Kings launch program to connect with community
The Kings are launching a program entitled “In This Together,” a wide-ranging effort to engage and connect with the community during the coronavirus crisis through online activations, health awareness, physical and educational activities, business support and more.
The initiative is part of a league-wide campaign to help the global NBA community through difficult and unprecedented times as the world wrestles with a global pandemic. The NBA, which hasn’t played a game since its first player contracted the coronavirus on March 11, has encouraged teams to develop programs in four categories: Know the Facts, Acts of Caring, Expand Your Community and NBA Together Live.
The Kings will work with their G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings, as well as Kings Guard Gaming and Golden 1 Center to utilize their digital platforms, community partners and the voices of players, coaches, broadcasters, game-night hosts and others to educate, entertain, support and encourage acts of kindness in the community.
“We are committed to look out for one another as we work to get through this together and remain #SacramentoProud,” the Kings said in a news release. “We have already begun to activate, from producing PSAs to donating our food to local schools that need it. But there is always more we can do.”
The Kings announced their campaign with a video narrated by Gary Gerould, the longtime radio voice of the Kings. Gerould offers a nod to the spirit Kings fans have demonstrated through years of adversity with an uplifting message of hope and togetherness against a video montage featuring footage and highlights dating back to the team’s arrival in Sacramento in 1985.
“Kings fans have stood by us for 35 years,” Gerould said in the video. “Through good times and some bad, game-winners and heartbreakers. While we’re all experiencing an unprecedented time, we’ve always been one giant global Kings family who unite in the face of uncertainty and grow ever more resilient. Stay healthy. Stay strong. We’ll overcome this, too, and when the time comes, have those cowbells ready, because this Kings team is just getting started.”
Know the Facts — The Kings have used various platforms to disseminate news and information from California public health officials and the American Red Cross to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, guard Bogdan Bogdanovic and forward Marvin Bagley III have offered tips for staying healthy and active. The team has also shared helpful links, including this NBA.com page: Coronavirus: Know the Facts.
Acts of Caring — The Kings and Legends Hospitality donated nearly 5,000 pounds of food to the Sacramento Food Bank and the Sacramento County Office of Education to help feed families affected by school closures and other individuals in need.
The Kings plan to host a blood drive with Budweiser, which is working with the Red Cross to bring in blood donations across the country. Kings partner Xfinity has put together a library of free educational resources for all ages. In addition, the Kings have created color sheets and downloadable activities in partnership with First 5 California for young fans at Kings.com/Together.
Expand Your Community — The Kings are taking steps to expand the virtual community while people isolate themselves
to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Fans can join the Sacramento Kings, Stockton Kings, Kings Guard Gaming and Golden 1 Center in a #InThisTogether photo challenge or listen to the “Golden 1 Center Work From Home” playlist on Spotify. Other plans include an at-home workout video featuring Kings game-night host Katerina Kountouris; at-home basketball drills led by Kings greats Doug Christie and Bobby Jackson and Stockton Kings coach Ty Ellis; and at-home dance lessons with the 916 Crew.
NBA Together Live — NBC Sports California is re-airing select “Classic Games” from 2017-20. Some of the broadcasts include newly recorded commentary from Kings forward Harrison Barnes, who hasn’t broken his vow to remain unshaven unless the Kings get to .500 before the end of the season.
The Kings are encouraging fans to watch Pay It Forward Live, a digital concert series from Verizon that will benefit small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Other contests and entertainment ideas will be shared at Kings.com/Together.