cities on his watch." Stern "still wields considerable influence, and strong signs persist that he's doing all he can to keep the Kings in Sacramento." A vote on the matter "likely will take place" at next week's NBA BOG meetings (USA TODAY, 4/12).