Mayor Kevin Johnson isn't too upset that the Maloofs have refused a demand for written assurance that the Kings' owners will repay a $77 million loan to the city if they bolt for Anaheim. He's certain the loan will be repaid.
Still, as the mayor told reporters this morning, "it's not in the best interest of the Maloofs to not make good on paying here in Sacramento and expect to be embraced by another city in Anaheim." And should the team decide not to pay, the mayor said he expects "lawsuit after lawsuit."
How worried are you that the loan won't be repaid?
If the Maloofs don't make good on the loan, the city would take over Power Balance Pavilion and get a $25 million stake in the Kings. Even if the city is able to sell the arena, it would still be left several million dollars short of the loan balance.
Johnson thinks that Maloofs are going to pay, written assurance or not.
"It would have been a good-faith gesture on their part, but that's certainly their prerogative and I don't think it lessens their commitment," he said.
And his theory as to why the Maloofs, through an attorney, are refusing to provide a written promise?
"I think any time you get lawyers involved, they do lawyer things," he said.
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