Bonneville International Corporation and KHTK announced today that Grant Napear has been fired effective immediately.
SACRAMENTO – We were saddened by the comments Grant Napear recently made on Twitter. While we appreciate Grant’s positive contributions to KHTK over the years, his recent comments about the Black Lives Matter movement do not reflect the views or values of Bonneville International Corporation. The time of Grant’s tweet was particularly insensitive. After reviewing the matter carefully, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with Grant.
Bonneville’s purpose is to build up, connect, inform, and celebrate communities and families. In the wake of George Floyd’s tragic death and the events of the last several days, it is crucial that we communicate the tremendous respect that we have for the black community and any other groups or individuals who have cause to feel marginalized. Bonneville remains committed to fostering calm and promoting human dignity in the face of unrest. We plead for all to work together for peace and mutual respect.
The Sacramento Kings have also announced that Napear has resigned as play-by-play announcer. Napear had served as the Kings play-by-play announcer since 1988.
From the Sacramento Kings:
“Grant Napear has resigned from the Sacramento Kings. We thank him for his contributions to the team and wish him all the best.”— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) June 2, 2020
On Sunday night, Napear tweeted “ALL LIVES MATTER” in response to former Kings player DeMarcus Cousins asking him about his take on Black Lives Matter in the wake of the ongoing protests following the murder of George Floyd. Napear went on to defend his tweet which only served to increase the backlash, and other former Kings such as Matt Barnes and Chris Webber also chimed in.
Napear said he would explain himself and apologize on his radio show on Monday afternoon. That opportunity never came as KHTK announced that Napear was put on administrative leave. Napear did however offer his apologies through a short interview with Marcos Breton in the Sacramento Bee. Both the Kings and NBC Sports California also declared that they would be reviewing the matter. As we learned today, Napear is now no longer employed by any of those organizations.
Napear did release the following statement following the announcement today:
From Grant Napear:
“I want to thank the fans for their overwhelming love and support. I will always remain a part of Kings nation in my heart.”
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) June 2, 2020
As a very public face of the franchise, his actions were at complete odds with how the organization has presented itself. The Kings have been especially vocal ever since 2018 when they themselves were at the center of protests following yet another death of a young black man at the hands of the police, Stephon Clark. The Kings have since partnered with Black Lives Matter Sacramento and Build Black to invest in and broaden educational opportunities for black young men and underserved members of the community. This was also not the first time Napear has been insensitive, although this is the first time he has felt consequences.
Not that it’s really the point at the moment, but I wonder who takes his spot as play-by-play guy now.
Can we get Jerry for one more season?!
JERRY JERRY JERRY
I briefly got excited about the idea that Jerry could return in a move that would give Kings fans a familiar and beloved voice, but it’s probably not worth it to have him travel around until the pandemic dies down.
Let’s which former King is available
Mayce Edward Christopher Webber III, reporting for duty.
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But seriously though, I hope we can see Chris Webber interact with Sacramento again now.
I don’t buy in to CWebb. Never been much of a fan of him off the court and I can do without him. If he wanted to interact with Sacramento, he already could have, why would he now?
That’s a fair point.
To answer your question: the reason Webber would interact with Sacramento now as I’ve heard, is that he wanted nothing to do with the Kings while Grant was around.

And I don’t think he would be a good play-by-play announcer. Even Jerry Reynolds is not suited for that. I was joking about C-Webb taking Grant’s place.
The only person I think that is in touch with the Kings who would do a good job is Gary Gerould, but he’s the radio play-by-play….
I’m a little disappointed in how C-Webb has turned out as an announcer. Starting out, I thought he had the potential to be really good. Over time though, he’s basically Reggie Miller.
We can get the next best thing. An announcer and coach at the same time. Mark Jackson.
He is pretty terrible, and I really wish that wasn’t the case.
Does he still have a home in Sac? If not, I doubt he voluntarily will want to live in ‘cow town’ again if he doesn’t have to.
Gary Gerould?
Gerald great. And YES!!! Grant in gone. He always was an insensitive, close minded ass. And now it’s confirmed that he’s a disgusting person.
I’ve never like Cuz like o do now. Good riddance to Grant and all others like him.
Apparently, I don’t know how to edit on this format.
Hover your mouse over the bottom right corner space of your comment. You might have to search a second or two to find it, but eventually you’ll see a gear icon. Press on it. You’ll see an EDIT square appear. Click on that and you should be able to edit.
I think there’s a time limit though. The opportunity to edit seems to expire after a certain amount of time has lapsed.
I take that back. I still don’t like Cuz but I love that he brought down Grant.
Love Gary almost as much as I love Jerry!
I’d personally love to see Deuce get a shot. He’s been doing play-by-play for Stockton Kings. I always loved his radio show with Jason Ross.
I don’t like Duece. He always preaches party line. Not a logical thinker.
jerry and Gary
Jerry and Gary would be scary!
Scary good 🙂
Scot Pollard, Gary Gerould, and Doug would be great.
Oh god, no. Except for the GG part.
First choice: Gary Gerould and Doug
Second choice: Doris Burke and a broom (pay whatever you have to!)
Third choice: Deuce, Morgan and Doug
Doris Burke, all day. Or let Gary simulcast. And wouldn’t mind your third choice either. Totally with you here.
Ah, I didn’t think if Gary could simulcast.
I previously thought radio play-by-play and TV play-by-play were different animals, with more description necessary for radio.
I’d love to see what Gary can do on TV.
Gary used to do TV for the kings…way, way back in the day
I seriously doubt Doris is in play for Grant’s position, she seems too high of a caliber for a single team. but if she is…. make this happen yesterday!
I don’t see why Doris Burke would take a lower profile job, but I love her! She’s a bright basketball mind.
My sell to her would be: you get to call 82 games a year, not the 25 you call on ESPN. I doubt she would take it, but I would damn sure make the call.
Would she be the first full time female team announcer in the NBA? What about the four major leagues?
And you will have vacation come play-offs. Guaranteed!
Mr Motor Home
Ironically, I believe that was also the last title sponsor of the old barn out in Natomas.
HERE IS THE MAN YOU’RE LOOKING FOR:
Well, I always said a trained chimp would be better than Grant, so I suppose an untrained chimp wouldn’t be that much of a stretch.
and Vlade needs a smoking buddy
Please Kevin Harlan, you’re our only hope!
I think we have to give Boogie the right of first refusal.
If you don’t like that…….
Too soon….
Then I suppose “Turn the sprinkler systems on, Grant Napear has been fired” would be too soon as well?
I literally LOLd.
HEYOOOOOO
WOW. I did not think it would actually happen.
I enjoyed his play by play, but his insensitivity across many issues, specially on his radio show has come back to bite him.
And I will add, rightfully so.
IE- He’s a dick. Always was.
Never fucking forget the fucking Tyreke Evans story. …fuck
Refresh my memory, please.
https://www.sactownroyalty.com/2010/4/14/1419741/peachy-moment-of-the-year-grant
I wish we could still watch that animated thing someone did of the locker room encounter between Grant and Tyreke, I had tears rolling down my cheeks from that…
That was my video. I also wish that video was still around.
Perhaps the funniest thing I have ever seen.
It was Game of Zones long before there was Game of Zones.
I prefer not to give that site any clicks. Can someone summarize for me?
I have no memory of this. Weird.
Ok, I didn’t want to say anything, but I must have missed it as well.
You should definitely read the insane interview he gave Ziller back in 08 while you’re at it.
I re-read that interview and I know its a real interview.
The answers were so ridiculous It was hard for me to believe that isnt a parody/fan fiction interview.
Envisioning that interaction gave me douche chills.
I remember it now, but had forgotten it.
Man, it’s crazy how bad my memory is compared to what I thought it was.
Thanks for sharing that.
To anyone who doesn’t understand this moment in history in regards to civil rights, BLM and the racial fabric of our society as it plays out to us on social media and our televisions, let Grant’s “seemingly harmless” All Lives Matter sink it. We are at a precipice. I really feel we are witnessing a seismic adjustment to our society. Hold on.
Very well said.
It really does feel that way. Covid19, and the world’s subsequent handling of it, already started to really illuminate the strengths and weaknesses of our systems. And the racial inequity in this country has been a powder keg waiting to blow for years. If things are going to change for the better, 2020 seems like the year that will finally really ignite that change.
I feel the same. Scary thing about a precipice is which way you end up falling.
Told my daughter that she’s living through something truly unique in American society, something we’ll (hopefully) be teaching in the history books for the next few hundred years.
I often wondered how incredible (not incredibly good, mind you) it would be live in such a momentous time in history like what we grew up reading about in history books….like, say WWII.
I have to say, I do NOT like living in this momentous time in history that people will be reading about in the future.
All the fear of the unknown we have about the future–imagine being in a world war and not knowing what the result would be.
Can you imagine living in the period of 13 days of the Cuban Missle Crisis? That must’ve been insane.
I just watched that movie! If it were up to the generals in charge, very few of us would be here right now.
Hoping that they don’t continue to censure history books… but spot on
I work with young creative people, and have been imploring my staff of interns to be documenting what they are seeing, feeling, and hearing right now. It’s an incredibly historic and traumatic time.
Let’s hope so. It’s overdue by 250 years.
well said, it is also a good time to learn. I rarely used the term All Lives Matter, or May have never used it. I certainly wouldn’t have used it to be dismissive; with that said I didn’t understand how insensitive it was especially when people used it to be dismissive. I will certainly make a point to never use the term and learned something new after seeing it on Joe Davidson’s sac bee article.
It is all about tone and timing. Saying all lives matter on its own is one thing, but responding to BLM with ALL LIVES MATTER, says something entirely different. There is a sarcastic and antagonistic tone to the latter that leaves one feeling there is a significant insult there.
If the “whatever” and eye roll of GenXers did to their parents in the 90’s offended some, the ALL LIVES MATTER is a stab to the heart of those who genuinely care about social injustice to the black communities of our society. It is a slap in the face of equality and justice.
thanks for the extra explanation, I went down a rabbit hole of reading and research last night when I saw the Sac Bee article.. it was really eye opening and I am very happy I did learn.. always need to be willing to learn
All good amigo. Education is what it is all about.
W2W I have always appreciated your sincerity in discussing these things. Myself or others may not always agree, but I do believe you are earnestly trying to understand and that is super important.
Well said. I find it unconscionable that a major media face for an NBA franchise was so woefully uninformed as to what BLM is. And if he was purposefully being obtuse in refusing to acknowledge BLM, then that’s even more unacceptable.
Sad but to be expected. No such thing as disagreement and diversity of opinions anymore. Figures Boogie’s final farewell to Sac would be getting his revenge against Grant.
He was not fired for having a disagreement and diversity of opinions.
What do you mean? This is one of the times when a person’s opinion is wrong. If by diversity of opinions you mean that “All Lives Matter” then you are correct about that. Because “All Lives Matter” is the call sign to discredit the movement on racial prejudice, bias, and brutality by police officers on minorities especially African American folks. All lives matter, yes. But that is not the issue this country needs to tackle right now. Black people are being marginalized every single day of their lives. They’ve been devoid of privilege and were subject to police brutality. I’m not white. I’m Asian but I do concede that I’ve had more privilege than black folks. So what exactly is the “difference” of opinion here other than All lives matter movement is wrong?
Sometimes when you’re opinions are pretty terrible you get fired from your job. Grant’s opinions are pretty terrible and he got fired from his job.
He’s free to have his opinion. The Kings and many of us as fans are free to disagree with him, others are free to agree with him. What he, you, I, or others are not free from is the possibility of consequences that result from our actions and words.
You could disagree with him.
And he could HANG UP THE PHONE ON YOU.
Or he could just say “Thanks for your call” and then move on and end the conversation.
I think we could have a legitimate discussion of whether this is a fireable offense, but come on – you have to know that what you say on the air, or when you’re representing a company publicly, can get you in trouble.That isn’t some brand new concept.
Grant would still be here if the mental firepower matched the bluster. He said something stupid, and even dumber considering he was an NBA announcer.
It’s amazing he lasted this long.
Grant isn’t new, and I would also assume he is a pretty smart guy to have the level of professional success that he has had. The fact that he just couldn’t help himself, he just had to risk everything slapping back to DMC in the middle of the worst race riots since 1968, says everything you need to know about him. It wasn’t hard to predict.
Is it your opinion that a company should continue to employ a spokesperson that doesn’t represent the values of the organization? Much less one that makes public statements that alienate and marginalize the company’s key employees and the majority of their customer base?
And, of course, that’s just taking it from the cynical “capitalistic” POV. Putting aside any idea of humanity and social awareness or responsibility.
I’ll just leave this here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m81NJmVTY3A
What? He’s back on the air?
I mean, putting aside what a dismissive asshole he is there, his position is also just illogical. Apparently, according to Grant, it’s reasonable to think Walton is a bad coach and to not like him as a coach for the Kings, but it isn’t reasonable to think he should be fired. But… but… if I think he’s bad and don’t like him, why wouldn’t I think he should be fired? I’m an idiot AND a moron for thinking a bad, unlikable coach shouldn’t be the coach? What?
LMFAO “No one can say Luke should be fired based on this season because of……….Injuries.” My God.
Moron …like moron in the sense that Barling called Vlade or moron for the “we had a better deal 2 days ago” DeMarcus trade?
Grant has been teetering on the edge of this 1/2 his career. Definately since Team Vivek took over. The guy is a dismissive a-hole, this was IMO the straw that broke the ass’ back. I got the feeling that Grant was a plant for absentee ownership group… Vivek can’t be a stupid and meddling as he appears….can he?
,
Grant dug his own hole here. Cousins (who I dislike intensely) merely showed him where to start.
If you work for an NBA team and you effectively state, particularly after an unarmed black man was killed by police on camera (again), that there’s no difference in police treatment between white and black folks, there’s likely to be an effect on your work status.
“Diversity of opinion” or “freedom of speech” shouldn’t mean that pissing people off is protected from consequences.
Try calling your company owner or major shareholders a stupid motherfucker. I mean, that’s diversity of opinion, and it might even be true (looking at you Judge Smails) but you’re probably not going to keep working there.
Thanks for the good times, Grant! Kings games won’t be the same without you.
Agreed. I might listen to them again!
I mean, I would still play Stevie Wonder during a game…
Yes, they’ll be waaaay better.
I’m so excited about having a new TV voice. I can turn the volume up on games again at last.
Finally I can un-mute the games!
Bill Walton thinks you’re being a little hasty…
Bill Walton is a national treasure.
Don’t need to go from 1 shtick to another shtick
So let’s bury him already. And his kid.
Yeah but he’s half responsible for Luke so….
Bill Walton? That’s a hard NO.
Wow.
So is this going to cause The Kings Herald servers to crash again?
Man, I made that sign about TKH changing to a new local radio host knowing it was just a joke. Did not think it would actually happen.
So it was your fault! Please do not make anymore banners or interpret anything that pertains to the shitshow of 2020.
“We are moving on to a vaccine.”
How’s that?
As long as it’s not American!
Clear your (((ducks))) cache
Does the H key functionality work? I wiped my…uh…cache just now but it does not seem to be working.
Time to try Preparation H.
Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of my own actions.
This is the free market at work, baby!
I will miss him not at all.
I’ll miss “turn the sprinkler systems on” and “we have got a dandy”, but honestly even those phrases have started to lose their luster because of how Grant has handled himself over the years. We will move on.
Also, I think it is HILARIOUS that Demarcus was the one that instigated this. Like, OF COURSE it was. I couldn’t have gone any other way.
I realize most of the people on this site don’t like Grant and are probably happy about this but I think the tweet was taken a bit out of proportion. Being a public figure, especially one that represents the Kings and their stance on BLM, there is no excuse for his ignorance regarding All Lives Matter. His tweet and it’s reaction educated me on ALM as, at least on the surface, that message seems to be one that means “bringing everyone together.” Obviously that is not the case. I’m not sure his ignorance should result in the loss of his job, but I understand it.
Pretty unfortunate situation but it will be interesting to see how his vacancies play out as he’s been a staple figure in the community for a long time. Here’s to a brighter future!
I wonder if the former player’s piling on was really the straw here.
I’m sure it helped. BTW, who cares what Matt Barnes thinks about someone?
Yes Otis I’ve been thinking that for sure.
Imagine, we have a giant mass of Kings fans who can’t stand Grant, what are the odds that some of them inhabit the cubicles next to him?
Rant Napear became a PR nightmare for the team and the NBA. The Kings almost certainly consulted the league office and got the blessing/order to fire him. Easy call.
Just imagine Cousins, Barnes, and Webber recruiting former Kings players to chime in about the Kings harboring a “closet racist.”
I wonder if they were in the same room!
Cousins lobbed Grant a softball, and he swung from the heels and completely missed. DMC knew exactly what he was doing, as should anyone who read it. His final assist as a Kings alum.
And this was not ignorance. It was arrogance.
Appreciate your perspective on this, but I personally believe that Grant knew exactly what he was saying. What remains are the natural consequences of that action.
I’m very glad, this change has been a long time coming given Grant’s actions the past 5 years. I hope it’s okay if I do feel a bit bummed i won’t hear him calling games anymore though, I grew up with it and Grant is phenomenal. However, it’s more than time for a new voice of the franchise.
Grant: “Ok Doug, now I have to be careful here and hope that this mistake doesn’t come back to bite me later on”
That’s sad. I always liked him. I’ve never had a problem with someone toeing the company line. I wish he just would have either not answered DMC or just said, ‘Hell yeah black lives matter’. It really would have been that easy.
Or, he could’ve been pc about it and said, “black lives matter,” “blue lives matter,” and “all lives matter” to drive home his point. I believe if he had tweeted that, he would still have a job, but nooo ppl like him can’t help themselves..
I think you’re right–he’d still have a job if he went about it that way.
I had a big problem with a host toeing the company line under the guise of unbiased talk radio.
Khtk must have some new management that doesn’t know what a great guy grant is.
Just ask him!
Or any one that’s worked with him…but I guess dmc, Webber and Barnes didn’t work “with” him.
Well… bye.
This is a surprise. Grant’s play by play was second to none. But I always took him as…well… Who he is.
I wonder who fills that spot.
Promote J Ross across the board! Give him the 3pm on KHTK, and the play by play!
This a difficult situation to discuss. On the one hand, I have long thought that Grant’s shtick was severely outdated and a bad fit for the org/radio and I look forward to the potential to enjoy local sports radio in the afternoons again. And yet, on the other hand, this result brings me no joy.
It makes me sad. Not because Grant was fired/resigned (could have happened more gracefully a long time ago) but because he couldn’t grow and learn before it was too late. Not even all the resources that come with his access to the most progressive sports league in the nation nor his charity work could get Grant to evolve with the times.
In the end, he just could’t resist the bait. Instead, he yet again let his hubris take control and give an all-too typical insensitive and small minded jab at someone who dared to have a different life experience that he did.
It’s just sad. It’s sad because if thing are to get better it would be helpful if some of the Grants of the world learned, grew, and evolved. Otherwise they will simply be cast aside just like this.
I mean, I don’t enjoy dancing on the grave of someone’s career. But Grant’s a grown-ass man. Dude could be my dad, and I’m about to turn 40. I’m certainly not done learning, but one thing I have learned so far is that the moment I refuse to stop growing, I deserve to be cast aside if it comes to that.
His interaction with Boogie wasn’t remotely as bad as many I’ve seen, but it’s the cherry on a sundae that he’s been serving up for years: he’s small-minded, mean-spirited, and resistant to changing any of his entrenched opinions or beliefs. This moment in our history is the time to pull that shit out by the roots.
Well Said ArsLegendi
Yeah, I’m not sure I feel bad for him, even though I’m uncertain whether the punishment matched the crime. He’s been treating people like shit in this town for what, three decades?
If Napear were better liked within the organization, he’d still be here IMO. I think they were looking to get rid of him and he gave them an excuse.
That’s definitely the sense I get as well. By the way it’s good to have you back poo..er.. Kingsguru!