A new arena for Sacramento is likely to cost nearly $400 million and will likely have the Kings as tenants but not operators, the mayor said Tuesday. The cost of the entire project, which would build a new arena from the ground up, is expected to be far lower than the $600 million proposed to build an arena in 2006 – partly because the recession has lowered construction costs and partly because the plans will call for a "smaller but yet world-class venue" of less than 700,000 square feet that fits the region's needs, according to Mayor Kevin Johnson. Power Balance Pavilion, the Kings’ current home, is 442,000 square feet. "The viability of this project happening in Sacramento is real,"

Power Balance Pavilion isn't being passed by on concert tours or by the National Collegiate Athletic Association because of anything wrong with it physically. The facility is good enough for Lady Gaga and Britney Spears to play there this spring and summer. The arena which has been the long-time home to the Sacramento Kings has many good points, according to people who've spent a lot of time there. However, some big conventions and events, primarily religious conventions, have skipped Sacramento altogether because the arena isn't close to enough hotels. Its money-making capacity is hindered by the smaller number of seats and luxury suites, compared to newer arenas. Other problems exist

Sure, you see the Kings everywhere in the community donating either time, money or tickets to a future home game. But this time it was different. And, according to Kings President of Business Operations Matina Kolokotronis, it was one of the most important community-minded event the Kings have ever had the chance in which to participate. On Thursday, the Sacramento Kings, The California Endowment and the Sacramento City Unified School District gathered at Earl Warren Elementary School in South Sacramento to announce their partnership in creating the new “Get Fit with the Kings” program that is intended to boost the overall health of Sacramento-area youth. On-hand for the festivities wer

Working out is supposed to be rewarding. For some, even fun. On Oct. 9, 2009, for Sacramento Kings forward Francisco Garcia it was neither. Garcia was in training camp preparing his body for the rigorous NBA season. During a bench press exercise, while laying on his back on an exercise ball known as the Gymnic – “Burst Resistant” Plus Stability Ball, the ball suddenly burst open and sent Garcia crashing to the floor while still holding on to the weights. Garcia broke his right forearm and damaged ligaments in his wrist in the fall and missed all but 25 games of the 2009-10 season. Roger A. Dreyer of the law firm Dreyer Babich Buccola Wood, attorney for the Sacramento Kings Limited Partn

Sacramento Kings fans Bobbi Marshall and her son, Michael, got an early look at the new concession menu Wednesday, sampling Chinese chicken salad and cantina carvery sandwiches. In preparation for the new basketball season, Maloof Sports and Entertainment is partnering with food and beverage partner Levy Restaurants to add new items to the menu. Taste of Arco was held Wednesday to allow season ticket holders to try the new additions. “What we had we enjoyed, it was fun,” Bobbi Marshall said. Michael Marshall said that as season ticket holders, having the same food all the time gets boring. “I like to support anything that the Kings try to do to better their product,” he added. “I think

 For a couple of years, the Kings have been making plans for major change entering the 2010-11 season. That change was anticipated to occur on the court via trades and free-agency. The Kings announced change in their management team Monday along with the resignation of president John Thomas, effective April 2.  Joe Maloof will become the Chief Executive Officer of Maloof Sports and Entertainment, while his brother, Gavin, will become the President. Matina Kolokotronis has been named President of Business Operations for the Kings, while Geoff Petrie remains Kings President of Basketball Operations. Perhaps the most interesting portion of the Kings release was the announcement that Kevi

The Sacramento Kings introduced an exciting new program to benefit high schools in the greater Sacramento area Friday, January 22. Participating high schools will compete in the “Kings Size High School Challenge” to raise funds for their school. “The Kings Size High School Challenge is a great vehicle for local high schools to raise funds for their school programs,” said Danette Leighton, vice president of marketing for Maloof Sports & Entertainment. “This program is the first of its kind for this community, and we hope to grow it to include even more schools next season.” All participating schools attended a draft lottery event yesterday at the Kings Practice Facility, similar to the NB

Last week, The Sacramento Press wrote about local youth and hip-hop legend KRS-One spearheading a fundraiser for the Washington Neighborhood Center. Unfortunately, the event was not "well-attended enough on its own to make a significant dent in our financial burden," said the center's vice president Adria Banihashemi. The center's financial problems have been building over the last five years, Banihashemi explained. One of the center's main donors, United Way, a budget-challenged non-profit itself, has sent the center significantly less money in the last few years. But it wasn't one grant, person or event that caused the struggle for money, Banihashemi said. "Lower attendance at events