The Mayor now says an announcement could come by next weekend, "We have made considerable progress in discussions with a potential ownership group.  What has become very clear to me is that all of the ownership groups that we are talking to -they recognize that Sacramento is a strong NBA market and they are fully-committed to keeping the team in Sacramento."

Johnson says three groups have approached him about making a bid for the Kings.  Billionaires Ron Burkle and Mark Mastrov are heading up two of the groups. 

Twenty one local business people have committed a million dollars each to help buy the team.

National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern is scheduled to talk with Johnson by phone Thursday.