Former Sacramento Kings announcer Grant Napear reiterates controversial message
Former Sacramento Kings play-by-play announcer Grant Napear took to social media Sunday to reiterate a controversial message on the six-year anniversary of the infamous tweet that cost him his television and radio jobs.
In his original tweet on May 31, 2020, Napear responded to a question from former Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, who asked Napear for his thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement after George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
Napear replied: “Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me. Haven’t heard from you in years. ALL LIVES MATTER...EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!”
Former Kings players Chris Webber and Matt Barnes joined the discussion, posting comments that painted Napear as a “clown” and a “closet racist.” Amid the fallout, Napear was fired by Bonneville International Corporation, the parent company of Sactown Sports 1140, and resigned from his television job with the Kings.
Napear maintains that his words were not offensive and he did not know they would be perceived as racially insensitive. He reasserted that position Sunday when he quote-tweeted his original remarks, writing: “6 years ago today. Are there really still people that don’t agree with this? I haven’t found many!”
A federal judge dismissed Napear’s wrongful termination suit against Bonneville in April 2025. Napear returned to Sacramento’s airwaves in September when Fox Sports KSAC hired him to host “The Grant Napear Show,” but the show was abruptly canceled on May 4. Napear said he will host his podcast Monday through Friday on YouTube and X.
