http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/38927.html
Media insider: Kings' voices discuss arena
By Joe Davidson -
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, October 13, 2006
Three announcers.
Three proponents of a new downtown arena. Three Kings voices who frown when asked if the November measures have much of a chance. And three who can't comprehend the idea of the Kings happily pulling up stakes and bolting town.
Which could mean, theoretically, they might leave grudgingly.
Gary Gerould, Jim Kozimor and Grant Napear have been the voices of the Kings in one form or another since the club landed in Sacramento in 1985. Each man admits to being a Kings fan. All are franchise employees, and they wear Kings garb in public.
Yet each insists he never has been instructed by club management or ownership to be on-air advocates for a new building, to use their media forum to influence the customers.
Not that any of the broadcasters want to see the arena project crumble. They want a new arena for three reasons: It's good for the region; it's good for the Kings; and it's darn good for their checking accounts.
"No question, that's a fair way to look at it," Kozimor said of perception. "One might think, He works for the Kings; he's going to give the company line. But we're not doing that."
Local government officials have debated the issue on Kozimor's nightly program on KHTK (1140 AM). On his drive-time program with Mike Lamb on KHTK, Napear clearly is pro-arena, arguing a new arena is more about an improved "quality of life" since the structure would house various forms of entertainment.
Gerould is the Kings' signature radio voice, but he doesn't do talk radio. He has said, though, getting people to vote for a new tax to finance the project is a "hard sell."
"It's a monstrous challenge," Gerould said. "I hope like heck it survives. Obviously, it affects all of us. It's our livelihood. But it's more than that.
"I remember the basketball entertainment around here was high school and Sacramento State before the Kings. I shudder to think what it'd be like if the Kings left. Are we a think-small city? I sure hope not, but it looks like it. I just can't imagine this city stepping backward."
Napear said the ballot issue is "in trouble" and that Sacramento "would take a major hit (if the Kings leave)."
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at (916) 326-1280 or jdavidson@sacbee.com.
Media insider: Kings' voices discuss arena
By Joe Davidson -
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, October 13, 2006
Three announcers.
Three proponents of a new downtown arena. Three Kings voices who frown when asked if the November measures have much of a chance. And three who can't comprehend the idea of the Kings happily pulling up stakes and bolting town.
Which could mean, theoretically, they might leave grudgingly.
Gary Gerould, Jim Kozimor and Grant Napear have been the voices of the Kings in one form or another since the club landed in Sacramento in 1985. Each man admits to being a Kings fan. All are franchise employees, and they wear Kings garb in public.
Yet each insists he never has been instructed by club management or ownership to be on-air advocates for a new building, to use their media forum to influence the customers.
Not that any of the broadcasters want to see the arena project crumble. They want a new arena for three reasons: It's good for the region; it's good for the Kings; and it's darn good for their checking accounts.
"No question, that's a fair way to look at it," Kozimor said of perception. "One might think, He works for the Kings; he's going to give the company line. But we're not doing that."
Local government officials have debated the issue on Kozimor's nightly program on KHTK (1140 AM). On his drive-time program with Mike Lamb on KHTK, Napear clearly is pro-arena, arguing a new arena is more about an improved "quality of life" since the structure would house various forms of entertainment.
Gerould is the Kings' signature radio voice, but he doesn't do talk radio. He has said, though, getting people to vote for a new tax to finance the project is a "hard sell."
"It's a monstrous challenge," Gerould said. "I hope like heck it survives. Obviously, it affects all of us. It's our livelihood. But it's more than that.
"I remember the basketball entertainment around here was high school and Sacramento State before the Kings. I shudder to think what it'd be like if the Kings left. Are we a think-small city? I sure hope not, but it looks like it. I just can't imagine this city stepping backward."
Napear said the ballot issue is "in trouble" and that Sacramento "would take a major hit (if the Kings leave)."
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at (916) 326-1280 or jdavidson@sacbee.com.
