Clinton Pal Burkle May Bid on Sacramento Kings

Billionaire Ron Burkle, a close friend of former President Bill Clinton’s, is in serious talks on a bid to buy the Sacramento Kings franchise. 

Burkle is a part owner of Pittsburgh Penguins NHL franchise and, according to USA Today, may join forces with 24-Hour Fitness Founder Mark Mastrov to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

A Seattle-based group has reached an agreement with the owners of the Kings to buy the franchise and move it to Seattle, where it would become the Sonics. NBA Commissioner David Stern has given Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson six weeks to find bidders who could make a counteroffer to keep the Kings in Sacramento. 

Johnson has told Seattle do not “celebrate too early.”

Burkle, who made his fortune in the supermarket business, reportedly has a private plane he and Clinton have often used that has been referred to as “Air F–k One.”