Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive tried to fire up his struggling franchise at a fancy training-camp dinner and it reportedly went sideways.
According to NBA insider Zach Lowe on his podcast, the entire team and staff gathered for a lavish meal as training camp began. Ranadive stood up and turned the evening into what sources called a “prolonged roast.”
He listed the many ways players, coaches and executives had been failing, leaning into the criticism the Kings have faced as a frequent media punchline.
Mixed reactions in the room
Some people in attendance were alarmed. They felt the speech was not landing the way the owner intended. Others understood the approach. They believed Ranadive was trying to use outside criticism as fuel, essentially saying “here’s what people say about you – prove them wrong” rather than claiming those failures as his personal view.
Lowe said he checked with the Kings organization which confirmed the general outline of the story. The franchise has endured years of struggle under Ranadive’s ownership since 2013, with only one playoff appearance and a dismal 22-60 record last season.
Kings push back on the report
The team later pushed back hard against the “roast” characterization. In a statement, the Kings said any depiction of the speech as a roast was false. They explained that Ranadive opened by poking fun at himself and the things people say about him.
The rest of the comments, according to the organization were lighthearted and motivational coming from a place of respect for the players and their work. The team called the media portrayal unfortunate and taken out of context.
The unusual dinner episode has added another chapter to the Kings’ preseason headlines, arriving just as the franchise looks to reverse years of underperformance. Whether the owner’s approach ultimately motivates the group or creates lasting awkwardness remains to be seen as the new season approaches.
