Revealing Aggression

On 5/16, the King’s Fan made me proud. Their recent outbursts in Arco made me smile (and occasionally giggle, but only in the most manly of fashions). Now, if you don’t know what I’m talking about, let me set the scene:

Anthony Peeler has just been suspended for throwing an elbow at Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett. It’s pandemonium at Arco!! Coaches are furious, teammates incensed, and announcers are lamenting the brutal punch.

But, you ask yourself, what is King’s Fan doing? Well, what would you do if you were drunk and surly about the recent ejection of King’s guard Anthony Peeler. That’s right! You’d hurl glow sticks onto the court! Amongst coaches, teammates, and refs, dozens (maybe dozens of dozens) of glow sticks rained down, launched from every irritated fan.
You might call it a mediocre display of dissent against the NBA, but I call it an illuminating moment in sports (get it? Glow sticks…illuminating? Hahahaha. Phew, now that’s comedy!). Bad jokes aside, the spectacle was memorable, because it so immediately highlighted the consumer/capitalist system.
I was tempted to entitle this piece, “Basketball is Business,” but I think the glow stick debacle reveals that. As the first glow stick hit the court, TV, radio and Arco announcers chastised the fan. “This is embarrassing,” bemoaned ABC broadcasters. As I watched the events, the Arco announcer began reminding fans to behave civilly. They were to, “remain in control,” as the ejection and fouls were administered.
I would disagree, however, with the ABC broadcaster. The event wasn’t embarrassing but rather, befitting. Prior to the blow-up, the Maloof family (owners of the Sacramento Kings) positioned themselves as the fan’s friend. According to the Maloofs, they were in-sync with the fans particular wants and desires. Moreover, Arco was billed as a surrogate home for the Kings fan.
So, sitting amongst Maloof “buddies,” who tout the Kings Fan as imperative in each game, is it any wonder the fans acted the way they did? They felt entitled to express themselves. And, while they expressed themselves, it became apparent they were not entitled to express themselves. As security cracked down on those throwing glow sticks, the fan (hopefully) recognized their place in Arco.

FANS DON’T MATTER!

Well, I should correct myself:

FANS MATTER TO THE MALOOFS INSOMUCH AS THEY HAVE MONEY!

The Kings were purchased as an investment, an investment that involves the fan, the consumer. The Maloofs will feign friendship until you’ve spent your money. They’re building a franchise for the profit, not the fan. When the money dries up, they’ll blow away.
The Maloofs are not your friends looking to forgive your indiscretions (and believe me, throwing a glow stick in a stadium is a no-no). If you pose a risk, they’ll snatch you out of your seat, and refuse you re-admittance. Arco is a private space, not public property. You may be able to throw glow sticks in your house, but try it in Arco and you’ll face the repercussions. The Maloofs may imply Arco is home-away-from-home, but in the arena you’re under the watchful eye of your “buddies.” Movement within Arco is a privilege, and never a right.
Recently, the term “spin doctor” has entered public discussion. It is important to remember that spin doctors are amorphous, existing in many forms. I write this essay as a suggestion that the Maloofs are spin doctors par excellence. They are not your friends, and neither are the Kings. The Kings are the property of the Maloofs, and with their invitation, you can watch. Would a friend charge you admittance?