Sacramento set to pitch arena plan to NBA

SACRAMENTO, April 12 (UPI) -- Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson Tuesday announced plans to meet with the NBA to discuss a strategy for a new arena that would keep the Kings in town.

Accompanying the mayor to Thursday's meeting in New York with the NBA Board of Governors will be Tim Romani, president and chief executive officer of the ICON Venue Group, who will provide details of the city's latest plan to build a new arena for the Kings.

The Kings have been laying the groundwork for a move south to Orange County after repeated failures to win public support for a new home court. Johnson told reporters he was confident this plan would work.

"I want the NBA to know that even though we've had failed attempts in the past, I think it's a new era in Sacramento," Johnson said. "Whether the Kings are here or not, our commitment is to go forward with a new facility in the next four years."

The Sacramento Bee said ICON was working with Sacramento developer David Taylor on a study of the arena plan that will be completed in May.

The Kings ownership has until Monday to ask the league formally for permission to relocate to Honda Center in Anaheim.