Gavin Maloof mingles in Yuba City

It was an evening of exclusivity, down to the guest list being checked outside the front door. Live jazz from a tenor sax and seven-string guitar greeted all entrants, who gravitated toward the open bar on the patio for glasses of pinot.

Caterers in all black navigated the spacious, wooden-floored great room. Hors d'oeuvres, creme brulee, a carving station — all in addition to platters situated by the cases of antique Chinese art. The tables were adorned with purple confetti, each strand shimmering along with the Swarovski crystal sculpture in the corner.

A setting befit for a name synonymous with opulence: Maloof.

On Monday at a home in south Yuba City, a select group of area residents were invited to a meet-and-greet with Sacramento Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof.

He mingled, sipped on a drink and shook hands before speaking to the 50-or-so guests about the future of the franchise. He wore a black pinstripe suit, yet went sans tie, conveying the upscale, yet casual nature of the evening. As he spoke into the microphone, representatives from the team stood by an enlarged map of Power Balance Pavilion. This was prime opportunity to sell season tickets.

"Great to be here in Yuba City and Marysville, a wonderful community," Maloof said. "We're proud to have the Kings here and proud to say this is part of the Kings' country."

From the applause-filled introduction to his final "thank you," Maloof spoke for nearly five minutes, imparting positivity about the team and its influx of young talent. Because of the NBA's lockout, he was vague. Rules permit him mentioning players. The word "Fredette" means a fine. Marcus Thornton could only be referred to as a "another player who played last year who played well."

"It's difficult," Maloof told the Appeal-Democrat after his speech. "I have to try and catch myself, we're really excited about the future about this team. We're positioned better than any team in the NBA to make some noise."

He would soon depart to another event, the attendees were told. And like the names Tyreke Evans, Demarcus Cousins and Jimmer Fredette, his public comments were missing one word, one which is vital to sustaining an NBA franchise in Northern California: Arena.

A new complex is a necessity of keeping the Kings in the region. And before he bid goodbye, Maloof said in a short interview that the outlying areas will have to contribute.

"Well, it's very important because everyone needs to pitch in to help with this arena effort, it can't just come from one county," he said. "It has to come from the six adjoining counties, everybody has to put in their fair share ... we have a lot of Kings fans here and fans that enjoy coming to the arena and coming to the arena for other events."

He echoed a common theme of the partygoers, many of whom already possess season tickets and a purple-fueled passion for NBA basketball. When asked for ideas on what viable ways an area like Yuba-Sutter could financially contribute, he didn't "have a specific way that it can happen." When asked for a percentage on his confidence that an arena deal would be completed, he passed, yet still responded with charisma.

"People have to understand that we have one of 30 franchises in the entire world, and so we're all blessed. I'm blessed to be an owner; they're (the fans) blessed to have this team in their region," he said. "Think about it, there's only 30 NBA franchises. The value of the franchise is great, and the recognition it does for the city (Sacramento), the whole area, all of Northern California."

In his mind, from businesses to the "man on the street," the "will is there to get it done."

Currently, the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce "has not taken a position on the arena project," according to a press release. They added they are "not considering taking a position" until a plan and funding are put in place. The organization will be hosting an informal session with Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson on August 1 at the Yuba College Theater. He will speak and take questions from chamber members.

Monday's event was envisioned by, and hosted at the home of Janice Soohoo Nall, a Kings Ambassador (community leader). Her courtside season tickets were an object of envy for many. She's as committed as they come, attending nearly every game with her daughter, Sami, for more than a decade.

"There's a huge fan base in this community," she said. "We approached them and said we'd love to have Gavin come out."

She didn't have a definitive idea on how an arena could be financed, though she'd be crestfallen and cold if her team ever moved to Anaheim.

"Oh gosh," Soohoo Nall said, "I'll have to take up skiing."