Mayor: City exploring options for alternative arena plan | News

SACRAMENTO, CA - A day after he said he needed time to think about it, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said in two to four weeks, there will be a new arena plan.

What that plan looks like, no one knows yet. But city leaders will discuss the feasibility of building a new entertainment and sports complex without the Sacramento Kings.

"It's bigger than basketball," said Johnson. "It's about our community, it's about what we want to do, it's about what we can do, it's about us controlling our own destiny."

Topping their discussion will be the economics of a new arena without 42 NBA games.

"Those are all the things we have to look at. I can't answer that today," Johnosn said when asked if parking would be worth as much without the Kings occupying a new facility.

Johnson even admitted they'll look at other sports. Hockey, in particular, was mentioned.

Sacramento will also explore a scaled-back version of the arena or building it in phases.

And what about the Sacramento-Maloof-NBA plan developed in Orlando in February, is it completely dead?

Johnson says no, if the Maloofs are willing to agree to the original deal.

New documents released show exactly what the Maloofs wanted to change, such as no loan collateral, no 30-year-lease and no municipal expenses.

Those are things Johnson said will put the city at risk and could impact the general fund.

"The red-line talks about not paying municipal services or game day expenses," the mayor said. "That's very hard to protect our taxpayers if that's not happening."

By Nick Monacelli
nick@news10.net