Sacramento faces loss of the NBA Kings

A fan holds up a sign that pleads with the Sacramento Kings to stay put rather than moving out of town. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Jan. 25, 2013 3:58 PM PT

When the Kings came to Sacramento, they gave the city some bragging rights. Now that the team may be sold, there are a lot of long faces in this town with a longstanding inferiority complex.

Fans reach out to touch Kings players after a 106-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns at Sleep Train Areana on Jan. 23. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The Sacramento Kings pay the Phoenix Suns at the Sleep Train Arena on Jan. 23. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA star, has made it his mission to keep the Kings from moving out of town because of an ownership change. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The Sacramento Kings dance team performs during a break in the action between the Kings and the Phoenix Suns at Sleep Train Arena. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A fan cheers a three-point shot by the Sacramento Kings during a home game against the Phoenix Suns. The team’s owners have reached a deal with Seattle investors to sell the team. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A mural in downtown Sacramento virtually begs the Maloof family, the owners of the Sacramento Kings, to keep the team in town. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Sacramento Kings merchandise on sale before a game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A vast piece of land around the old railyards of Sacramento has been proposed as a possible site for a new arena to house the Sacramento Kings. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A wall at the MVP sports pub in Sacramento that is devoted to the Kings could become a forgotten part of the city’s history if the new owners of the professional basketball team decide to move the franchise to Seattle. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)