OAKLAND, Calif. -- NBA Commissioner David Stern said Friday night that the counteroffer to keep the Sacramento Kings from moving to Seattle needs to be increased financially before the league's owners would even consider the bid.
Speaking to reporters before the Golden State Warriors hosted the Houston Rockets, Stern said the Sacramento group's offer has some "very strong financial people behind it but it is not quite there in terms of a comparison to the Seattle bid." He added that "unless it increases, it doesn't get to the state of consideration."
The league has scheduled a meeting April 3 in New York to avoid rushing debate on the issue. Representatives from Sacramento and Seattle will have a chance to present their case at that meeting, Stern said.
The NBA Board of Governors will convene April 18, when a vote is expected to take place on the sale and relocation of the Kings franchise. A sale of a franchise requires a three-fourths majority approval of owners, while relocation requires just a simple majority (see full story).
Ex-NBA player Fernandez allegedly attacked by fans
MADRID -- European basketball authorities say they will investigate an alleged assault of former NBA player Rudy Fernandez while he was boarding the team bus in Lithuania.
Fernandez plays for Real Madrid, and the mayhem followed his team's 105-104 overtime win over Zalgiris Kaunas on Thursday.
Madrid official Juan Sanchez says two fans hit Fernandez on the shoulder and neck and struck a security guard several times. The Euroleague says it has asked for reports from both teams and the local police.
Fernandez used to play for the Portland Trail Blazers and was back in his home country of Spain on Friday. He says he is fine and thankful "things did not go further."
He stresses that "people should not think that all Lithuanian fans are like that just because of these two people. Not at all."
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