The Sacramento Kings have renamed their media and press dining room the "Gary 'G-Man' Gerould Media Center" in honor of their longtime radio play-by-play announcer. Gerould is entering his 42nd season behind the microphone, a position he has held since the team moved to Sacramento in 1985.
At 86, Gerould has called over 3,000 Kings games, making him one of the longest-tenured broadcasters in the NBA. His voice has narrated the franchise’s highs and lows, from early days at ARCO Arena to the current era at Golden 1 Center. Sacramento Kings chairman and owner Vivek Ranadivé said in a statement that Gerould’s impact extends beyond the court, praising him for bringing every moment to life with “unmatched precision, passion, and storytelling.”
Gerould’s career longevity is rare and largely unplanned. “I never even thought about way down the road,” he told USA TODAY Sports. “I had no idea how long this adventure might continue. And the fact that we're now starting the 42nd year, I guess that means I’m officially old.” Despite his decades in broadcasting, Gerould remains a familiar figure around the Kings facility. His presence commands respect and often sparks brief conversations with players, coaches, and fans alike.
His tenure has spanned four ownership groups, more than 20 head coaches, countless assistant coaches, and every player to wear a Kings jersey over the last four decades. He describes the organization as a family, a feeling nurtured by the current leadership under general manager Scott Perry and head coach Doug Christie. “It’s something that I don’t think you find in every professional sports franchise,” Gerould said.
The most memorable period of Gerould’s career coincides with the Rick Adelman era from 1999 to 2006. During that time, the Kings evolved into a formidable and entertaining team featuring Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic, Vlade Divac, Doug Christie, Jason Williams, and Mike Bibby. Gerould recalled envying broadcasters covering successful teams before Sacramento’s rise, but the Kings’ transformation changed that.
“Suddenly, we became good, and I mean very good. And we became very entertaining,” he said. “We had a tremendous following around the country. That was a very magical time, and I thought for the first time in my career with the Kings, I’m legitimately seeing a team that when they take the floor, you feel like you’ve got a legitimate shot to win the ball game. And that’s a great, great feeling.”
While the Kings have struggled in recent seasons, missing nearly 300 man games to injury last year, Gerould remains optimistic about the future. “Now, as you start the preseason, it’s the first step in trying to answer all the questions that have been generated,” he said. “Trying to determine whether or not the optimism that we all feel as you start a new season is valid.”
Gerould’s broadcasting career extends beyond the NBA. He has called over 1,800 televised events, including NFL games, Olympic coverage, and motorsports, working with ESPN, ABC, and NBC for 37 years. His voice is a familiar presence in Sacramento sports media, where he also spent 12 years at KCRA-TV.
He places himself alongside legendary NBA broadcasters Chick Hearn of the Los Angeles Lakers and Al McCoy of the Phoenix Suns. “It’s hard for me still to wrap my mind around it,” he said. “I look at the legendary Chick Hearn, and I look at Al McCoy in Phoenix. There’s two sterling examples of not only being great broadcasters, but great individuals. And the fact that, you know, I joined kind of that select group is hard for me to really, you know, wrap my arms around, but at the same time, it’s pretty darn cool.”
Gerould continues to be moved by the talent he witnesses on the court. “There’ll be some nights when suddenly, it’ll take your breath away. And the challenge of trying to find a way on radio to be able to describe that, so that whoever may be listening can appreciate the electricity of the moment,” he said.
The Kings’ decision to rename their media center after Gerould reflects his enduring presence and influence within the franchise. He remains an essential voice for Sacramento basketball as the team embarks on another season.
According to Yahoo Sports.
