The Sacramento Kings ownership under the Maloof family remains one of the most polarizing eras in modern sports history. It started with high-flying optimism and community adoration before crashing into financial distress and bitter relocation battles.
Brothers Joe and Gavin Maloof, alongside other family members, took control of the franchise in the late 1990s. They inherited a basketball-obsessed cowbell-ringing fanbase and turned the team into an offensive powerhouse, only to exit under a cloud of controversy and a near-miss move to Seattle. Understanding how this family enterprise rose and fell gives a clear window into the high-stakes friction between professional sports franchises and local communities.
Roots of the Empire
The family business model didn't start on a basketball court. It began decades earlier through distribution and hospitality. George J. Maloof Sr. built a multi-industry fortune anchored by a foundational Coors beer distributorship in New Mexico and later expanded into banking and real estate.
When the patriarch passed away in 1937—correction, when George Sr. passed away later in the century—his wife Colleen and their children stepped in to manage the estate. Joe, Gavin, George Jr., and Phil learned early on how to run tightly controlled family operations. Their first major splash in sports ownership happened in 1979 when they purchased the Houston Rockets. They held the team for three seasons, even reaching the NBA Finals in 1981, before selling it. That short stint proved they had an appetite for professional basketball, but their definitive chapter would unfold years later in California's capital.
The Golden Era in Sacramento
The family entered the Sacramento market in 1998 by acquiring a minority stake before taking majority control. At the time, Sacramento was desperate for stable, dynamic leadership that could connect with local fans. The brothers delivered immediately.
With Rick Adelman coaching and stars like Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, and Jason Williams on the floor, the Kings played some of the most aesthetic, thrilling basketball of the era. They transformed Sleep Train Arena—then known as Arco Arena—into one of the loudest venues in the league.
Fans embraced the brothers because they looked different from traditional, corporate owners. Joe and Gavin sat courtside, high-fived fans, and projected an approachable, high-roller lifestyle that matched their Las Vegas hotel and casino ventures, such as the Palms Casino Resort. For a brief window, the franchise ranked near the top of the league in fan relations and team popularity.
Financial Pressures and the Downward Spiral
Behind the courtside energy, the family's financial foundation began to fracture in the late 2000s. Real estate downturns and heavy debts from their Las Vegas casino developments strained their liquid assets. To plug financial leaks, the family began cutting costs across their business holdings, including the basketball operations.
The relationship with Sacramento soured quickly. The team's on-court performance dropped, and the owners stopped investing in the roster. Fans who once cheered the brothers now viewed them with deep skepticism. Rumors surfaced repeatedly that the family wanted to move the franchise to a more lucrative market, such as Anaheim or Seattle.
By 2012, ESPN rankings placed the Kings organization at or near the absolute bottom of professional sports franchises, citing poor ownership and strained fan relations. The goodwill built a decade prior had completely evaporated.
The Sale and Relocation Saga
The breaking point arrived when the family reached an agreement to sell a major stake of the team to a group led by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and investor Chris Hansen, who intended to relocate the franchise to Seattle.
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, alongside passionate local fans and business leaders, launched an aggressive counter-campaign to keep the team rooted in the city. They secured a competing ownership group led by Vivek Ranadivé.
In May 2013, the NBA Board of Governors voted down the Seattle relocation bid. Shortly after, the Maloofs finalized a sale of the franchise to Ranadivé's group for a valuation of $535 million. That transaction ended fifteen years of turbulent control and cleared the path for the construction of the downtown Golden 1 Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Maloof brothers sell the Sacramento Kings?
The family faced severe financial pressures from their other business ventures, particularly real estate and casino projects in Las Vegas. Selling the team allowed them to clear mounting debts and cash out at a high valuation.
Did the Maloofs actually try to move the team to Seattle?
Yes. They reached an agreement to sell controlling interest to buyers who planned to relocate the franchise to Seattle. However, the NBA Board of Governors blocked the move, paving the way for a local Sacramento group to buy the team.
What other sports teams did the Maloofs own?
Before owning the Kings, the family owned the Houston Rockets from 1979 to 1982. They also owned the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs and currently hold a minority stake in the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights.
How is the franchise remembered today in Sacramento?
The early years are remembered fondly for exciting playoff runs and community connection, but the later years are viewed as a cautionary tale of neglect, financial strain, and broken trust between owners and a loyal fanbase. You can read more about the history of the Sacramento Kings on their official site.
