Kevin Johnson: Kings’ Move ‘Feels Like a Slow Death’

Sacramento is on the verge of losing its pro hoops team, and the city’s mayor tells the world how much it hurts. The AP has the quotes: “In a strongly worded blog posted on his website Tuesday night, Mayor and former NBA player Kevin Johnson wrote the franchise’s possible relocation to Anaheim ‘feels like a slow death’ and this “will likely be the Kings’ final weeks in Sacramento after 26 years.’ Johnson met with Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof last month and has believed since that the Kings will leave after this season. After years of not receiving public dollars to build a new arena in Sacramento, the Maloofs began discussions with Anaheim officials about relocating the franchise to Orange County. An attorney representing the Kings also filed for at least four federal trademarks registrations: Anaheim Royals, Anaheim Royals of Southern California, Orange County Royals and Los Angeles Royals. The well-traveled franchise was previously named the Rochester Royals and Cincinnati Royals.”