Monarchs FOLD =(

[stevetaebo]

Please, please steve. Sensitivity. This is the Monarchs forum after all.

I was planning on taking my daughter to at least one game this coming season.

Sorry for the loyal Monarchs fans. Hopefully Oakland or SJ will happen very soon.

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

I hate to say it, but if this move is going to somehow make the Kings more competitive by freeing up some cash for FA or trade to make them a better team, then I rather have that.

Steve, if you look at the amount of money the Monarchs would have spent on just salaries this season...come back and tell me how much of a difference that was going to make.

The Monarchs died because the Kings are on life support. I suspect they won't come off life support until they get a new building. If they needed everybody focused on the Kings right now?

[mdme]

Damn. I hope they keep the team intact and just relocate them. At least they would be worth cheering for.

Things must be really bad for the MS&E. although, really, I don't think this helps the Kings much. A WNBA franchise costs like a small fraction of an NBA team. Even smaller since they have the arena already.

[dbfish]

Didn't see that coming. I never went to a Monarch's game. So I guess that makes me part of the reason they're gone,

[stevetaebo]

Steve, if you look at the amount of money the Monarchs would have spent on just salaries this season...come back and tell me how much of a difference that was going to make.

Monty, you're right and it's probably insignficant amount compared to any of the players on the Kings. I'd imagine salaries (1 million) + other operating costs. Maybe 3-4 million a year to keep a franchise? Possibly, they make 1-2 million on tickets. So it could be a net loss of 1-2 million a year I assume. It's not a lot compared to a KT contract, but if you look at Maloofs position, you can operate a WNBA team if your #1 horse(Kings) is operating at a profit to pay for the Monarchs. But if the Kings are likely to be losing, then that income stream is not there to support this and you look at other areas. This is Really Really tough though

[kennadog]

I hate to say it, but if this move is going to somehow make the Kings more competitive by freeing up some cash for FA or trade to make them a better team, then I rather have that.

It doesn't change the financial picture at all for free agency or NBA-related salary cap or luxury cap limits. It frees up some money for operations and non-player personnel and operating costs.

They have been clearly cutting everything they can find for some time now. Fired Kozimor, eliminated pre-game, half-time and post-game TV broadcasts. Eliminated braodcasting pre-season games. And more.

Also, its not just eliminating the costs associated with the Monarchs. This move will open up the arena for booking events that may draw more paying customers than the Monarchs.

I loved the Monarchs and I love the Kings. I'm really down about this, I hoped this would never happen, but the economic signs were there to see. I am positive this was a very hard decision for the Maloofs.

But even those here who are home-town Kings fans better heed the signs. We get closer every day to losing the Kings, too and along with an arena for lots of other events.

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

Monty, you're right and it's probably insignficant amount compared to any of the players on the Kings. I'd imagine salaries (1 million) + other operating costs. Maybe 3-4 million a year to keep a franchise? Possibly, they make 1-2 million on tickets. So it could be a net loss of 1-2 million a year I assume. It's not a lot compared to a KT contract, but if you look at Maloofs position, you can operate a WNBA team if your #1 horse(Kings) is operating at a profit to pay for the Monarchs. But if the Kings are likely to be losing, then that income stream is not there to support this and you look at other areas. This is Really Really tough though

Yes compared to Thomas' contract, you could float 13 leagues, let alone WNBA franchises.

The Monarchs salaries were less than a million per season. Their overhead costs were relatively minimal if you consider they use back office staff for not only the Kings and Monarchs but also their ARCO event sales. The front office had little cross over, so again, the savings is minimal.

One of the Maloof brothers said a few years ago that you could break even in the WNBA with 6k in the building each night. The Monarchs I don't believe ever dipped below that since they owned them. They reportedly last turned a profit on the Ms side of the building I believe in 2008 maybe 2007..but I'm pretty sure they were in the black in 2008 because I believe it was reported as "modest" profit compared to seasons when they had deeper playoff runs. And all sports leagues tanked this year.

[raybrun]

I was really pumped about getting the 2nd best player in what should a be very strong draft at that level. Damn!
I sure hope they wind up in the east bay. We are from Fairfield and used to commute to every San Jose Laser game so we would keep supporting our women.

[NothinButHoops]

Feeling very low tonight & the void of not having the Monarchs in SacTown is starting to set in...
I will miss my team, the fans, the posse, the gatherings after games..win or lose... We were like a family. We really had passion for our team & the game. I really hope they can stay together, close to SacTown. Fans will have many roadtrips & the support will be there always!
Thanks for the years of enjoyment fellow fans & Monarchs.
Looks like my streak, of never missing a MONARCHS HOME GAME since 1997 has come to an end...the curtain is closing.

[Kings Faithful]

Should we be dissapointed? Yes... Should be angry at the Maloofs... No... If they had to do something as drastic as this, then it was necessary. Its not like they just brought it up in a meeting to save money one day. This is sad news, but to keep the Kings here... what has to be done, has to be done.

[mdme]

Would've been nice to have a group maybe stake part ownership with the Maloofs so that we could've kept them in sactown. sigh. Maybe this is a sign of deeper troubles in the WNBA that outsiders don't see.

[bibbinator]

I was planning to take my little girl to see the Monarchs this year or next. She's always so impressed when she sees that girls can do things like play professional basketball.

I'm a musician myself and I'm working to make sure that she knows she can be a musician too by making sure she sees female musicians. But the thing is, I only show her female musicians that I think are great, by any measure.

I have a lot of respect for the WNBA players and staff, but I think the game is weak. It's slow and dull, and the fact that they have such "great fundamentals" is no consolation.

If it were up to me I 'd lower the basket and knock a few seconds off the shot clock. That would make the game a lot more exciting. A good part of the fun of watching basketball is seeing the players attack the rim. If that doesn't happen it's not as good a game. It would be great to see more women dunk, but that ain't going to happen with a 10 foot high hoop.
And finally, drop the guilt aspect in the marketing. Tell me why I should watch the game rather than try to make me feel bad because I'm dismissing the talents of the female players.

The WNBA has to more than an esteem booster for women, it has to be interesting to watch for a large audience. It is not right now, and the sad thing is that it is a problem that can probably be fixed.

[uncommonclay]

Is WNBA's Monarchs bound for Oakland?

An Oakland councilwoman said Friday talks are under way with WNBA officials to relocate the Sacramento Monarchs to Oracle Arena.
"They are very serious about this," said Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan, who has been pushing the idea to have a team based in Oakland.

Greg Jamison, CEO of Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment that operates the Sharks and HP Pavilion, issued a statement saying he hasn't had discussions with WNBA officials to bring a team to San Jose.

[Circa_1985_Fan]

If they move to Oakland, I wonder if alot of the players will just continue to live here in Sacramento, beings that's it's so close?

Edit: I stll hope they change the team's name though.

[Rockmeister]

If they move to Oakland, I wonder if alot of the players will just continue to live here in Sacramento, beings that's it's so close?

Edit: I stll hope they change the team's name though.

Well, of course if they are going to relocate, they are going to have to change the team name. It won't be "Sacramento" Monarch's.

[6th]

Well, of course if they are going to relocate, they are going to have to change the team name. It won't be "Sacramento" Monarch's.

True, Rock, but I think he is talking about the Monarchs moniker. That goes with our Kings/Royals and some want to keep that.

[6th]

Posted on Twitter by Donna Orender (11/22):

A big thks to all of our Sacramento fans, u have brought so much to the league. Hope to keep the team in the bay area - we're working at it

[6th]

I'm not happy that non fans of the Monarchs, or the WNBA for that matter, have come here to poke sticks at the women's game while we are vulnerable. This is a painful experience for any fan of any sports team. Having said that, it is not okay to name-call and attack other members at Kingfans.com. Be careful where you go with this.

[hoopsfan]

I feel for you guys and will miss going to games with you, 6th, and meeting up after the games with the posse.
Hoping they can keep the team together.

[VF21]

One of the main rules of Kingsfans.com has always been "don't be a jerk." Apparently, at least one person can't read or doesn't think it applies in this situation.

NEWS BRIEF: It DOES apply in this situation. Certain people who have their own radio shows are free to say whatever they like on said radio shows. It doesn't carry over to here. For that reason, a couple of posts have been deleted.