Sacramento Kings: A Complete History of the Franchise, Its Owners, Arenas, Hall of Famers, and Greatest Legends The Sacramento Kings are one of the oldest franchises in professional basketball. Their story stretches from the early days of the National Basketball League through the NBA’s growth into a global sport. Along the way, the franchise has represented Rochester, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Omaha, and Sacramento, building a history filled with championship basketball, legendary players, memorable coaches, devoted fans, and dramatic playoff battles. Although the Kings have experienced long periods without a championship, their history includes an NBA title, multiple Hall of Fame figures, individual award winners, and one of the most exciting teams of the early 2000s. The Beginning: From Rochester to Sacramento The franchise was founded in 1923 as a semi-professional basketball team in Rochester, New York. It later became the Rochester Royals and joined the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1945. The Royals won the 1945–46 NBL championship and joined the newly formed Basketball Association of America in 1948. When the BAA and NBL merged in 1949, the Royals became part of the NBA. The Rochester Royals reached the top of professional basketball by winning the **1951 NBA championship**, defeating the New York Knicks in seven games. That championship remains the franchise’s only NBA title. In 1957, the team moved to Cincinnati and became the Cincinnati Royals. The franchise moved again in 1972, playing in Kansas City and Omaha before eventually settling in Sacramento in 1985. The Sacramento Kings name was retained when the franchise arrived in California’s capital city. All Kings Franchise Owners The franchise has passed through several ownership groups since its early days. The following list identifies the principal owners and ownership groups associated with the team’s major eras. Les Harrison: The Rochester businessman who founded and owned the Rochester Royals. He guided the franchise through its NBL championship and its early NBA years. Louis Jacobs and the Cincinnati ownership group: The team moved to Cincinnati under new ownership in 1957, with Louis Jacobs and his family’s interests associated with the acquisition and relocation. Thomas J. DeWitt and the Cincinnati ownership group: DeWitt became a leading owner during the Cincinnati era and was associated with the team’s ownership before its Kansas City move. Samuel N. Battistone and interests associated with the Kansas City move: The franchise’s ownership changed during the transition away from Cincinnati. Historical accounts of this period describe changing financial and ownership arrangements. The Kansas City–Omaha ownership group: The team operated in two cities during the 1970s, with Kansas City serving as its principal home. The Maloof family: The Maloofs acquired controlling ownership in 1998. Joe and Gavin Maloof became the public faces of the organization during the franchise’s rise to prominence in the early 2000s. Vivek Ranadivé and the Sacramento ownership group: Ranadivé led the group that purchased the franchise in 2013, keeping the Kings in Sacramento. He remains the franchise’s principal owner. Ownership details from the franchise’s earliest relocation years are complicated by changes in controlling interests, partnerships, and corporate arrangements. The names above identify the principal historical ownership eras rather than every minority investor or temporary financial stakeholder. Every Home City and Home Arena The Kings have played in several cities and numerous arenas throughout their long history. Rochester Royals (1945–1957) Edgerton Park Arena: An early Rochester home used during the franchise’s formative years. Rochester War Memorial: The team’s principal Rochester arena during its later years in the city. Cincinnati Royals (1957–1972) Cincinnati Gardens: The team’s home for much of its Cincinnati era. Cincinnati Coliseum: Another venue used during the Cincinnati years. Kansas City–Omaha Kings (1972–1985) Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City: A major early home for the relocated franchise. Omaha Civic Auditorium: Used during the period when the team represented both Kansas City and Omaha. Kemper Arena, Kansas City: Became a principal home during the later Kansas City era. Omaha venues: The team also played selected home games in Omaha as part of its Kansas City–Omaha identity. Sacramento Kings (1985–present) ARCO Arena I: The original Sacramento home, where the Kings began their California era. ARCO Arena II: Opened in 1988 and became famous for its intense atmosphere and enthusiastic crowds. Power Balance Pavilion: A renamed version of the Sacramento arena during the early 2010s. Sleep Train Arena: Another name used for the same building. Golden 1 Center: Opened in downtown Sacramento in 2016 and remains the team’s home arena. Golden 1 Center represents the modern Kings era, while the old ARCO Arena became synonymous with the franchise’s passionate fan base and its memorable playoff runs. The Complete Ownership Timeline For historical accuracy, the franchise’s ownership record includes several groups not mentioned in the shorter overview above. The principal ownership timeline is as follows: | Owner or ownership group | Era | | Les Harrison | Rochester Royals founding and early years | | Cincinnati public corporation and associated investors | 1958–1966 | | Max and Jeremy Jacobs | 1966–1972 | | Kansas City ownership group led by local businessmen | 1972–1982 | | Restructured Kansas City ownership group | 1982–1983 | | Joseph Benvenuti, Frank and Gregg Lukenbill, Bob A. Cook, Frank McCormick, and Stephen H. Cippa | 1983–1992 | | Jim Thomas | 1992–1999 | | Maloof family | 1999–2013 | | Vivek Ranadivé-led ownership group | 2013–present | The franchise’s official media guide documents these ownership transitions, including the 1983 purchase that made the move to Sacramento possible. The Maloofs took controlling ownership in 1999, and Ranadivé’s group purchased the team in 2013. Basketball Hall of Fame: Kings and Royals Legends The franchise’s Hall of Fame legacy spans the Rochester Royals, Cincinnati Royals, Kansas City Kings, and Sacramento Kings. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes players and coaches for their overall basketball contributions, so not every inductee earned the honor exclusively for work with this franchise. The following are especially important figures whose careers included significant contributions to the Kings/Royals organization. Players Bob Davies: The Rochester Royals’ pioneering point… Continue reading Sacramento Kings: A Complete History
