Years after losing his job over a controversial social media post, the veteran broadcaster doubles down on his stance while critiquing the franchise's ownership and struggling for airtime.
Former Sacramento Kings play-by-play announcer Grant Napear's opinion on a controversial post from six years ago remains unchanged, even when it cost him television and radio jobs.
Napear responded to a question posed by former Kings center DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins asked him his thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement; his answer sparked negative reactions that changed opinions about him and led to his removal from the air.
“Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me. Haven’t heard from you in years. ALL LIVES MATTER...EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!” Napear replied on X on May 31, 2020.
The former announcer shares the same mindset six years later. He quoted his old post last Sunday to show his views haven't changed -- and he hasn't found many people who disagree.
"Six years ago today. Are there really still people that don't agree with this? I haven't found many!" Napear posted.
While Napear believes his comments weren't insensitive, the business world disagreed. Bonneville International Corporation, the parent company of Sactown Sports 1140, fired him following his comments, and he resigned from his TV job with the Kings.
He returned to the air five years after his controversial message. Napear hosted the first episode of "The Grant Napear Show" on Fox Sports 104.7 FM/890 AM in September 2025.
One caller asked about his thoughts on how long it will take for Sacramento to build a winning team, and he was brutally honest. He criticized the Kings' owner, Vivek Ranadivé, for his hands-on approach and how it hampers the general manager's ability to build.
“It’s going to be a while,” Napear said. “I’m very concerned about their owner. I think Vivek Ranadive has proven he is not a good owner. He meddles. ... I think Scott Perry has his hands cuffed in many of the things he’s trying to do the same way Monte McNair had his hands cuffed, the same way Vlade Divac had his hands cuffed."
His show lasted eight months before FOX Sports KSac abruptly cancelled his show. Now, he is hosting his "If You Don't Like It With Grant Napear" podcast on YouTube and X on Monday through Friday.
Napear has an extensive history in Sacramento. He was the Kings' play-by-play radio announcer from 1995-1998 and was their play-by-play television announcer from 1988-2020.
The former Kings announcer was renowned across Sacramento sports media, but is now fighting for airtime. His comments from six years ago have made a return to the sports radio air difficult for the veteran.
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