Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

The Maloofs aren’t selling – they’ve been adamant about it. They weren’t interested in at least $350 million from Robert Pera, the Grizzlies new owner who tried to buy the Kings before settling on the Memphis franchise. They’ve continually said that selling the Houston Rockets back in the 1980′s was one of the worst decisions they’ve ever made and one they’d never make again when it came to the Kings.

But they’ve also never been offered over a half billion dollars.

According to a Los Angeles Times report, a Seattle ownership group headed by Chris Hansen has offered $300 plus million dollars to build a new arena complex as well as another $500 million to purchase an NBA Team:

Former Sonics stars Payton, Kemp and Schrempf made appearances to raucous cheers, as did the boyish Chris Hansen, the hedge-fund manager who has offered to contribute almost $300 million for a proposed arena south of downtown and $500 million to buy an NBA team. Hansen’s bid has gathered momentum, with heavyweights such as Steve Ballmer, chief executive of Microsoft, and the Nordstrom family pledging financial support.

There’s been no outside confirmation of the funds, so it’s certainly not gospel that the offer is as lucrative as initially reported, but still, that is a lot of money for the Maloofs to turn down, assuming any offer is ever made and the deal is as rich as assumed.

H/T @aaronbruski

Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

If you’re in the mood for some disappointment, then boy do I have you covered.

As you’re probably aware, yesterday, the Memphis Grizzlies announced they had found a new buyer for the franchise, 34 year old tech tycoon Robert Pera. Pera, one of the world’s youngest billionaires (who made his money thanks in-part to Apple and a wireless networking company he founded) is due to buy the Grizzlies for a reported $350 million dollars, but despite the purchase, the Grizzlies weren’t his first option – at least not according to The Commercial Appeal’s Geoff Calkins as he’s reporting the Northern California native attempted to buy the Charlotte Bobcats and Sacramento Kings prior to the Grizzlies purchase:

Robert Pera previously tried to buy Bobcats and Kings, I’m told.

No word on how extended the talks ever became between Pera and the Maloofs of if he was immediately rebuffed in his attempts, but one thing has become clear through this entire process – the Kings are much desired by outside entities, as they should be.

Unfortunately for the city and surrounding areas of Sacramento, as of now, it doesn’t appear the Maloofs are letting loose of their grip.

But hey – good things come to those who wait, right? Right?!?