Former Kings Announcer Grant Napear Loses Federal Appeal
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has officially upheld the dismissal of former Sacramento Kings broadcaster Grant Napear’s wrongful termination lawsuit. Napear filed the suit against Bonneville International, the parent company of sports radio station KHTK, after his firing in June 2020. This ruling marks a definitive legal turn for a voice that defined Sacramento basketball broadcasts for over two decades.
The Background of the Legal Battle
Grant Napear served as the play-by-play voice of the Sacramento Kings from 1988 until 2020, becoming a household name across Northern California. His career abruptly ended following a social media exchange on Twitter (now X) during the height of the national civil rights protests in June 2020. Former Kings center DeMarcus Cousins asked Napear for his thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement, prompting Napear to reply, “All Lives Matter… Every Single One!”
The Fallout and Initial Lawsuit
Within days of the tweet, KHTK radio and the Sacramento Kings severed ties with Napear. In 2021, Napear filed a federal lawsuit against Bonneville International, alleging wrongful termination, discrimination based on his religious beliefs, and retaliation. He argued that his statement aligned with his Christian faith and that the company discriminated against him based on his race and gender.
Why the Appeals Court Upheld the Dismissal
A federal district judge initially dismissed Napear’s lawsuit in 2023, ruling that the broadcaster failed to prove his termination was motivated by religious discrimination. Napear subsequently appealed the decision to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The three-judge appellate panel agreed with the lower court, stating that Bonneville International acted within its rights as a private employer.
The court found no evidence that the radio station held discriminatory animus toward Napear’s religious views. Instead, the judges noted that the station made a business decision in response to public backlash and the loss of advertiser confidence. In California, an at-will employment state, private companies retain significant latitude to terminate employees over public controversies that could harm business operations.
Legal Arguments vs. Court Rulings
| Legal Claim | Napear’s Argument | Court’s Final Ruling |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Discrimination | The phrase “All Lives Matter” reflects his deeply held Christian beliefs on the sanctity of human life. | Dismissed. The employer fired him due to business backlash, not due to animus against his religion. |
| Wrongful Termination | Bonneville International violated his free speech rights and terminated him without proper cause. | Dismissed. As an at-will employee of a private company, constitutional free speech protections do not apply. |
| Racial Discrimination | He was targeted and disciplined differently because of his racial background. | Dismissed. No factual evidence was provided to support the claim of race-based disparate treatment. |
What This Means for Sacramento Sports Media
This ruling represents a significant moment for Sacramento sports fans who spent decades listening to Napear’s signature “If you don’t like that, you don’t like Kings basketball!” catchphrase. Since his departure, the broadcast booth at Golden 1 Center has transitioned, with Mark Jones and Kyle Draper taking over play-by-play duties. For local media professionals, the decision reinforces the reality of social media policies and the limited protections offered under the guise of free speech when working for private corporations.
What Lies Ahead for Both Parties
With the 9th Circuit upholding the dismissal, Napear’s remaining legal avenues are incredibly narrow. He could petition for an en banc review by a larger panel of 9th Circuit judges or attempt to take the case to the United States Supreme Court, though legal experts consider both scenarios highly unlikely to succeed or change the outcome. Bonneville International can now move past this litigation, while Sacramento sports talk radio continues to evolve its programming under new voices.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Case
- Why was Grant Napear fired?
He was fired in 2020 after tweeting “All Lives Matter” in response to a question from former Kings player DeMarcus Cousins during a period of national protests. - What did Napear claim in his lawsuit?
Napear claimed Bonneville International wrongfully terminated him, alleging racial and religious discrimination because his tweet aligned with his Christian beliefs. - What did the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decide?
The court upheld the lower court’s dismissal of the lawsuit, ruling that Napear failed to show his firing was based on religious discrimination rather than a standard business decision. - Can Grant Napear appeal this decision again?
Yes, he can petition for a full 9th Circuit review or appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, but legal experts believe the chances of either court hearing the case are extremely low.
For Sacramento residents and local media professionals, this ruling serves as a clear reminder that social media conduct can carry immediate, legally binding career consequences, highlighting the importance of understanding the boundaries of at-will employment in California.
Former Kings Announcer Grant Napear Loses Appeal
