NBA: Sacramento Kings Can't Move to Seattle

The NBA announced Monday that the league's relocation and finance committee has unanimously recommended to deny the relocation of the Sacramento Kings to Seattle, according to Sacramento affliate KCRA.

In a jubilant tweet, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson wrote: "That's what I'm talking about SACRAMENTO!!!!! WE DID IT!!!!!" (Prior to his career in politics, Johnson was an all-star NBA point guard who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns. )

The NBA's finance and relocation committees held a conference call Monday to issue a recommendation on the issue.

A group based in Seattle, led by hedge fund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, has a deal in place with the Maloof family to purchase the Kings. A Sacramento group, led by Silicon valley tycoon Vivek Ranadive, fitness-chain founder Mark Mastrov and several others, have presented a counteroffer.

NBA owners meeting in New York earlier this month failed to reach a decision on the Sacramento and Seattle situation.

A simple majority of the 30 owners is required to relocate a team.  However, a supermajority of 23 owners is required to approve a sale.

The committees are made up of 12 of the 30 owners of NBA teams. The committee members are:

Micky Arison, Miami Heat
Clay Bennett, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jeanie Buss, Los Angeles Lakers
Jim Dolan, New York Knicks
Wyc Grousbeck, Boston Celtics
Peter Holt, San Antonio Spurs
Ted Leonsis, Washington Wizards
Greg Miller, Utah Jazz
Robert Sarver, Phoenix Suns
Herb Simon, Indiana Pacers
Larry Tanenbaum, Toronto Raptors
Glen Taylor, Minnesota Timberwolves

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