Say what you want about arena subsidies, the NBA-ificiation of downtown, K.J., DeMarcus Cousins, Slamson—whatever:
Last night’s Long Live The Kings rally in downtown
It better had been, given that two local concert promoters insisted the price tag was north of $250,000.
Yowza.
But don’t worry, fellow taxpayers: A spokesman with the Sacramento Kings didn’t have a figure for the total cost, but said that the NBA was picking up the bill.
Fans began lining up on
Organizers estimated 15,000. City police said upward of 10,000. I’ll tell you this: It was the busiest I’d seen Cesar Chavez ever (the only other event that rivaled its attendance was maybe that one time Deftones played Concerts in the Park).
Chris Webber and new Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé garnered massive applause, but Mayor Kevin Johnson took first place for loudest reception.
I’d never seen K.J. so pumped—he was kind of Ryan Seacrest meets Howard Dean in Iowa last night.
Sure, there was a mad dash to sell season tickets, and a lot of political posturing.
But there’s a time to kill the vibe—last night was not that moment.
Anyway, enough from me; here’s video and photo proof:
Short line getting longer #LLTKrally #nbakings vine.co/v/bVaj2DqwiIV
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 23, 2013
I think Think Big plopped down some coin on this here Kings party #nbakings #LLTKrally vine.co/v/bVWAwOHaJ5a
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
Only VIPs allowed in pit . No answer as to who r these VIPs. #LLTKrally vine.co/v/bVWhXUXTauD
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
VIPs only in the front #LLTKRally twitter.com/NickMiller916/…
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
#LLTKrally vine.co/v/bVW6IrgKhtH
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
Source insists that today’s Kings rally #LLTKRally costs at least a quarter-million dollars #NBAKings
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
Sunsetting on #LLTKRally PR blitz twitter.com/NickMiller916/…
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
@grantnapearshow and @tyrekeevans #LLTHKRally twitter.com/NickMiller916/…
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
It’s official: Frank Hannon’s rap protege sucks #LLTKrally vine.co/v/bV7HhIbF5nw
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
@vivek's daughter singing Tesla #LLTKrally vine.co/v/bV7dqM7IPPz
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
C-Webb #LLTKrally vine.co/v/bV7IzilUmFW
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
C-Webb #LLTKrally vine.co/v/bV7ThbbeA0B
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
C-Webb introduces K.J. to loudest applause of night by far. KJ chanting #LLTKrally vine.co/v/bV7tFAU3FZb
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
Never seen K.J. so pumped #LLTKrally vine.co/v/bV7FTaDg0Jh
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
K.J. and pro-tem Steinberg doing their best William Randolph Hearst tonight. Mad juju #LLTKrally vine.co/v/bV7UtnbItV5
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
Maloof thank-u applause = not so much #LLTKrally vine.co/v/bV7PIJhYQr6
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
K.J. introduces @vivek to second biggest applause of night #LLTKrally vine.co/v/bV7xpTMdWzu
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
@vivek inspires #HereWeStay chants #lltkrally vine.co/v/bV7Q1IBm2xv
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
@vivek christens “Gov. Johnson”–AND President Johnson. #LLTKRally
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
@carmichaeldave hugs@vivek as last speaker at #LLTKrally . Nice reckoning vine.co/v/bV7E6QYIjMF
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
The $300,000 rally is over. Who paid for it? Not me, thankfully! #LLTKRally twitter.com/NickMiller916/…
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller916) May 24, 2013
