Only about 2,000 people out of more than 17,000 ticket holders took their seats due to the protestsNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The start of Thursday's Hawks-Kings game at Golden 1 Center was delayed after demonstrators protesting the fatal police shooting of Stephon Clark blocked "most ticket holders from entering the downtown arena," according to Chavez, Bizjak, Locke, Lillis & Sangree of the SACRAMENTO BEE. The result was that the teams "tipped off in a largely empty Golden 1 Center" about 20 minutes later than scheduled. Only about 2,000 people out of "more than 17,000 ticket holders took their seats." A "dramatic day of protest" saw hundreds of protesters surround the arena prior to the game. The protest around 6:15pm PT moved from I-5 "to the main spectator entrance of Golden 1 Center." Arena security personnel "locked entrances to the stadium and abandoned equipment outside." Fans "lined up waiting to get into the game while protesters chanted, 'Shut it down!' and held Black Lives Matter banners." They formed a "human chain across the arena's doors." The Kings at 7:41pm issued a statement saying that they "wouldn't admit any more fans." The team indicated that fans who purchased tickets directly through the team or Ticketmaster will "receive instructions on how to receive a full refund" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 3/23). The Kings "allowed all in attendance to sit in the lower bowl, and free food and non-alcoholic drinks were provided" (SACBEE.com, 3/22). FS Southeast play-by-play announcer Bob Rathbun "described the arena’s atmosphere as 'unnerving' just before the start of the game" (AJC.com, 3/22).
REFLECTING ON THE SITUATION: NBCSPORTSBAYAREA.com's James Ham noted Kings Owner & Chair Vivek Ranadivé "took center court surrounded by his players to address the undersized crowd" following the game in "perhaps his finest moment" during his tenure. Ranadive said, "The Kings recognize your people’s ability to protest peacefully and we respect that. We here at the Kings recognize that we have a big platform. It’s a privilege, but it’s also a responsibility. It’s a responsibility that we take very seriously and we stand before you; old, young, black, white, brown and we are all united in our commitment. We recognize that it’s not just business as usual and we are going to work really hard to bring everybody together to make the world a better place, starting in our own community. We are going to work hard to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again" (NBCSPORTSBAYAREA.com, 3/22). ESPN's Scott Van Pelt said, "I respect the man for doing an admirable job of taking the situation that is beyond his ... sphere of concern as it relates to the building, but explaining how much (the Kings) means to that community" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 3/23). ESPN's John Anderson: "Well played by the Kings owner" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 3/23).
PLAYERS, COACH SPEAK: Kings G Garrett Temple said, "The protest did what it was supposed to do. It brought light to what's going on; I think that's what protests are for. And after that something has to change." Kings F Vince Carter said that players during the game "talked about what was going on outside." Carter: "We had multiple conversations. And when I say we, I mean both teams, with each other. We have a game to play, we have a job to do, but it didn't go unnoticed." Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer: "Basketball was secondary tonight. I think what’s happening in Sacramento and the concerns and thoughts are with everybody. The guys played hard tonight and competed. I think that the crowd that was here appreciated them" (SACBEE.com, 3/22).
