If you’ve walked near the Golden 1 Center on a game night recently, you’ve felt it. That buzz. It isn’t just about the beam. It’s about a franchise that, for a long time, felt like it was drifting out to sea, only to be yanked back to shore by a group of deep-pocketed investors who refused to let it go.
But when people ask who owns the Sacramento Kings, they usually expect a simple name. The reality is a bit more layered.
While Vivek Ranadivé is the face of the team—the guy you see sitting courtside with the relentless energy—he isn’t the only one with skin in the game. However, as of 2026, his grip on the organization is tighter than it has ever been. We aren't just talking about a majority stake anymore. We are talking about a massive consolidation of power that has fundamentally changed how the Kings operate behind the scenes.
The Man at the Top: Vivek Ranadivé
Vivek Ranadivé didn't just buy a basketball team; he bought a piece of Sacramento’s soul back in 2013. He’s a tech mogul. He made his fortune with TIBCO Software. Honestly, he’s the classic Silicon Valley success story—the immigrant who arrived with almost nothing and built a multi-billion dollar empire.
When the Maloof family was basically packing the moving trucks for Seattle, Ranadivé stepped in. He led a group that paid roughly $534 million for the team. At the time, it was a record price for an NBA franchise. People thought he was crazy. Today? The Kings are valued north of $4 billion.
Vivek is the Chairman and Governor. That means he has the final say. If a trade happens, or a coach gets the boot, his fingerprints are on it. He’s known for being "hands-on," which is a polite way of saying he’s incredibly involved in the day-to-day basketball decisions.
The Private Equity Shakeup
A few years ago, the NBA did something radical. They started letting private equity firms buy into teams. This changed everything for the Kings.
In late 2021, a firm called Arctos Sports Partners entered the chat. They bought out several original minority owners who had been there since the 2013 save. We are talking about guys like Mark Mastrov (the 24 Hour Fitness founder) and Andy Miller. Arctos now holds a significant 17% stake in the team.
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This wasn't just a random cash grab. It was a "roll-up." It allowed Ranadivé to clean up the cap table. Instead of having dozens of small voices in the room, he now has one massive institutional partner. It’s cleaner. It’s more corporate. And it’s much more efficient for making big financial swings.
The Local Investors Who Stayed
Despite the private equity influx, there is still a local heartbeat in the ownership group. You’ve got the Jacobs family, who are major players in the Sacramento business scene. Then there’s Kevin Nagle.
Nagle is an interesting case. He’s the guy behind Sacramento Republic FC, the soccer team. While many of the original 2013 investors cashed out when Arctos arrived, Nagle stayed. He’s still the largest owner within the "local" group called Play To Win.
These local owners matter because they keep the team tethered to the city. They aren't just looking at a spreadsheet; they live in the community. They care if the downtown area thrives.
The Shaq Factor
One name you won't see on the list anymore? Shaquille O'Neal.
Shaq was a minority owner for nearly a decade. It was great marketing. The "Big Diesel" owning a piece of the team that used to be his biggest rival? It was gold. But in 2022, Shaq had to sell his stake because of his business ties to a gambling company. NBA rules are strict about that stuff. He sold his shares to—you guessed it—Arctos Sports Partners.
How Ownership Actually Works in 2026
Ownership isn't just about who has the biggest bank account. It’s about the "Governor" role. In the NBA, every team must designate one person as the Governor to represent the team at Board of Governors meetings.
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Vivek Ranadivé is that guy.
Even though Arctos owns a huge chunk, and the Jacobs family has a say, Vivek is the boss. He’s the one who votes on league-wide rules, TV deals, and expansion.
The structure is basically a pyramid:
- The Peak: Vivek Ranadivé (Majority Owner/Governor)
- The Middle: Arctos Sports Partners (Institutional Investor)
- The Base: Local minority partners like the Jacobs family and Kevin Nagle.
Why the Ownership Story Matters Now
The Kings recently ended the longest playoff drought in NBA history. That isn't a coincidence. Ownership finally found a rhythm. For years, the knock on Ranadivé was that he was too involved. He wanted to play 4-on-5 defense. He pushed for specific draft picks.
But lately, there’s been a shift.
He’s empowered guys like Monte McNair to actually run the front office. The ownership group provided the capital to trade for stars like Domantas Sabonis and sign DeMar DeRozan. They aren't just sitting on their investment; they are spending to win.
The Real Estate Empire
You can't talk about who owns the Kings without talking about what else they own. The ownership group, through Kings Real Estate Holdings, owns a massive chunk of downtown Sacramento.
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- The Golden 1 Center.
- The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel.
- Dozens of retail and office spaces in the Downtown Commons (DOCO).
When you buy a beer at DOCO before a game, that money is flowing back into the same ecosystem that pays De'Aaron Fox’s salary. It’s a closed loop. It’s why the franchise value has skyrocketed even during the lean years on the court.
What to Watch For Next
The ownership situation is stable, but it isn't static. In the world of professional sports, people are always looking for the "exit."
Keep an eye on Arctos Sports Partners. Private equity firms usually have a timeline. They aren't in it for 50 years like a family would be. Eventually, they will want to sell their 17% stake for a profit. When that happens, does Vivek buy them out to become an even more dominant owner? Or does a new whale enter the Sacramento market?
Also, the Kings' ownership of the Sacramento River Cats (the SF Giants' Triple-A team) shows that Ranadivé is looking to build a regional sports empire. He’s not just a basketball owner anymore; he’s a sports mogul.
If you’re a fan, the takeaway is simple: the "who" matters less than the "how." And right now, the ownership group is more aligned than they’ve been in two decades. They saved the team, they built the arena, and now they are finally seeing the return on that $534 million gamble.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Track the Valuation: Monitor Sportico or Forbes' annual NBA valuation lists to see how the Kings' growth compares to big-market teams like the Warriors.
- Watch the Board: Pay attention to any new appointments to the Kings' executive board, as this often signals a shift in Arctos' influence versus Ranadivé’s local partners.
- Check Property Filings: If you're interested in the business side, follow the Sacramento Business Journal for updates on "Kings Real Estate Holdings" and their continued development of the DOCO district.