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With a local-based group succeeding in its bid to keep the National Basketball Association Kings in Sacramento, Comcast SportsNet California will retain the TV rights to the club – at least for the near term. The deal, under which the Maloof family has agreed to sell a 65% share in the Kings to a group led by TIBCO software owner Vivek Ranadive, is expected to be officially approved by the NBA next week. CSN California has a 10-year rights deal with the Kings that will transfer with the club, but expires at the end of the 2013-14 season, according to sources familiar with the agreement. Multichannel.com

Sacramento Kings, Media, Vivek Ranadive 

Phil Jackson apparently would like to have another stint in the NBA. The 11-time champion coach said Thursday evening on "The Tonight Show" that he was interested in a front-office job with the Seattle group that failed in an attempt to relocate the Sacramento Kings. "I had communication with the guy that's trying to make this move," Jackson said on the show, referencing Chris Hansen, the leader of the Seattle bid. "It was serious talk. I thought he was a really good guy for the league." Los Angeles Times

Sacramento Kings, Phil Jackson, Seattle, Chris Hansen 

Now that the team will remain in Sacramento, Jackson said he will not be working for the franchise. "I won't be doing the [front-office] job in Sacramento. I like Sacramento," Jackson said. "Well, not that much." Los Angeles Times

Sacramento Kings, Phil Jackson 

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson announced to screaming throngs of Kings fans Friday that the deal to sell the NBA franchise to a group led by software tycoon Vivek Ranadive has been signed. The announcement at a City Hall rally brings to an end nearly five months of maneuvering by Johnson to secure a new ownership group, convince the council to commit to building a new downtown arena, and to show the NBA that the capitol city of the most populous state in the nation has the fan base to make the venture successful. ESPN.com

Sacramento Kings, Owners, Kevin Johnson, Vivek Ranadive 

The mayor was conciliatory toward Seattle, but said he focused throughout the negotiations on promoting Sacramento as thriving city with 19 sellout seasons, one of the longest streaks in the NBA. "Seattle is a great city and we want them to get a team. For us, it was never a competition. It was about our community telling our story," Johnson said, adding: "It's about not letting someone take something that's not theirs." ESPN.com

Sacramento Kings, Seattle, Owners, Kevin Johnson 

Longtime Kings general manager Geoff Petrie is not expected to be retained either after the team's 28-54 campaign, and one possible successor who would certainly bring name recognition was on hand on Thursday night. Warriors legend Chris Mullin, who called Game 6 as a television commentator for ESPN, was in the team's front office from 2004 to 2009 and said he would be open to discussing the situation in Sacramento. He has met Ranadive several times but said they had not yet discussed the possibility. "I definitely would (be interested in the job)," he told USA TODAY Sports. "But you know, it's something that's got to be the right fit. It's gotta be – they need my expertise…I'm not one of those people to go solicit it. But a guy like him, if he called me and he needed me, I'd love that." USA Today Sports

Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Geoff Petrie, Chris Mullin, Owners, Vivek Ranadive 

Mullin, who lives in nearby Danville, joked that the geographical challenges that come with their respective locations could be easily solved. "He can pick me up (on his flight from Silicon Valley), " Mullin joked. "Land his helicopter at my house." USA Today Sports

Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Geoff Petrie, Chris Mullin, Owners, Vivek Ranadive 

Chris Mannix: League sources say owners offered to pay Hansen-Ballmer group the $30 million non-refundable deposit they paid the Maloofs. They declined. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Joe Maloof, Gavin Maloof, Chris Hansen 

Chris Mannix: Sources also say that hedge fund manager Chris Hansen will not file any lawsuits in relation to the Kings/Seattle situation. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Joe Maloof, Gavin Maloof, Chris Hansen 

Chris Mannix: Ownership sources agree the involvement of David Stern was critical in the process. Kings were in constant contact. Seattle group wasn't. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Joe Maloof, David Stern, Gavin Maloof, Chris Hansen 

The Maloof era in Sacramento, at times spirited and uplifting, at times dismal, appears to have come to an end. A Sacramento investors group has reached a deal with the Maloof family to buy its controlling stake in the Kings. The deal is expected to be unveiled today. "It's the start of a new era," said Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur Vivek Ranadive, leader of the Sacramento investor group, speaking to reporters after the Warriors game Thursday night. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Joe Maloof, Gavin Maloof, Vivek Ranadive 

Ranadive added, "We just need to sign some papers and finalize everything." If the NBA approves the deal, a source told The Bee, escrow is expected to close at the end of May. The source, a stakeholder close to the deal, said the Maloof family was eager to "turn the page" and was pleased it was able to sell to a group that will keep the team in Sacramento. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Joe Maloof, Gavin Maloof, Vivek Ranadive 

Tim Kawakami: Just saw Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob, who wouldn't reveal how he voted in Seattle relocation turn-down... Twitter @timkawakami

Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Joe Lacob, Owners 

Tim Kawakami: But Lacob said that there should be no problems replacing Vivek Ranadive's share of the Warriors when/if Ranadive assumes SAC ownership. Twitter @timkawakami

Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Joe Lacob, Owners, Vivek Ranadive 

Sean Cunningham: Just spoke to Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, said deal between Maloofs & Ranadive soon. Chris Hansen owning 20% "not realistic" #nbakings Twitter @News10Sean

Sacramento Kings, Owners, Kevin Johnson, Vivek Ranadive, Chris Hansen 

Steve Kyler: Sources close to the process in Dallas yesterday said that David Stern was an active participant in Seattle/Sac vote. Twitter @stevekylerNBA

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern 

The Kings interviewed six prospects Wednesday: Reggie Bullock (North Carolina), Alex Len (Maryland), Tim Hardaway Jr. (Michigan), Richard Howell (North Carolina State), Tony Snell (New Mexico) and Deshaun Thomas (Ohio State). Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Draft, Deshaun Thomas, Alex Len, Tony Snell, Tim Hardaway Jr, Reggie Bullock, Richard Howell 

Mayor Kevin Johnson arrived home today and said the group led by Silicon Valley executive Vivek Ranadive was close to finalizing a deal to buy the Sacramento Kings. "It's going to be close to being signed in the next day or two," the mayor said at Sacramento International Airport. "I'll be surprised if we get past the weekend. I feel very confident about that." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Owners, Kevin Johnson, Vivek Ranadive 

Speaking by phone, Kings co-owner George Maloof said negotiations with Ranadive are "going on fine." "These guys are good guys, I have a lot of respect for the people who are trying to buy the team in Sacramento," Maloof said. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, George Maloof, Owners, Vivek Ranadive 

Jon Santiago: KJ not concerned about any potential snags in finalizing #SacKings sale to Vivek. "This deal is done." http://t.co/HrUMgvIgI3 Twitter @itsjonsantiago

Sacramento Kings, Owners, Kevin Johnson, Vivek Ranadive