Teams/Pacific Division
Sacramento Kings
Vivek Ranadivé has led the Kings ownership group since 31 May 2013, when it paid $347M to $348M for 65%. Forbes values the team at $4.7B; it has had nine ownership groups since turning professional in 1945.
Every owner since the start
- 2013 to todayGroup led by Vivek Ranadivé
Bought 65% from the Maloof family for $347M to $348M
- 1999 to 2013Maloof family
Bought control from Jim Thomas after taking a minority stake in 1998; price not found
- 1992 to 1999Group led by Jim Thomas
Bought 53% for $140M, including an interest in Arco Arena
- 1983 to 1992Joseph Benvenuti and a partnership led by Gregg Lukenbill
Bought for $10.5M; moved the team to Sacramento in 1985
- 1973 to 1983Kansas City group headed by Ray Evans and H. Paul Rosenberg
Bought from the Jacobs family for $5M
- 1968 to 1973Jeremy and Max Jacobs
Inherited from their father; moved the team to Kansas City in 1972
- 1963 to 1968Louis Jacobs
Bought from the Wood estate; price not found
- 1958 to 1963Cincinnati group headed by Thomas E. Wood
Bought from the Harrisons; price not found
- 1945 to 1958Les and Jack Harrison
Founded the professional club for a $25,000 league entry fee; moved it to Cincinnati in 1957
Value over time
- 11999 Maloofs take control
- 22013 Ranadivé buys 65%, $534M value
Show the numbers
| Year | Forbes value |
|---|---|
| 1998 | $119M |
| 1999 | $151M |
| 2000 | $178M |
| 2002 | $209M |
| 2003 | $259M |
| 2004 | $330M |
| 2005 | $345M |
| 2007 | $385M |
| 2008 | $350M |
| 2009 | $305M |
| 2011 | $293M |
| 2012 | $300M |
| 2013 | $525M |
| 2014 | $550M |
| 2015 | $800M |
| 2016 | $925M |
| 2017 | $1.07B |
| 2018 | $1.38B |
| 2019 | $1.57B |
| 2020 | $1.77B |
| 2021 | $2B |
| 2022 | $2.03B |
| 2023 | $3.33B |
| 2024 | $3.7B |
| 2025 | $4.45B |
| 2026 | $4.7B |
| Year | Sale | Team valued at |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Ranadivé group buys 65% from Maloofs | $534M |
| 2021 | Dyal buys about 5%, $1.5B-$1.8B | $1.5B |
| 2021 | Arctos buys about 17% | $1.8B |
Forbes valued the Kings at $119M in 1998 and $4.7B in 2026, about 40 times as much. The biggest one-year jump was $1.3B, from 2022 to 2023; the biggest in percentage terms was 75%, from 2012 to 2013.
How the current owner bought it
- In January 2013 the Maloofs agreed to sell 65% to Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer, who planned a move to Seattle. Their offer rose from a $525M valuation to $625M.
- NBA owners rejected the move 22-8 on 15 May 2013.
- The Ranadivé group agreed terms the next day. The NBA approved unanimously on 28 May and the sale closed on 31 May 2013.
- Ranadivé first had to sell his minority stake in the Golden State Warriors. Control is unchanged in 2026.
Partners in the team
| Partner | Stake | Who they are |
|---|---|---|
| Arctos Sports Partners | About 17% (2021) | Private equity fund with three board seats; bought at a $1.8B valuation. KKR completed its purchase of Arctos in May 2026 |
| Dyal HomeCourt Partners | About 5% | Blue Owl fund; bought in 2021 at a $1.5B valuation (another source says near $1.8B) |
| RAJ Sports | undisclosed | Bhathal family, co-owners since 2013; Raj Bhathal is vice chair and alternate governor |
| Jacobs family | not published | Qualcomm family; partners since 2013 |
Four local partners, including Mark Mastrov, sold in 2021, when Ranadivé raised his own stake.
How the team is run
- John Rinehart is president and Scott Perry is general manager.
- Comstock's reported that former partner Mark Mastrov said Ranadivé wants a hand in every decision.
- Golden 1 Center cost $558.2M. The city issued $273M of bonds, and the Kings repay about 60% of its commitment over 35 years.
- The parent company bought the Sacramento River Cats baseball team in 2022 for a reported $90M.
Quick answers
Who owns the Sacramento Kings?
Vivek Ranadivé has led the Kings ownership group since 31 May 2013, when it paid $347M to $348M for 65%.
How much are the Sacramento Kings worth?
Forbes values the Sacramento Kings at $4.7B in its October 2026 list, up 6% from $4.45B a year earlier. That makes them the 21st most valuable of the 30 teams; in 1998 Forbes put the team at $119M.
How much did the current owner pay for the Kings?
$534M valuation for 65% (Vivek Ranadivé, 2013). Forbes now values the team at 8.8 times that price.
Who owned the Sacramento Kings before the current owner?
Maloof family (1999 to 2013). Bought control from Jim Thomas after taking a minority stake in 1998; price not found.
Open questions
- The percentage Ranadivé owns; the team has never published it.
- What the Maloofs paid in 1998-99; one compilation gives $156M.
- How the 2013 purchase was financed.