A federal appeals court ruled against former Sacramento Kings announcer Grant Napear on Thursday, ending his free speech lawsuit over a 2020 tweet that cost him his job. Napear spent 31 years calling Kings games before his dismissal. The team's current focus is on the court, coming off a 122-110 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on April 13, 2026.
What happened with Grant Napear?
Grant Napear was watching coverage of the nationwide protests following George Floyd's death in May 2020. He was off work at the time. Former Kings star DeMarcus Cousins, then with the Los Angeles Lakers, asked Napear on Twitter, now known as X, for his take on the Black Lives Matter movement.
Napear replied he was glad to hear from Cousins. He then wrote, "ALL LIVES MATTER ... EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!" That single tweet blew up his long broadcasting career. Bonneville International Corp., his employer, fired him shortly after the social media exchange went viral.
The company argued the tweet violated its social media policy. Napear sued, claiming the company punished him for personal political expression unrelated to his work. He insisted his comment was protected speech.
Why did the court rule against him?
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's decision. Judges found Bonneville was within its rights to terminate Napear's contract. The ruling stated the company's interests in maintaining a reputation free from controversy outweighed Napear's speech claims.
Napear's legal team argued the firing was politically motivated. They said it had nothing to do with his performance calling Kings games. The court disagreed, noting the tweet occurred during a period of intense national debate and widespread protests.
Bonneville's lawyers successfully contended the "All Lives Matter" message was damaging to the company's business relationships. The Kings organization itself had issued statements in support of racial justice at the time. Napear's public stance created a direct conflict.
What is the context for the Sacramento Kings now?
The Kings organization has moved forward from the 2020 controversy. The team's performance on the court is the primary focus for fans and management. You can track their progress on our [standings](/standings) page throughout the season.
Their recent form shows a mixed bag of results. In their last five games, the Kings have a record of 2 wins and 3 losses. The sequence was L-W-W-L-L, with the most recent game being a loss. That April defeat to the Trail Blazers highlighted some defensive struggles, particularly in the paint.
Head coach and the current roster are working to build consistency. Player development and offensive execution will be key areas for improvement. The team needs better perimeter defense and more assists to create easy scoring opportunities.
What does this mean for employee speech in sports?
The Napear case sets a significant precedent for sports media professionals. It clarifies that personal social media accounts can still have professional consequences. Even statements made off-air and during personal time are not automatically protected.
Teams and broadcast partners increasingly monitor public comments from their personnel. The line between personal opinion and company representation is often blurry. This ruling suggests courts will often side with employers in similar disputes involving high-profile figures.
For the Kings, the focus remains entirely on basketball. The front office is likely evaluating roster needs and potential trades. Fans can check the latest player availability on our [injuries](/injuries) page. Building a team capable of a deep playoff run is the ultimate goal.
The 2026 season presents new challenges and opportunities. Every game matters in the tough Western Conference. The Kings will need to improve their field goal percentage and limit turnovers. Securing wins against conference rivals is essential for playoff positioning.
