In the final battle for the Kings, Mayor Kevin Johnson has revealed his secret bidders or “whales” to combat the Maloof brothers’ harpoon-wielding Hansen Group in the Sacramento State of the City address.

Johnson’s whales, 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov and part owner of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins Ron Burkle are Sacramento’s current bidders in an effort to keep the Kings in Sacramento. If their endeavor proves successful this area will not only keep a professional team of 27 seasons, but will also acquire a new stadium in the heart of downtown.

Sacramento has struggled for years to shake the stigma of being a “cowtown” and come April 18, if the NBA Board of Governors rules to move the Kings to Seattle, this area might never be taken seriously.

“(Without the Kings) there is nothing to unite us as a city; there is no team at all,” said freshman criminal justice major Sam Poarch.

With a population of almost 1.5 million according to the California 2010 census, Sacramento County would be the largest U.S. media market without a professional team. The Sacramento media market is ranked 20th according to broadcast website stationindex.com. All 19 cities and metropolitan areas ahead of Sacramento have at least one professional team, and some have three or four. This area is simply too big to not host a nationally recognized professional team.

Having this market without a franchise would leave thousands of Kings fans without a team to cheer for and kids that would grow up to be potentially new fans would be forced to applaud for another city. To prove this area is still a profitable marketplace, the organization “Here We Buy” has found more than 5,500 locals who have pledged to purchase season tickets in the newly proposed stadium. If every pledge made good on his or her offer, it would equal more than $23 million.

The center-piece of the deal presented by Johnson is to be the new stadium that would take the place of the Westfield Downtown Plaza; a new stadium would affect more Sacramentans than just the basketball enthusiast. The contracting group involved would find steady work and the demolishing of downtown plaza and construction of the new arena would undoubtedly interfere with traffic.

“I think it is a real good location for it. It’s got the train station right there; it is right next to old town Sacramento,” said alumnus Jason Brown. “I think it would be a really cool spot with a lot of history down there.”

A new arena that would meet the NBA’s standard would also be more than adequate for major musical acts to perform. Sacramento is often overlooked for upcoming concerts from artist that are known to pack arenas. Larger markets like Oakland’s Oracle Arena and San Jose’s HP Pavilion can house 19,596 and 17,496 respectively compared to Sleep Train Arena’s 17,317.

Aside from the coma-inducing name, Sleep Train Arena cannot compete with the impressive renovations to Oracle Arena in 1996. HP Pavilion has a slew of notable concerts it has hosted over the years, including Madonna, Lady Gaga, Rush and Coldplay.

Additionally, Johnson ecstatically announced at the State of the City address that the city would also attempt to resurrect the Monarchs, the WNBA team that folded in 2009.

“Back when they were good they were the heart and soul of this town. I think Arco still holds the record for the most sold-out games in a row,” said junior criminal justice major Brad Davis. “I think it would be weird for the capital to not have a team and LA would have like 3 teams.”

The ultimate verdict on whether the Kings stay here permanently or leave to become the revived Seattle Sonics is yet to be determined. The Kings have a rich history in Sacramento. Bad management on the part of the Maloof brothers and a slump in arena attendance in recent years is no reason to move without the city’s consideration. Keeping the boys in purple will mean more than just more green for this city. There was a time not long ago when the Kings name suited their royal status in Sacramento.

Anthony can be reached at: [email protected]