Cincinnati Royals history traces the journey of a proud NBA franchise that thrilled fans with exciting games and standout players. Originally the Rochester Royals, this team became a cornerstone of Cincinnati Royals basketball in the 1950s and 60s. Known for its passionate fan base, the franchise delivered memorable seasons before relocating and rebranding.
Established
1923
City
Rochester – Cincinnati – Kansas City – Sacramento
League History
1949 – Present / National Basketball Association
1948 – 1949 / Basketball Association of America
1945 – 1948 / National Basketball League
1923 – 1945 / Various Unknown Leagues
Team History
1985 – Present / Sacramento Kings
1975 – 1985 / Kansas City Kings
1972 – 1975 / Kansas City-Omaha Kings
1957 – 1972 / Cincinnati Royals
1923 – 1957 / Rochester Royals
Nickname
Royals – The Cincinnati Royals are a long-standing NBA team that has existed since the 1940s. The team's original name was the Rochester Royals, but after moving to Cincinnati in 1957, they adopted their current moniker. But where did this nickname come from?
It turns out that there is quite an interesting story behind it! When the franchise first began playing in 1945 as part of the National Basketball League (NBL), they were known as "The Rochester Seagrams," named after their sponsor at the time - Seagram Distillers Company. However, when NBL merged with BAA and formed what we know today as NBA, owners changed their name to reflect more regal origins - hence "Cincinnati Royals."
Cincinnati Royals Origin
Interestingly enough, though, this wasn't just due to some random choice by ownership; it was because of a special connection between one particular owner and royalty itself! That man was Les Harrison, who had once served on the board of directors for the British Royal Family’s racing stable called “Royal Stables Ltd,” which he believed gave him the right to use the term “royals" for his basketball team. Thus began an era where fans could proudly cheer on The Cincinnati Royals each season!
Today however, much has changed about both teams' names and locations; despite all these changes over the years, one thing remains the same – love for the history behind them still burns strong among diehard sports fanatics everywhere! So next time you're watching your favorite game or cheering along with other supporters at the stadium, don't forget to take a moment to appreciate how far back roots go...all way back to King George VI himself, perhaps?
Championship
NBA Championships 0
1951
Arena
2016 – Present / Golden 1 Center
2012 – 2016 / Sleep Train Arena
2011 – 2012 / Power Balance Pavilion
1888 – 2010 / ARCO Arena II
1985 – 1988 / ARCO Arena I
*Kansas City*
1974 – 1985 / Kemper Arena
1972 – 1978 / Omaha Civic Auditorium
1972 – 1974 / Kansas City Municipal Auditorium
*Cincinnati*
1957 – 1972 / Cincinnati Gardens
*Rochester*
1955 – 1957 / Rochester War Memorial
1949 – 1954 / Edgerton Park Arena
1923 – 1948 / Unknown Arena
Owner
2013 – Present / Vivek Ranadive
1999 – 2013 / George, Joe and Gavin Maloof
1992 – 1999 / Jim Thomas
1985 – 1992 / Gregg Lukenbill and Joe Benvenuti
1959 – 1985 / Thomas Woods
1923 – 1959 / Les and Jack Harrison
- 1957
- 1960
- 1966
-
Move to Cincinnati
In April 1957, the Harrison brothers moved the Royals to Cincinnati. This move followed a well-received regular-season game played at Cincinnati Gardens on February 1, 1957. The change of venue had been said to have been suggested by Jack Twyman and Dave Piontek, who were two of several roster players on the new Royals from that region. Cincinnati, which had ... -
Oscar Robertson era
In 1960, the team was able to land local superstar Oscar Robertson. Robertson led a team that included Twyman, Wayne Embry, Bob Boozer, Bucky Bockhorn, Tom Hawkins, and Adrian Smith over the next three seasons. The Royals reversed their fortunes with Robertson and rose to title contender. An ownership dispute in early 1963 scuttled the team’s playoff chances when new ... -
New Owners Jacobs
In 1966, the team was sold to Max and Jeremy Jacobs. That same season, the Royals began playing some of their home games in neutral sites such as Cleveland (until the Cavaliers began to play in 1970), Dayton, and Columbus, Ohio which was the norm for the rest of the Royals tenure in the Queen City. New coach Bob Cousy ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Cincinnati Royals History
Cincinnati Royals history reflects one of the NBA’s most important early franchises. Originally founded as the Rochester Seagrams in 1945, the team joined the National Basketball League before merging into the BAA, which later became the NBA. After winning the 1951 NBA championship as the Rochester Royals, the franchise relocated to Ohio in 1957 and became the Cincinnati Royals basketball team, creating a new chapter for the city’s sports scene.
Throughout the 1960s, Cincinnati Royals history included both highs and lows. The team developed a passionate fan base but often faced strong Eastern Division rivals like the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. Despite never reaching the NBA Finals as the Cincinnati Royals basketball team, their fast-paced style and star power cemented their reputation as one of the most exciting squads of the era.
Cincinnati Royals Achievements
The franchise’s achievements were highlighted by the arrival of Oscar Robertson, who averaged a triple-double during the 1961–62 season and earned numerous All-Star selections. Alongside teammates like Jack Twyman and Jerry Lucas, the Cincinnati Royals basketball team advanced deep into the playoffs multiple times, including Eastern Division Finals appearances in 1963 and 1964, showcasing their competitiveness in an era dominated by dynasties.
Ownership changes and roster shifts continued into the late 1960s, but Cincinnati Royals history still produced notable milestones. The team’s 1951 championship as the Rochester Royals, Oscar Robertson’s MVP award in 1964, and Jerry Lucas’s dominance on the boards all remain key highlights. In 1972, the franchise relocated to Kansas City, becoming the Kansas City–Omaha Kings (later the Sacramento Kings), but the legacy of the Cincinnati Royals basketball era endures as an essential part of NBA history and Cincinnati’s rich sports heritage.
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
1 / Nate Archibald
2 / Mitch Richmond
4 / Chris Webber
6 / Sacramento Fans “The Sixth Man”
11 / Bob Davies
12 / Maurice Stokes
14 / Oscar Robertson
16 / Peja Stojakovic
21 / Vlade Divac
27 / Jack Twyman
44 / Sam Lacey
*Blue is this team’s history