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NBA Kings President Granger Unexpectedly Leaving Team, Looking For New Opportunity

NBA Kings President Chris Granger is leaving the organization after joining the team in '13. Granger, who previously led the NBA’s team marketing and business operations division, does not yet have a new job. “I’m leaving to look for a new, big opportunity,” he said. “I’d like to do something with multiple teams with a global focus and with an ability to impact a region. Broadly, I want to do something impactful and honestly, something bigger than what I am doing now.” Granger’s departure comes after the team opened the Golden 1 Center last fall. “What is most meaningful is what we have done for the city,” he said. “It is bigger than selling tickets. I’d like to stay in sports, but I am open.” The Kings said that the management team will be led by Kings COO Matina Kolokotronis with Kings CFO John Rinehart promoted to president of business operations, effective immediately. Granger will remain with the team for one month through a transition period. “We wish Chris and his family all the best as he moves into the next stage of his career,” said Kings Managing Partner Vivek Ranadive in a statement. “Chris is one of the best in the business and we are extremely thankful for his contributions to the Kings and the Sacramento community" (John Lombardo, Staff Writer).

BIG SHOES TO FILL: In Sacramento, Ailene Voisin writes Granger's departure is a "major loss to both the franchise and the community." He has been a "soothing, stabilizing presence since he was first dispatched by former NBA Commissioner David Stern to oversee the Kings’ marketing and ticket sales divisions decimated" during the "repeated attempts to relocate the franchise" by the team's former owners, the Maloof family. Granger spent "weeks putting the organization back together after the failed relocations" to Anaheim in '11 and Seattle in '13. He was "so effective at his job, and so highly regarded by Stern and area business and political leaders," that Ranadive hired him as team president in July '13 two months after his "purchase of the team was finalized." Granger is "eminently approachable and polite," and upon the opening of Golden 1 Center, he "mingled with patrons, fielded complaints, checked on all the details -- everything from the length of the lines at restrooms and concession stands to the positioning of the bike racks outside the main entrance." Though Granger’s influence with Ranadive "appeared to diminish" when Kolokotronis was promoted to COO last year, Granger "insists that the internal restructuring did not factor in his decision." He instead "attributed the decision to a restlessness gene; he simply needs another challenge with even more responsibilities." Granger has "expressed an interest in a position" with LA 2024, "working for an ownership group with multiple teams or joining another pro sports franchise that is pursuing a new ballpark or arena" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 6/20). 

TWITTER REAX
: Praise for Granger's work with the Kings was effusive on Twitter. Kings broadcaster Grant Napear: "His impact on organization past several years goes without saying! #classact." Sacramento Bee's Ryan Lillis: "For all the on-court issues, I think fans agree the Kings have been a success off the court since 2013. @cgkings drove that." SB Nation's Akis Yerocostas: "Wow. Big loss for Sacramento. @cgkings was LeBron of business ops." Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler: "Geez, will the Kings ever find stability in their management? He was a huge hire in 2013." KHTK-AM's Carmichael Dave: "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" (TWITTER.com, 6/20).

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