Not So Fast, Seattle. They’re Still the Sacramento Kings.

Apparently this King’s fan has had enough…

The past few weeks have been exhausting if you’re a fan of the former Seattle Supersonics.  Rumors started floating around that the Maloof family was looking to sell the team.  Then came rumors of the Hansen Group getting involved.  Now, The Maloofs and the Hansen Group have a signed sale of the Sacramento Kings, which would give Hansen the power to move the team.  Are you excited yet?

Not so fast, my friend.  At least that’s what Kevin Johnson, former NBA player and current Sacramento Mayor, is telling the city of Seattle.

Over the past few years, Sacramento has found a way to keep their only professional sports team.  In 2011, Johnson bought the city time to work out a deal with the Maloofs for a new stadium.  However, that fell through as Maloofs did not think the deal was a good financial deal for the team.

Now, with the Maloofs selling, Johnson is gathering a large group of investors in an effort to pool enough money to keep the Kings in Sacramento.  He says he has 20 people who have pledged at least $1 million each.  That includes billionaire, Mark Mastrov, founder of 24-hour Fitness.

The Hansen Group and Maloofs have submitted a purchase agreement to the NBA Board of Governors.  But until the sale is approved, the Maloofs can still receive other offers.  Johnson intends to submit just that before the relocation deadline of March 1^st.

This is where things get interesting.  Johnson has proven on many occasions that he is capable of saving the Kings from certain “death” (by relocation).  If he continues gathering funds as he has, the future of the Kings may not be in Seattle.

The Maloofs only selling 65 percent of the franchise, meaning they will collect $340 million (of the $525 million that the team is worth to the Hansen Group).  That means Johnson must come up with at least that in order to put up a fight against Hansen.  Mastrov is almost capable of doing that himself.

Here’s the point.  Yes – the Maloofs have agreed to sell to the Hansen Group.  That’s a huge step in the right direction.  But, DON’T GET YOUR HOPES UP, Seattle.  There is still a lot of time before this deal is made official.

Johnson added this in an address to the city of Sacramento.  He said, “Seattle had some of the best fans in the NBA…Incredible fans. And when they lost their team a couple years ago, it was devastating to me, because those fans fought like crazy and rallied and they cheered on the home team. And I strongly believe they deserve an NBA team at some point. Just not ours.”

I applaud your efforts, KJ, I really do.  But I really hope they’re all for naught.