Sacramento Kings Team History

The Kings moved to their current home of Sacramento, California in the 1985 – 1986 NBA season, with their first Sacramento season ending in the first round of the Western Conference 1986 NBA Playoffs. However, they saw little success in subsequent years, and the team did not make the playoffs again until the 1996 NBA Playoffs in the 1995 – 1996 NBA season. Some of their failure was attributable to misfortunes such as the career altering car crash suffered by promising point guard Bobby Hurley in 1993, and the suicide of Ricky Berry during the 1989 offseason; some was attributed to poor management such as the long tenure of head coach Garry St. Jean and the selection of “Never Nervous” Pervis Ellison with the first overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft. Current Kings television broadcaster Jerry Reynolds and NBA legend Bill Russell were among the early coaching staff.

The early 1990s were difficult for the Kings. Sacramento was known for having strong fan support, and while they won over 60% of their home games, the team struggled on the road, going 1–40 on the road in a single season. But prayers were answered when they acquired Mitch Richmond, who previously played for the Golden State Warriors. The former NBA Rookie of the Year was selected as an All-Star six times while making the All-NBA Second Team three times. Garry St. Jean was chosen as new coach in 1992 and coached the team all the way through 1997, where he was replaced by Eddie Jordan.

The Maloofs were the owners of the Sacramento Kings of the NBA from 1998 until 2013. The family consists of George J. Maloof, Sr., his wife Colleen, and their children: Adrienne Maloof, Joe Maloof, Gavin Maloof, George J. Maloof, Jr., and Phil Maloof.

The Maloofs had acquired a minority interest in the Kings in 1998 and took majority control the following year, with Joe and Gavin operating the franchise. As part of the purchase of the Kings, they also acquired the team’s sister franchise in the WNBA, the Sacramento Monarchs. The Maloofs operated the Monarchs until 2009, when the WNBA was unable to find a new owner and the team folded. Prior to the sale of the team, a previous deal had been reached, selling the Kings to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and investor Chris Hansen, who had hoped to move the team to Seattle. This sale was nullified on May 15, 2013, when the NBA Board of Governors denied the relocation in a vote of 22-8. The Maloof family also briefly owned the Houston Rockets from 1979 – 1982. The Rockets made the NBA Finals in 1981. The team was sold to Charlie Thomas in 1982.

On March 21, 2013, it was announced that Ranadive had joined Ron Burkle and Mark Mastrov to be a major investor in the attempt to purchase the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association. In order for Ranadive to purchase the Kings, he had to sell his share of the Golden State Warriors.

On May 16, 2013, it was announced that the Ranadive lead ownership group came to an agreement with the Maloof family to purchase 65 percent of the Kings for approximately $348 million and will keep the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento. The NBA approved the sale on May 28, and the deal was expected to close shortly thereafter. On May 31, 2013, escrow was closed on the sale of the Kings to the Ranadive-led ownership group. The transaction valuation of $534 million set a new NBA record. From the start of his tenure as owner, Ranadive set about applying concepts of big data and social networking to strengthen the Kings’ fanbase.

Golden 1 Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena, located in Downtown Sacramento, California. It sits partially on the site of the former Downtown Plaza shopping center. The publicly owned arena is part of a business and entertainment district called Downtown Commons, otherwise known as DoCo, which includes a $250 million 16-story mixed-use tower.

The arena, which replaced Sleep Train Arena as the home of the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association, hosts concerts, conventions and other sporting and entertainment events. 34 luxury suites were sold to include all events year-round. Suite partners have access to three exclusive clubs on the premium level including two skyboxes that overlook the concourse and have a direct view of the outside. There are 48 loft-style suites. Capacity is expandable to about 19,000 to accommodate concert audiences.