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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 

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 

"We've never wavered in our desire to return to the Seattle market at some point," Silver said. "... Expansion was discussed at least as a possibility down the road. We want to wait and see what happens in our next national television negotiation but we're very appreciative of the fans in Seattle, as we always were. We regretted leaving the market. ... We fully expect we will return there one day." USA Today Sports

Seattle, Adam Silver 

Seattle Major Mike McGinn: “I have been committed to making sure that Seattle’s in a position to get a team. And in terms that make sense for Seattle. That’s one of the really great parts about this arena plan, is the way in which it protected our budget. And we were creative in how we structured the deal. … I’ve reached out to David Stern in the past and I’ll do what’s required to bring a team back to Seattle.” Sports Radio Interviews

David Stern, Seattle, Mike McGinn 

The six-time NBA all-star and wife Marvena Kemp are bringing basketball back to Seattle after all, serving as the backbone of the ownership group behind the Seattle Flight, the International Basketball League's newest squad. The Flight will first play five games this coming season against some of the IBL's top contending teams. Only playing in a portion of contests through the upcoming season, such a trial run will help determine market visibility. The organization will subsequently be integrated as one of the IBL's full-time teams sometime within the next three years. Ridiculous Upside

Shawn Kemp, Seattle 

A Sacramento Kings official denied today that the team has been sold to a Seattle group. "That rumor is inaccurate," said the source, who declined to be named. An NBA representatives declined comment this morning on the rumor, which surfaced on the Internet. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Seattle 

James Ham: My sources are confirming that the Sacramento Kings have not been sold to the Seattle group. Last night's rumor is false. Twitter @James_Ham

Sacramento Kings, Seattle 

Super agent David Falk’s daughter Daina tweeted yesterday that Seattle billionaire Chris Hansen has already come to an agreement with the Maloofs to buy the Kings, calling it a “done deal.” Since those rumors hit the Twittersphere, she backed off a bit on her Facebook page and deleted her tweets at about 9 a.m. ET (original here). Seattle writer Chris Daniels wasn’t in a hurry to address the “rumors” last night, adding that “it isn’t over until it’s over” and that’s a point of agreement here. NBCSports.com

Sacramento Kings, Seattle 

After releasing its own study of the traffic impact of a proposed sports arena in the SODO neighborhood, Port of Seattle commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to delay the approval of the proposal. Investor Chris Hansen wants to build a $490 million NBA/NHL arena just south of Safeco Field and east of the Port of Seattle. king5.com

Seattle, Chris Hansen 

Seattle Councilmember Richard Conlin made a new strong stand against the arena."I am not convinced that the proposed arena will make a significant contribution to economic development," Conlin said in a blog post published Tuesday. "It will bring some new money into Seattle and will divert some other money that people might have spent on other activities. The economists who have studied this proposal agree (as do studies of every other such project) that the net effect is very small." king5.com

Seattle, Chris Hansen 

A Port of Seattle commissioner says a report due Tuesday identifies traffic issues, rather than solutions, in the event of a new SODO sports arena. John Creighton said Monday night the long awaited study, commissioned by the Port of Seattle, identified bottlenecks and areas which need to be addressed in the neighborhood. Investor Chris Hansen wants to build a $490 million NBA/NHL arena just south of Safeco Field. Creighton, who has been briefed on the report, acknowledged the results may be "unsatisfying.” king5.com

Seattle, Chris Hansen 

The plans for a new arena that could bring the NBA back to Seattle has taken another step forward with the King County Council possibly taking a vote on the proposal as early as next week. The council announced Monday it was moving the memorandum of understanding between investor Chris Hansen and the county out of committee and for a possible full council vote on July 30. Both the county council and the Seattle City Council must approve it. NBA.com

Seattle, Chris Hansen 

Hansen has proposed a $490 million facility with $290 million in private investment, and the remaining $200 million bonded by the city and county and paid off through arena-generated taxes and revenues over the next 30 years. The amount being bonded is less on the county, and it was initially believed the county wouldn't vote until after the city took action on the proposal. The city council hasn't announced a timeline for a possible vote. NBA.com

Seattle, Chris Hansen 

Seattle City Councilman Richard Conlin said Tuesday that he believes it’s unlikely the proposed NBA arena will be approved. Conlin is the first person with a vote to publicly say he believes the $490 million arena proposal by investor Chris Hansen is unlikely to pass. In an e-mail to arena supporters, Conlin questioned why the project should receive public funds unlike other businesses that want to locate in Seattle. And he urged arena proponents to lobby Hansen to pursue the project as a completely private enterprise. Under Hansen’s plan, he would put in $300 million into the $490 million deal, with the city and King County adding the rest in money, which, he said, would be paid back through ticket fees and rent. Q13 Fox

Seattle, Chris Hansen 

Chris Hansen sees the groundswell of support that seems to be developing in the community for his push for a new arena that could bring the NBA back to Seattle. The leading investor in the project hopes those supporters don't become disillusioned if it ends up taking five to seven years for pro basketball to return if Hansen's current arena proposal is approved by local lawmakers. ESPN.com

Seattle, Chris Hansen 

Hansen declined to talk about specific franchises or details about discussions with the NBA. "With the different opportunities that are out there, our job is to stand up and make the best case for Seattle," Hansen said. "It's not to be predatory and go out there and wrestle a franchise loose from some town where the ownership group wants to keep it there. It's when the decision is made that they would like to relocate, we would like to be the option for that relocation." ESPN.com

Seattle, Chris Hansen 

Kevin Pelton: GP declares he'll move back to Seattle if the Sonics return. Twitter

Gary Payton, Seattle 

A group hoping to build an NBA arena is holding a Bring Back Our Sonics rally Thursday afternoon in the city's Pioneer Square area, not far from the proposed arena location near the homes of the Mariners and Seahawks. Oklahoman

Seattle 

Organizers expected thousands of fans to show up to see former Sonics stars, including Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton and Detlef Schrempf, who played in the NBA Finals in 1996 against Chicago. Oklahoman

Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Seattle, Detlef Schrempf 

The push to build a new arena in Seattle with the hopes of seeing the NBA return now has another name to go along with that of hedge-fund manager Chris Hansen: Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Ballmer will be part of the investment group for both the arena and the acquisition of an NBA franchise, according to a letter sent Wednesday by Hansen to King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. A copy of the letter was obtained by The Associated Press. That Ballmer is part of the investment group is not a surprise. Ballmer is a longtime basketball fan who regularly sat courtside at SuperSonics games before their departure to Oklahoma City in 2008 and was part of a group that made a last-ditch effort to try to keep the team in Seattle. cbc.ca

Seattle, Steve Ballmer, Chris Hansen