With the news that the Golden State Warriors will be moving back across the Bay this morning, excitement comes along with some concerns about funding, parking, anda number of other things. Still, there is much more optimism than doubt at the moment, especially from those involved in the project who seemed elated at the idea of moving back to San Francisco.
Tim Kawakami as well as a few other Bay Area media members got the chance to speak to some of the folks at the Golden State Warriors press conference this morning, including NBA commissioner David Stern.
Quick overview: Warriors really want to do this. But they know just saying it doesn't make it true. Long process ahead. Plan B still there.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) May 22, 2012
Plan B is moving next door to the San Francisco Giants, possibly creating a scenario similar to what they have around the Staples Center in Los Angeles in the "L.A. Live" area that includes the Nokia theatre. Still, much of the success of the project is hinging on the city of San Francisco, though Stern noted that they City is ready, willing and able to get this project done.
Stern cited SF's eagerness as a key factor. "There is I think a coming together of the stars that's going to cause this project to work."
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) May 22, 2012
'Coming together of the stars' is a great way to put it, though 'an alignment of pocketbooks' could be a bit more fitting.
Joe Lacob's jesting comment to Stern that the W's were the highest priced NBA franchise ever sold during the press conference didn't go unnoticed, especially with the team claiming all private money will fund this project. Stern was not concerned about funding the arena.
Stern disagreed w/suggestion this group is a bit leveraged already. He said financing arena "is going to be the easiest part of the deal."
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) May 22, 2012
Lots of paperwork, meetings, logistics, construction and much much more will be in the works for the next few years, but today was a good jumping off point for the Warriors' big move back to the City.
For more on the Warriors, make sure to follow this StoryStream as well as Golden State of Mind.
