The Royal Road to Royalty: How the Sacramento Kings Got Their Throne (Well, Not Quite)
The Sacramento Kings. A team known for their...well, let's just say their dedication to keeping things interesting. But have you ever stopped to wonder how this team of ballers ended up with such a regal nickname? Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a journey that's more relocation than regulation.
From Royals to...Not-Royals: A Name Change Fit for a King (Size Exception May Apply)
The Kings' story starts not in Sacramento, but in Rochester, New York, in 1945. Back then, they were the Rochester Royals, a team with a crown logo that would make any medieval monarch proud. But just like a catchy jingle, royalty can get stuck in your head. When the team moved to Cincinnati in 1957, they tried to hold onto the "Royals" name. There was just one snag: Cincinnati already had a team called the Royals, but in baseball (because apparently, crowns were all the rage in Ohio back then).
Enter the Great Kansas City Coin Flip (Heads: Kings, Tails: Maybe Monarchs?)
So, the newly relocated team found themselves in need of a new nickname, fast. Here's where things get interesting. A name-the-team contest was held, and let's just say the suggestions were, well, a mixed bag. We're talking everything from the Kansas City Steers (because apparently, everyone LOVES cattle) to the Kansas City Warhawks (because who wouldn't want to see a bunch of basketball players reenact fighter pilot maneuvers?). Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed, and the winning entry was the Kansas City Kings.
Royalty on the Move: From Kansas City to Sacramento (and Back to Kansas City...For a While)
The Kings spent their Kansas City years shuttling between Missouri and Nebraska (don't ask), but eventually settled down in Kansas City proper. In 1985, however, the team packed their metaphorical bags (and possibly some barbecue sauce) and headed west, landing in Sacramento. The "Kings" name stuck, and thus, the Sacramento Kings were born.
So, Why Kings?
Honestly? Besides the whole "not being able to keep the Royals name" thing, it's a bit of a mystery. Maybe it was a nod to the California Gold Rush, where prospectors were kings (well, maybe not actual kings, but kings of their own destiny, you know?). Or perhaps it was just a really cool name that evoked images of power and dominance (something the Kings, bless their hearts, haven't quite achieved...yet).
FAQ: How to Be Like the Sacramento Kings
How to move to a new city every ten years? Pack light and invest heavily in bubble wrap for your trophies (or lack thereof).
How to hold a successful name-the-team contest? Rigorously pre-screen all suggestions to avoid farm animal mascots.
How to become a basketball champion? This one's a toughy. Maybe ask the Golden State Warriors, they seem to have it figured out.
How to stay relevant in the NBA? Develop a loyal fanbase with a strong sense of humor (because sometimes, that's all you've got).
How to guarantee your place in NBA history? Become the team with the most name changes. We're looking at you, Kings!