NBA Kings PR Dir Chris Clark said that more than 90% of last year's season-ticket holders "have renewed ... and several thousand new season ticket buyers are expected to select seats" today and tomorrow, according to Tony Bizjak of the SACRAMENTO BEE. The Kings this week are opening the doors of Sleep Train Arena for season-ticket holders to "write checks and pick out their seats for next season." Clark said that by Friday, the team may "see season ticket sales approaching the numbers the team had in its playoff years." Clark: "We expect to have more new season tickets sold than any previous season over the last seven years" Kings officials "declined to divulge actual sales numbers." But Clark said that the team has seen a "surge in ticket requests since a new ownership group won NBA approval last month to buy the team." Clark said that the new ownership group "hired 50 workers to sell tickets." Sleep Train Arena also will be open Thursday afternoon for "people who want to buy season tickets and pick out seats, but who have not yet placed a deposit." Seat prices will "remain the same for renewing season ticket holders." But team officials said that some prices will be "increased for new buyers in high-demand sections" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 6/25).
STICKING AROUND: In Sacramento, Jason Jones reported Kings Assistant GM Shareef Abdur-Rahim will be the "only holdover" from the staff of former President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. New GM Pete D'Alessandro said that he considers Abdur-Rahim a "rising star among front-office personnel." D'Alessandro "didn't say what title Abdur-Rahim would have but that it's 'safe' to say he would be on his staff" (SACBEE.com, 6/23).
