Pick and Scroll: Here We Stay

Growing up in the Sacramento area, the Kings have been a big part of my life, and definitely the reason I've been hooked on the NBA ever since. My fandom started with Mitch Richmond, in his final years with the Kings, and grew exponentially as the Kings became contenders on the shoulders of Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and co. I became a different type of fan when the Kings began to falter once more, one hoping for a better beginning and looking to get back to the top.

All that would be naught though if the Sacramento Kings don't have a plan for a new arena within the next year or two. The latest plan fell through a few months ago, and the NBA itself has seemingly given up hope on a new situation, although Mayor Kevin Johnson and the Maloofs haven't ... yet. I don't want what happened to Seattle to happen to Sacramento. I don't know what I would do if the Kings moved. As such, I don't feel that its right for us as fans to simply sit and wait out the situation.

Along with other Kings fans, we have founded a group called Here We Stay (in counter to the Kings current motto, Here We Rise). A call to action and a mission statement are after the jump. I know this is a general NBA blog, and I try to keep my Kings fandom out of it as much as possible, but this cause is too near and dear to me to let go.

If you're interested in simply following updates or showing support, follow Here We Stay on Twitter, or "Like" the Here We Stay page on Facebook.

Here We Stay is a local movement dedicated to helping the elected officials of the Sacramento area, the NBA and the Sacramento Kings get a new sports and entertainment facility built here in Sacramento.

We believe the economic and social benefits that a new sports and entertainment facility would bring the city of Sacramento and the entire region overwhelmingly provides enough incentive to make every effort now to get this done.

This is not a campaign to assign blame, nor a reactionary group. Here We Stay is a team of residents and fans intent on keeping a valued franchise in the area and highlighting the benefit a new facility would have on luring top musicians, popular entertainment acts and high-profile sporting events to the region.

As an advocate on behalf of Here We Stay I urge you to copy and send the below email or one written yourself to Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, the city council, county board of supervisors and the Maloofs. (Emails below the jump.) Together, we can make a difference.

You can keep updated on progress on a new facility through Here We Stay's Facebook page and Twitter feed.

------

Subject: I Support a New Arena

To Whom It May Concern:

As a proud resident of the Sacramento area, I, along with the other members of the Here We Stay movement, offer my support to any measure that you take to build a new sports and entertainment facility for the Sacramento Kings in the Sacramento region. I believe a solution can be found and am willing to back Mayor Kevin Johnson and any other local leaders with any proposal that helps make this a reality.

Sincerely,

NAME
CITY
Here We Stay