In July of 2013, the red breaking news banner at the top of Sactown Royalty read “Kings get Granger.” At the time, former Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger appeared to be on the move. Of course, it wasn’t that Granger that the Kings had signed, it was NBA executive Chris Granger.

While the red banner was a joke at the time, it turns out that the Kings ended up signing the right guy. The Golden 1 Center is now open – Chris Granger’s main objective in Sacramento – and Danny Granger succumbed to injuries and last was on an NBA team in 2015.  

Granger served as the president of the Sacramento Kings from 2013 until this summer when it was announced he was stepping down to take on new challenges. Prior to this, he had had a 14-year career as an executive in the NBA's league offices where he led the Team Marketing and Business Operations, advising NBA, WNBA, and NBA Development League teams on all aspects of business operations, including ticket, suite and digital sales, sponsor development, customer retention and marketing. Granger came to Sacramento during a huge time of transition for the Kings franchise. Ownership had just changed hands and the Golden 1 Center, after a strenuous relocation battle between Seattle and Sacramento, was about to break ground a year later. The goal: Get the arena open in time for the 2016-17 NBA season.

He was the man to make sure that would happen. And it most certainly did.

Over his tenure, he was an anchor to the business side of the Kings as the basketball side of the franchise tried to find its footing. From ticket sales to the arena construction, that side was a smooth-running machine. Always approachable, Granger has a warm personality and is consistently gracious and professional. He gets his points across, but also listens and understands questions, aiming to give as much information as he can at that moment in time.  

From the groundbreaking ceremony of the Golden 1 Center, to opening night last season, Granger’s work has been on full display as Sacramento’s new arena shines under the lights of a downtown that desperately needed rejuvenation. The facility was named the Sports Facility of the Year at the 2017 Sports Business Awards and received the award for Best Elite Sports Facility at the Sports Technology Awards, among a series of other accolades. And while it took an endless number of people to make the arena possible, there may not be many others who were as important as he was. Granger was always out in front of issues, helping to keep the construction timeline on target and promoting the progress. He embraced the nature of Sacramento and embodied the team’s slogan of “Sacramento Proud” during his tenure.

Long-time Kings executive John Rinehart is now the new president of business operations and Granger has said that he thinks the Kings business staff that remains in Sacramento is the best in professional sports.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Granger’s next venture will take place in Detroit, as he is now the president of sports and entertainment at Illitch Holdings Inc. The Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings are owned by the company, which is currently finishing up development on Little Caesars Arena, a new downtown Detroit arena slated to open in September. (To the staffs of Bless You Boys and Winging It In Motown – you are getting a true pro.)   

Here is some of the reaction in Sacramento after the news broke that Granger was leaving.  

Chris Granger deserves extended applause. The Golden 1 Center is his baby. Gave it plenty of TLC. Hoping he finds that next great challenge https://t.co/tW2hbELjIp

— Ailene Voisin (@ailene_voisin) June 20, 2017

I just want to thank Chris Granger publicly a million times. He was there before there was a beginning. This city is forever in his debt.

— Carmichael Dave (@CarmichaelDave) June 20, 2017

Sacramento was lucky to have Chris Granger. Most people will never know just how lucky. VERY lucky.

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) June 20, 2017

And in a series of recent tweets, he thanked the organization and the staff, as well as the city and fans:

Thank you for letting me and my fam be a part of your city. Until we meet again.

— Chris Granger (@cgkings) July 19, 2017

Yeah, the Kings ended up signing the right Granger.

Best of luck Chris!