I think what turned me off on the Sacramento arena deal was that the Maloof's were trying to dictate how the railyards were going to look. They didn't want anything to compete with the Arena.

Also, it would've been better to finance this with bonds. People don't like their taxes to be raised. Sure, bonds mean that somehow someday the money will have to be raised, but people don't make that connection. It's like free money. I think that would've passed, thoug.
muckdog | Email | Homepage | 11.15.06 - 5:29 pm | #

You're probably right. I was okay with raising the sales tax. It was really minimal and had multiple purposes. I thought it was a win-win. Obviously I was wrong.

I completely agree with you that Maloofs hosed this process by trying to take over design of the area. They were already getting so much from the city and county, and their insistence on a buffer area just made them seem excessively greedy and not concerned with Sacramento's needs.
maya | Email | Homepage | 11.15.06 - 5:39 pm | #

I still say we should just buy the dang team & worry about the arena later. Arco is fine if you're not trying to squeeze luxury boxes out of a tomato!
The ineffable Dr. ChanDra :) | Email | Homepage | 11.15.06 - 7:55 pm | #

As far as the outreach that they do - it's nothing but photo ops and also controlled by the Maloofs and Maloof Sports Entertainment. They may end up pulling in a few bucks for charities but are gaining just as much back in exposure and recognition for what they are doing. (Every event I've been to I see the Maloof Sports Network Cameramen there to record the events for the half-time mini movies they play at the Kings games.)
Devin | Email | Homepage | 11.18.06 - 11:42 am | #