NBA Panel: Kings Should Stay In Sacramento

Correction: An earlier version of this story inaccurately said the NBA’s Relocation Committee is made up 12 owners, including Clay Bennett. The committee is made up of seven members and includes Clay Bennett.

The effort to move pro basketball’s Sacramento Kings to Seattle has suffered a serious setback. In a two sentence statement, the NBA said Monday that its relocation committee has unanimously recommended against the move.

The relocation committee is made up of seven owners, including Clay Bennett. He’s the former Sonics owner who moved the team to Oklahoma City.

Despite today’s recommendation the decision is not final. The NBA’s board of governors is scheduled to meet in the week of May 13 to vote on the issue.

The Kings’ majority owners have had an agreement since January to sell a controlling interest in the team to a Seattle group led by investor Chris Hansen.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson has helped put together a competing counter offer complete with a new arena plan.

Statement from NBA:

NBA RELOCATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT

BOARD OF GOVERNORS DENY KINGS’ REQUEST TO RELOCATE

NEW YORK, April 29, 2013 – The NBA announced today that the league’s relocation committee has unanimously recommended that the NBA board of governors deny the application of the Sacramento Kings to relocate to Seattle. The board will convene during the week of May 13 to vote on this matter.