Sacramento ‘proud’: ESPN names Kings finalists for humanitarian team award at ESPYS
.JPG "Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive speaks of Sunday’s police shooting that drew protests outside Golden 1 Center before and during Thursday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.")
The NBA season and a potential playoff race are still on hold due to the coronavirus crisis, but the Kings have advanced to the final four for a prestigious award that will be presented at ESPN’s annual summer celebration of sports.
ESPN announced Wednesday the Kings are one of four finalists for the sixth annual Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award. This year’s Sports Humanitarian Awards will be presented as part of the 2020 ESPYS, which will air June 21 on ESPN. The network promises “an inspirational evening that showcases the true power of sports.”
Nominees for the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award include Nelson Cruz of the Minnesota Twins; Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers; Devin and Jason McCourty of the New England Patriots; Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx; and WWE star Titus O’Neil.
The other finalists for the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award are the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York FC.
“ESPN recognizes that this year more than ever, athletes, teams and leagues have been leading the way in responding to the needs of communities across the country and the world,” Kevin Martinez, ESPN’s vice president of corporate citizenship, said in a news release. “For six years, ESPN has been honored to telecast the Sports Humanitarian Awards, which highlights the impact that sports has to create social change, and we’re excited to carry that narrative through The ESPYS and our other platforms.”
Finalists for the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award will receive a $25,000 grant for the charity related to their humanitarian efforts. The winner will receive $100,000.
ESPN’s news release outlined the Kings’ work with the Build.Black coalition following the officer-involved shooting death of Stephon Clark in March 2018. When protesters surrounded the Golden 1 Center in the aftermath of the shooting, Kings owner Vivek Ranadive “heard the cries for action and committed that the team would work alongside the community to prevent future tragedies,” ESPN said.
In a statement issued to The Sacramento Bee, the Kings said they were proud to be a finalist for the award.
“The team, in collaboration with our incredible partners, is committed to using the platform of sports for social good and it is an honor to have this hard work recognized,” the Kings said. “We are proud to share this distinction with all of the extraordinary community organizations and dedicated leaders who are working tirelessly to positively impact black youth locally and individuals who have been affected by injustice in our society.”
Kings players and staff have participated in youth healing forums, STEM education and mentoring workshops and a co-ed youth basketball league. In partnership with Build.Black, the Kings have held more than 40 events and hosted nearly 2,500 area youth.
The Kings also partnered with the Milwaukee Bucks to host Team Up for Change, a daylong, first-of-its-kind summit designed to address social justice issues. The Kings visited Folsom State Prison to begin what ESPN called “a series of basketball games and thoughtful conversations between incarcerated persons, players and coaches aimed at breaking down stigmas associated with individuals, disproportionately people of color and the poor, who are impacted by the criminal justice system.”
