Cowbell Kingdom Podcast Ep 84: Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee talks Kings, Seattle and AEG

The spectre of ballot referendums and a change in direction for the potential operator of a new downtown arena.  Just another page in the book that is the Sacramento Kings relocation/arena saga.  Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee joins us to offer his perspective in the first half of this week’s podcast.  In part two, a discussion on DeMarcus Cousins and his latest brush with on-court controversy.

Excerpt

Yesterday, AEG owner Philip Anschutz pulled the plug on the sale of the entertainment company while Tim Leiweke simultaneously stepped down as CEO.  Prospective Kings owner Ron Burkle was part of an investment group hoping to purchase AEG, which last year was set to make an estimated $60-million commitment to the city’s arena project.  How does Kasler view the news?

I think it’s kind of a non-issue as far as the Sacramento Kings are concerned.  But you just never know, it’s crazy.  We don’t know the exact financial arrangement between Burkle and Mastrov.  Keep in mind the reason why AEG had to put so much money into the deal last Spring was because of the financial shortcomings, if you will, of the Maloofs.  They were really scrounging for every penny they could find as they were negotiating that deal last Spring.  And at the last minute, they had to get AEG to kick in an additional $9 or 10 million and that’s what kind of put the deal over the top – until it fell apart of course. So (this time around), Burkle and Mastrov have sufficient funds on their own.  They don’t need an AEG financial contribution.

Can’t see the audio player? Listen here.

Music Credit: Ronald Jenkees – Guitar Sound

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