Because the Think Big Coalition's funding model doesn't need taxes or a public vote, the NBA's labor problems don't affect the arena process.   As long as the city council agrees to a financing plan, and the NBA signs off, the Kings stay.

But, Mayor Kevin Johnson says the lockout could have a $10 million affect on the region, depending on how many games are cancelled.

JOHNSON: "When teams come and stay at the Hyatt over the course of a season, that's over a five-month period, that's $250,000 that the Hyatt now has lost out on.  That means restaurants and retailers and everybody as a part of this community, that spinoff, those dollars that get spread around our community won't be coming into Sacramento."

  Johnson is one of 15 local mayors who sent a letter to the players and NBA Commissioner David Stern reminding them how the region is suffering.

Johnson is confident there are still behind-the-scenes-talks being conducted.  As a player, he was part of the labor talks when NBA players went on strike before the start of the 1998-99 season.  The two sides came to an agreement in January of 1999 and the NBA played a 50-game season, instead of the traditional 82 games.