Feb 12, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the Sacramento Kings logo during the game between the Mavericks and the Kings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Sacramento Kings part ways with play-by-play announcer after 'All Lives Matter' tweet

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Jun 2, 2020 7:02 PM ET

On the same day organizations, leagues, and athletes throughout the sports world honored George Floyd, the unarmed African-American man who was killed while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25, with "Blackout Tuesday" social media posts, one individual lost his job.

Recently, Sacramento Kings play-by-play announcer Grant Napear received criticism following an online exchange with former Kings star DeMarcus Cousins.

Cousins asked Napear for the commentator's thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement, to which Napear responded: "Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me. Haven't heard from you in years. ALL LIVES MATTER...EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!"

Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me. Haven't heard from you in years. ALL LIVES MATTER...EVERY SINGLE ONE!!! https://t.co/DfzKl3w0jm
— Grant Napear (@GrantNapearshow) June 1, 2020

Former Kings player Matt Barnes was among those who lashed out at Napear, while others mentioned controversial comments allegedly made by Napear in the past:

Would expect nothing less from a closet racists
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) June 1, 2020

As noted by The Sacramento Bee, Napear apologized for the tweet, saying "I’m not as educated on BLM as I thought I was."

That explanation didn't save his job.

On Tuesday afternoon, The Athletic's Jason Jones reported Sacramento radio station KHTK cut ties with Napear after it originally placed him on leave:

KHTK announces it is parting ways with Grant Napear
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) June 2, 2020

From the Sacramento Kings:
“Grant Napear has resigned from the Sacramento Kings. We thank him for his contributions to the team and wish him all the best.”
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) June 2, 2020

Jones shared the following statement from Napear:

"I want to thank the fans for their overwhelming love and support. I will always remain a part of Kings nation in my heart.”

While Jones reported Napear resigned from his position, KHTK said it parted ways with the announcer in an official statement:

Bonneville Sacramento's (Sports 1140 KHTK) official statement on their parting ways with Grant Napear. pic.twitter.com/UOXlfRMQV0
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeKHTK) June 2, 2020

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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