NBA Relocation Committee Votes Against Seattle

The NBA announced on Monday that its relocation committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Kings remain in Sacramento instead of moving to Seattle.

The recommendation isn't necessarily the end of the discussion, as the NBA Board of Regents still has to vote on the matter, but it is a major indicator of which way the regents will vote. The city of Seattle has made a strong push to get an NBA team since the Sonics relocated to Oklahoma City as the Thunder in 2008. For now it appears their efforts have been thwarted, at least in the short term.

Sacramento appeared to be in serious trouble with losing the Kings just a few months ago, but strong efforts made by Sacramento mayor – and former NBA player – Kevin Johnson and local support groups have a made a significant difference in recent weeks. As has the proposal of a potential new ownership group for the team.

The matter will officially be voted for on May 13. If the vote does not reflect the committee's recommendation, a franchise move requires 16 "Yes" votes from the 30 NBA owners.