Golden State Warriors To Vote Pro-Sacramento In NBA BOG Decision?
By Bryan Rose
Feb 22, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob celebrates from his court side seat against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeats the San Antonio Spurs 107-101 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Eight votes. That’s the number of NBA owners who need to vote no on the potential sale/relocation for the Sacramento Kings to remain in California’s capital. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the Maloof family would no longer own the franchise – just that the team will remain in Sacramento as the Maloof family “technically” (and I use that term loosely) can’t be “forced” to sell. That’s a whole different argument and one I wont get into at this moment, but for a while King fans have been pondering what owners around the league may have their back and given what we know, you can pretty much assume the Golden State Warriors will be one of the needed eight votes.
We’ve heard from a handful of Bay Area sources that the Warriors (namely, Joe Lacob) gave Vivek Ranadive the blessing to move forward with the potential Kings purchase and now Sacramento’s Bryan May suggests that in addition to the blessing, the Warriors will vote pro-Sacramento for their own reasons:
"Each city has at least 1 definite vote (Maloofs for Sea, GSWarriors for Sac) so it’s not going to be unanimous either way it goes.Certainly no expert but San Jose wants NBA team. Keeping Kings in Sac shuts that door for any future relocation to Bay Area"
There have been rumors that current relationships between the potential ownership groups in both Sacramento and Seattle have some allies in the fight, like Washington Wizards owner (and committee member) Ted Leonsis who is close friends with potential Kings owner Vivek Ranadive. On the flip side, potential Seattle co-majority owner Steve Ballmer also has friends around the league so finding an advantage for either side could be tough.
Owners don’t generally want to cut their nose off by going against the grain, so outside of a few rogue votes, you’ll probably see a lopsided vote either way depending on what the committee decides – but friends in high places certainly never hurts.