There has been talk for the past few years of the Sacramento Kings moving to a different city. Plans to build a new arena have fallen through time and time again, with issues ranging from the placement of the arena to the unwillingness of taxpayers to chip in.

Moving the Kings out of Sacramento would be a mistake. Sure, they’re absolutely terrible now, and they can’t sell out a game unless someone’s jersey is being retired, but it goes deeper than that.

For years, many Sacramentans lived and died by the successes and failures of the team. Local restaurants and bars were packed during game nights, especially in the playoffs. Signs showing support for the team were hung from freeway overpasses and buildings.

When the Kansas City Kings moved to Sacramento in 1985, it gave the city a new identity. Basketball fans consistently filled the original Arco Arena, which had a capacity of 10,333 people.

In its first season in Sacramento, the Kings made the playoffs. After that, it took 10 years for the team to reach the playoffs again. Despite this, capacity crowds still managed to fill up Arco Arena, even once the current Arco Arena was built, with seating up to 17,317.

Earlier this month, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said the franchise could lose up to $25 million this year, according to The Sacramento Bee.

Maloof indicated that he wants to keep the team in Sacramento, but he told the Bee “we’re at rock bottom, and we’ve got to turn everything around.”

Cal Expo appears to be the location in which the new arena would be built.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is in favor of keeping both the Kings and the Monarchs, Sacramento’s WNBA team, in town.

“I think it is critically important to keep the Sacramento Kings and the Monarchs in the city; they are an enormous point of pride to Sacramento,” Johnson said on his website.

Johnson, a former NBA player, said a new arena would be used for several events and not just basketball.

“As mayor, it will be my job to encourage alternative funding options for bringing a multi-purpose entertainment venue to the city of Sacramento,” he said on his website. “This venue would not only provide an arena for the Kings and the Monarchs but also house an array of different types of entertainment opportunities for Sacramentans and the region.”

Johnson said it would also create jobs, encourage tourism and provide revenue to the city.

There are two things going against the Kings right now: the deplorable economy and the team’s performance on the court.

The Maloofs will be as hard pressed as ever to find taxpayers willing to chip in towards a new arena, but there are some things to consider.

For those of you who aren’t basketball fans, a new arena would still be beneficial. Like Johnson said, it goes beyond sports. A new, bigger, state-of-the-art arena could potentially yield more concerts and shows.

Also, the Kings aren’t going to be this bad forever. It would be a shame to see the team move somewhere like Las Vegas and contend for a championship in a few years. Hey, it could happen.

Sports Illustrated once proclaimed Kings fans as the loudest fans in the league. Surely some of us can remember the cowbell days and the intense playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers.

A new arena is needed in Sacramento. Let’s find a way to get this thing done.

Kyle Kershner can be reached at [email protected]