A CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, AND THEN, MALOOF, RICK BENNER'S GONE

          The ownership transfer of the NBA Kings from Jim Thomas
     to the Maloof family will be complete on July 1, but it
     "struck ... at the top Friday with the sudden resignation of
     president Rick Benner," according to Martin McNeal of the
     SACRAMENTO BEE.  The Maloof's announced that former Houston
     Rockets and Comets exec John Thomas will assume Benner's
     duties, and Thomas will become president of the Kings,
     Monarchs, indoor soccer's WISL Knights and Arco Arena. 
     Benner has been with the Kings since '83 and has been team
     president for the past 10 years.  He "did not want to comment
     about the circumstances that led to his resignation." 
     McNeal: "The timing of the announcement was surprising, but
     not totally unexpected.  The Maloofs have made it clear they
     planned to make changes" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 3/13).