Fans, businesses disappointed in NBA's decision to keep Kings in Sacramento

SEATTLE — After the NBA Board of Governors voted to keep the Kings in Sacramento, Sonics fans were disappointed, but some were hopeful a team would come back to Seattle in the future.

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Henry Rosoff spoke with Don Tremblay, the owner of T.S. McHugh’s in Lower Queen Anne, who said the only thing he could think about was the business he lost Wednesday when the NBA rejected Seattle’s bid for a team.

“Every night there was a Sonics game we were packed, so yeah, it’s a big hit,” said Tremblay. “If they put it off to expansion in two to three years, they’re going to have time to build the new arena, and by then we’ll be out of the loop all together.”

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said he’s still holding out hope the city will get an NBA team.

“I guess my message to the fans is, 'I’m disappointed along with you; you have every right to be disappointed, but hang in there,'” said McGinn. “We’ve got a really strong NBA market.  We’ve got a great fan base, a great ownership team, and a great arena deal.”

Save Our Sonics founder Steve Pyeatt said he also sees a team coming within a few years.

“I think every Sonics fan should be encouraged and that we will get this done,” said Pyeatt. “I’ve always thought expansion would be the best way to go for us, because we’ve never taken another city’s team. Every team we have here is homegrown.”

KIRO