Carmichael Residents React to Kings Staying in Sacramento

Carmichael residents today said they are excited about the announcement that the Kings will stay in Sacramento for the 2011-12 season and are ready to support local efforts to build a new arena to replace the aging Power Balance Pavilion.

In a released statement, team owners made the announcement that they would not be moving the team to Anaheim next season but included one condition.

"Out of respect to Kings fans and the regional business community, we have decided to remain in Sacramento for the 2011-12 season," the statement reads. "However, if an arena plan cannot be finalized in a timely fashion, the NBA's relocation committee has assured Maloof Sports and Entertainment that it will support an application to move the franchise to another market starting in 2012-13."

Carmichael fans said they couldn't contain their emotions.

"I'm absolutely excited," said , who designed the website HereWeBuild.com for the grassroots fan movement of the same name. "We're a little concerned (about beyond next season) but I think we made enough noise... that it got the attention of the NBA."

Carmichael resident Janet Born said she welcomed the news.

"Great!," Born said. "Maybe I will make it to a game... although crowds are hard sometimes."

Peric said he, Sacramento sports radio personality and other Kings supporters used social media sites including Facebook and Twitter in ways that Seattle Supersonics fans did not before losing the team to Oklahoma City.

"Now it's hard work, getting people together with Here We Build," he said. "We're going to follow along the guidelines of what city leaders are doing and see how we can assist them."

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See Carmichael Patch editor Victor Calderon's on why the Kings are important to Sacramento.