NBA Blocks Kings Move To Seattle: What Do You Think?

Ouch.

Despite an approved public-private arena deal in Seattle, a multi-billion-dollar ownership group and renewed ferver for a professional basketball's return, NBA owners today rejected a proposal to move the Sacramento Kings to the Northwest.

The Board of Governers voted 22-8 to keep the team in California's capital city. It came after a unanimous vote from the board's relocation committee to reject the move last month.

Wednesday's decision set off collective cheers and sighs throughout Sacramento, where the future of the Kings has been unclear for years.

Meanwhile, in Seattle - where the Supersonics departed for Oklahoma City in 2008 - supporters were dismayed, angry and shocked.

"Today’s NBA vote is disappointing," King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a statement. "I’ve gotten to know Chris Hansen and he’s a patient, determined man who is in it for the long run."

But there was optimism following the decision, as well as a press conference with outgoing NBA Commissioner David Stern and incoming Commissioner Adam Silver.

Even Stern - for whom Seattle fans carry a collective distate after he helped orchestrate the Sonics' departure and seemingly held Sacramento's hand throughout this latest process - said he envisioned the NBA continuing its relationship with the prospective Seattle group. That group is led by hedge fund manager Chris Hansen, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Eric and Peter Nordstrom.

While fans might be skeptical of Stern's comments, Silver told reporters that the NBA is ready to return to the discussion of expansion, which had been viewed as all but a dead issue with the NBA owners.

But for Sonics fans anticipating a return of professional basketball to Seattle next year, the vote was crushing.

In Tacoma, Kris Brannon, a.k.a., "Sonics Guy" and one of the biggest supporters of the NBA's return, told Patch that Stern and the NBA missed on an immediate opportunity to return to top-tier market.

"Stern probably figured out that moving teams is a mistake," Brannon said. "Unfortunately, it seems he figured it out one team too late."

But even Brannon appeared confident that Seattle, despite Wednesday's vote, is destined for a professional basketball team. The biggest thing going in Seattle's favor, he said, is Hansen.

"Chris Hansen says he's going to keep fighting," Brannon said. "A lot of good things came from this."

"It just shows you what can happen when you stay positive. It's not a matter of it will happen. It's a matter of when."

So we ask you, Patch users: What are your thoughts following the NBA's decision to not move the Kings to Seattle? Are you disappointed? Angry? Dismayed? Are you confident that Seattle will get a team eventually? Tell us in the comments below.