Jump to content

Sports in Sacramento, California: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
 
(44 intermediate revisions by 34 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{More citations needed|date=May 2021}}
The [[Sacramento, California|City of Sacramento]] and the [[Sacramento metropolitan area]] is home to one major league professional team — the Sacramento Kings of the NBA — and numerous minor league and amateur sports teams. Sacramento also has recreational facilities.
The [[Sacramento, California|City of Sacramento]] and the [[Sacramento metropolitan area]] are home to one major league professional team — the [[Sacramento Kings]] of the NBA — and numerous minor league and amateur sports teams. Sacramento also has recreational facilities.

[[File:Raley Field.JPG|thumb|right|[[Raley Field]], home of the [[Sacramento Rivercats|Rivercats]]]]
[[File:G1C Interior.jpg|thumb|A [[Sacramento Kings]] basketball game at [[Golden 1 Center]]]]
[[File:Raley Field.JPG|thumb|right|[[Sutter Health Park]], home of the [[Sacramento River Cats|River Cats]] and temporary home of the [[Athletics (baseball)|Athletics]].]]


==Professional sports==
==Professional sports==
Sacramento is home to the [[Sacramento Kings]] of the [[National Basketball Association]]. The Kings came to Sacramento from [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] in 1985.
Sacramento is home to the [[Sacramento Kings]] of the [[National Basketball Association]]. The Kings relocated to Sacramento from [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] in 1985.


On January 21, 2013, a 65% controlling interest of the Sacramento Kings was sold to Seattle-based investor, Chris Hansen. Hansen intended to move the franchise to Seattle for the 2013–2014 NBA season; the team was to be renamed the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] pending the approval of the sale and relocation by the NBA.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/01/21/maloofs-sell-kings.ap/index.html |title=Maloofs sell Kings to Hansen-led Seattle group |publisher=NBA.com |date=January 21, 2013 |accessdate=February 19, 2013}}</ref> On February 6, 2013, NBA Commissioner [[David Stern]] stated the Seattle ownership group had filed with the NBA for franchise relocation. Sacramento Mayor [[Kevin Johnson]] fought the move, forming an ownership group led by [[Vivek Ranadive]] which wanted to keep the Kings in Sacramento. On May 16, 2013, the NBA Board of Governors met to vote on the move. The final vote was 22-8 in favor of the Kings staying in Sacramento.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8923556/david-stern-says-seattle-group-bid-sacramento-kings-filed-relocation |title=Seattle group has filed for relocation |publisher=AP on ESPN.com |date=February 6, 2013 |accessdate=February 6, 2013}}</ref>
On January 21, 2013, a 65% controlling interest of the Sacramento Kings was sold to Seattle-based investor, Chris Hansen. Hansen intended to move the franchise to Seattle for the 2013–2014 NBA season; the team was to be renamed the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] pending the approval of the sale and relocation by the NBA.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/01/21/maloofs-sell-kings.ap/index.html |title=Maloofs sell Kings to Hansen-led Seattle group |publisher=NBA.com |date=January 21, 2013 |accessdate=February 19, 2013}}</ref> On February 6, 2013, NBA Commissioner [[David Stern]] stated the Seattle ownership group had filed with the NBA for franchise relocation. Sacramento Mayor [[Kevin Johnson (basketball)|Kevin Johnson]] fought the move, forming an ownership group led by [[Vivek Ranadive]] which wanted to keep the Kings in Sacramento. On May 16, 2013, the NBA Board of Governors met to vote on the move. The final vote was 22-8 in favor of the Kings staying in Sacramento.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/8923556/david-stern-says-seattle-group-bid-sacramento-kings-filed-relocation |title=Seattle group has filed for relocation |publisher=AP on ESPN.com |date=February 6, 2013 |access-date=February 6, 2013}}</ref>


Sutter Health Park (then known as Raley Field) hosted a minor league hockey game between the [[Stockton Heat]] and the [[Bakersfield Condors (AHL)|Bakersfield Condors]] of the [[American Hockey League]] on December 18, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oilers', Flames' AHL affiliates to play outdoor game|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=778058|website=NHL.com|access-date=2 September 2015}}</ref>
In 2000, AAA minor league baseball returned to Sacramento with the [[Sacramento River Cats]], an affiliate of the [[San Francisco Giants]]. The River Cats play in the recently constructed [[Raley Field]], located in West Sacramento.


The [[Sacramento PRO Rugby team|Sacramento rugby team]] plays at [[Bonney Field]] in the newly-formed [[PRO Rugby]] competition which kicks off in 2016.
In 2000, AAA minor league baseball returned to Sacramento with the [[Sacramento River Cats]], an affiliate of the [[San Francisco Giants]]. The River Cats play at [[Sutter Health Park]], located in [[West Sacramento]].

On April 3, 2024, the [[Oakland Athletics]] of [[Major League Baseball]] reached an agreement with the City of Sacramento to play at Sutter Health Park [[Oakland Athletics relocation to Las Vegas|on a temporary basis, beginning in 2025 before their permanent move to Las Vegas in 2028]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sactownsports.com/oakland-athletics-temporary-residency-sacramento/|title=Oakland Athletics to Announce Temporary Residency in Sacramento|last=Jarosz|first=Joseph|work=Sactown Sports|date=April 3, 2024}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
Line 22: Line 25:
! scope="col" | Founded
! scope="col" | Founded
! scope="col" | Championships
! scope="col" | Championships
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | [[Athletics (baseball)|Athletics]]
| align=center | [[Major League Baseball|MLB]]
| align=center | Baseball
| [[Sutter Health Park]]
| 1901 (2025)
| 9 [[World Series]] titles (5 in [[Philadelphia Athletics|Philadelphia]], 4 in [[Oakland Athletics|Oakland, California]])
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | [[Sacramento Kings]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | [[Sacramento Kings]]
| align=center | [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]
| align=center | [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]
| align=center | Basketball
| align=center | Basketball
| [[Sleep Train Arena]]
| [[Golden 1 Center]]
| 1945 (1985)
| 1945 (1985)
| 1 NBA, 2 NBL (as Rochester Royals)
| 1 NBA, 1 NBL (as Rochester Royals)
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | [[Sacramento River Cats]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | [[Sacramento River Cats]]
| align=center | [[Pacific Coast League|PCL]]
| align=center | [[Pacific Coast League|PCL]]
| align=center | Baseball
| align=center | Baseball
| Sutter Health Park
| [[Raley Field]]
| 1978 (2000)
| 1978 (2000)
| 2 Triple-A, 4 League
| 3 Triple-A, 5 League
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | [[Sacramento Republic FC]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | [[Sacramento Republic FC]]
| align=center | [[United Soccer League|USL]]
| align=center | [[USL Championship|USLC]]
| align=center | Soccer
| align=center | Soccer
| [[Bonney Field]]
| [[Bonney Field|Heart Health Park]]
| 2012
| 2012
| 2014 USL Pro Championship
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | [[Sacramento PRO Rugby team|Sacramento rugby team]]
| align=center | [[PRO Rugby|PRO]]
| align=center | [[Rugby union in the United States|Rugby]]
| [[Bonney Field]]
| 2016
| —
|-
|-
|}
|}


===Former pro teams===
===Former pro teams===
The now defunct [[Sacramento Monarchs]] of the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] were one of the eight founding members of the WNBA, which started in 1997. The Monarchs won the [[WNBA Championship]] in 2005 to become the first major, professional sports team in Sacramento to do so.{{cn|date=March 2016}} However, the Monarchs team folded in November 2009.
The now defunct [[Sacramento Monarchs]] of the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] were one of the eight founding members of the WNBA, which started in 1997. The Monarchs won the [[WNBA Championship]] in 2005 to become the first major, professional sports team in Sacramento to do so.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} However, the Monarchs team folded in November 2009.


The [[Sacramento Solons]], a [[minor league baseball]] team of the [[Pacific Coast League]], played in Sacramento during several periods (1903, 1905, 1909–1914, 1918–1960, 1974–1976), mostly at Edmonds Field.
The [[Sacramento Solons]], a [[minor league baseball]] team of the [[Pacific Coast League]], played in Sacramento during several periods (1903, 1905, 1909–1914, 1918–1960, 1974–1976), mostly at Edmonds Field.

The [[Sacramento Express]] played at Bonney Field (now named [[Bonney Field|Heart Health Park]]) and began play in the only [[2016 PRO Rugby season|PRO Rugby season]] before the league folded.

In the past, the city hosted three professional football teams, the [[Sacramento Surge]] of the [[World League of American Football]] (who won the [[World Bowl II]] on June 6, 1992), the [[Sacramento Gold Miners]] of the [[Canadian Football League]], and the [[Florida Bobcats|Sacramento Attack]] of the [[Arena Football League (1987–2008)|Arena Football League]].


==Semi-pro and amateur sports==
==Semi-pro and amateur sports==
[[File:City Skyline Raley Field.JPG|thumb|right|View of the city skyline from Raley Field]]
[[File:City Skyline Raley Field.JPG|thumb|right|View of the city skyline from Raley Field]]
Teams in several smaller leagues have been and continue to be in Sacramento. The [[Sacramento Heatwave]] of the [[American Basketball Association (21st century)|American Basketball Association]] currently plays at Folsom High School. In the past, the city hosted three professional football teams, the [[Sacramento Surge]] of the [[World League of American Football]] (who won the [[World Bowl II]] on June 6, 1992), the [[Sacramento Gold Miners]] of the [[Canadian Football League]], and the Sacramento Attack of the [[Arena Football League (1987–2008)|Arena Football League]]. Sacramento was also home to an [[indoor soccer]] team, the [[Sacramento Knights]] of the [[Continental Indoor Soccer League]] (later called the [[World Indoor Soccer League]]). The Sacramento XSV (pronounced "excessive") of the [[National Professional Paintball League]] represents the City but is based in [[Modesto, California]]. The newest sports team to come to Sacramento is the [[Sacramento Mountain Lions]] which is part of the [[United Football League (2009)]]. They currently play at [[Raley Field]] which is where the [[Sacramento River Cats]] play.
Teams in several smaller leagues have been and continue to be in Sacramento. The [[Sacramento Heatwave]] of the [[American Basketball Association (21st century)|American Basketball Association]] currently plays at Folsom High School.
Sacramento was also home to an [[indoor soccer]] team, the [[Sacramento Knights]] of the [[Continental Indoor Soccer League]] (later called the [[World Indoor Soccer League]]). The Sacramento XSV (pronounced "excessive") of the National Professional Paintball League represents the City but is based in [[Modesto, California]]. The last sports team to come to Sacramento was the [[Sacramento Mountain Lions]] which was part of the [[United Football League (2009)]]. They played at [[Raley Field]], home of the Sacramento River Cats.


Sacramento hosted the 2000 and 2004 USA Olympic Track & Field Trials. The California International Marathon (est. 1983) finishes in front of the Capitol, and attracts a field of international elite runners who vie for a share of the $50,000 prize purse. The fast point-to-point course begins in Folsom and is popular for runners seeking to achieve a Boston Marathon qualifying time and fitness runners. The Sacramento Mile is a national flat-track [[Motorcycle sport|motorcycle racing]] event. From 1961 to 1980, Sacramento hosted the [[Camellia Bowl (1961–1980)|Camellia Bowl]], which selected or helped select ten national champions in college football's lower divisions.
Sacramento hosted the 2000 and 2004 USA Olympic Track & Field Trials. The California International Marathon (est. 1983) finishes in front of the Capitol, and attracts a field of international elite runners who vie for a share of the $50,000 prize purse. The fast point-to-point course begins in Folsom and is popular for runners seeking to achieve a Boston Marathon qualifying time and fitness runners. The Sacramento Mile is a national flat-track [[Motorcycle sport|motorcycle racing]] event. From 1961 to 1980, Sacramento hosted the [[Camellia Bowl (1961–1980)|Camellia Bowl]], which selected or helped select ten national champions in college football's lower divisions.
Line 111: Line 120:
| [[Professional Arena Soccer League|PASL]]
| [[Professional Arena Soccer League|PASL]]
| Indoor Soccer
| Indoor Soccer
| McClellan Park
| Estadio Azteca Soccer Arena
| 2012
| 2012
|
|
Line 118: Line 127:
| [[United States Australian Football League|USAFL]]
| [[United States Australian Football League|USAFL]]
| Australian Football
| Australian Football
| [[Various]]
| Various
| 2009
| 2009
|
|
Line 134: Line 143:
Sacramento hosts some recreational facilities and events. The [[Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail]] that runs between [[Old Sacramento]] and [[Folsom Lake]] grants access to the American River Parkway, a natural area that includes more than {{convert|5000|acre|km2}} of undeveloped land. It attracts cyclists and equestrians from across the state. The [[California State Fair]] is held in Sacramento each year at the end of the summer, ending on [[Labor Day]]. In 2010, the State Fair moved to July. More than one million people attended this fair in 2001.
Sacramento hosts some recreational facilities and events. The [[Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail]] that runs between [[Old Sacramento]] and [[Folsom Lake]] grants access to the American River Parkway, a natural area that includes more than {{convert|5000|acre|km2}} of undeveloped land. It attracts cyclists and equestrians from across the state. The [[California State Fair]] is held in Sacramento each year at the end of the summer, ending on [[Labor Day]]. In 2010, the State Fair moved to July. More than one million people attended this fair in 2001.


Among other recreational options in Sacramento is Discovery Park, a {{convert|275|acre|km2|1|sing=on}} park studded with stands of mature trees and grasslands. This park is situated where the American River flows into the Sacramento River.
Among other recreational options in Sacramento is Discovery Park, a {{convert|275|acre|km2|1|adj=on}} park studded with stands of mature trees and grasslands. This park is situated where the American River flows into the Sacramento River.


In amateur sports, Sacramento claims many prominent Olympians such as Mark Spitz, Debbie Meyer, Mike Burton, Summer Sanders, Jeff Float (all swimming), and Billy Mills (track). Coach Sherm Chavoor founded his world famous Arden Hills Swim Club just east of the city and trained Burton, Myer, Spitz and others.
In amateur sports, Sacramento claims many prominent Olympians such as Mark Spitz, Debbie Meyer, Mike Burton, Summer Sanders, Jeff Float (all swimming), and Billy Mills (track). Coach Sherm Chavoor founded his world famous Arden Hills Swim Club just east of the city and trained Burton, Myer, Spitz and others.
Line 143: Line 152:
{{Sacramento}}
{{Sacramento}}
{{Sacramento County, California}}
{{Sacramento County, California}}
{{California sports}}


[[Category:Sports in California]]
[[Category:Sports in Sacramento, California|Sports in Sacramento]]
[[Category:Sacramento, California]]
[[Category:Sacramento, California]]
[[Category:Sports in Sacramento County, California]]
[[Category:Sports in Sacramento County, California|Sports in Sacramento County]]
[[Category:Sacramento metropolitan area|.]]
[[Category:Sacramento metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Sports in California by city|Sacramento]]

Latest revision as of 16:55, 23 December 2024

The City of Sacramento and the Sacramento metropolitan area are home to one major league professional team — the Sacramento Kings of the NBA — and numerous minor league and amateur sports teams. Sacramento also has recreational facilities.

A Sacramento Kings basketball game at Golden 1 Center
Sutter Health Park, home of the River Cats and temporary home of the Athletics.

Professional sports

[edit]

Sacramento is home to the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association. The Kings relocated to Sacramento from Kansas City in 1985.

On January 21, 2013, a 65% controlling interest of the Sacramento Kings was sold to Seattle-based investor, Chris Hansen. Hansen intended to move the franchise to Seattle for the 2013–2014 NBA season; the team was to be renamed the Seattle SuperSonics pending the approval of the sale and relocation by the NBA.[1] On February 6, 2013, NBA Commissioner David Stern stated the Seattle ownership group had filed with the NBA for franchise relocation. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson fought the move, forming an ownership group led by Vivek Ranadive which wanted to keep the Kings in Sacramento. On May 16, 2013, the NBA Board of Governors met to vote on the move. The final vote was 22-8 in favor of the Kings staying in Sacramento.[2]

Sutter Health Park (then known as Raley Field) hosted a minor league hockey game between the Stockton Heat and the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League on December 18, 2015.[3]

In 2000, AAA minor league baseball returned to Sacramento with the Sacramento River Cats, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The River Cats play at Sutter Health Park, located in West Sacramento.

On April 3, 2024, the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball reached an agreement with the City of Sacramento to play at Sutter Health Park on a temporary basis, beginning in 2025 before their permanent move to Las Vegas in 2028.[4]

Sacramento professional teams
Club League Sport Venue Founded Championships
Athletics MLB Baseball Sutter Health Park 1901 (2025) 9 World Series titles (5 in Philadelphia, 4 in Oakland, California)
Sacramento Kings NBA Basketball Golden 1 Center 1945 (1985) 1 NBA, 1 NBL (as Rochester Royals)
Sacramento River Cats PCL Baseball Sutter Health Park 1978 (2000) 3 Triple-A, 5 League
Sacramento Republic FC USLC Soccer Heart Health Park 2012 2014 USL Pro Championship

Former pro teams

[edit]

The now defunct Sacramento Monarchs of the Women's National Basketball Association were one of the eight founding members of the WNBA, which started in 1997. The Monarchs won the WNBA Championship in 2005 to become the first major, professional sports team in Sacramento to do so.[citation needed] However, the Monarchs team folded in November 2009.

The Sacramento Solons, a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, played in Sacramento during several periods (1903, 1905, 1909–1914, 1918–1960, 1974–1976), mostly at Edmonds Field.

The Sacramento Express played at Bonney Field (now named Heart Health Park) and began play in the only PRO Rugby season before the league folded.

In the past, the city hosted three professional football teams, the Sacramento Surge of the World League of American Football (who won the World Bowl II on June 6, 1992), the Sacramento Gold Miners of the Canadian Football League, and the Sacramento Attack of the Arena Football League.

Semi-pro and amateur sports

[edit]
View of the city skyline from Raley Field

Teams in several smaller leagues have been and continue to be in Sacramento. The Sacramento Heatwave of the American Basketball Association currently plays at Folsom High School.

Sacramento was also home to an indoor soccer team, the Sacramento Knights of the Continental Indoor Soccer League (later called the World Indoor Soccer League). The Sacramento XSV (pronounced "excessive") of the National Professional Paintball League represents the City but is based in Modesto, California. The last sports team to come to Sacramento was the Sacramento Mountain Lions which was part of the United Football League (2009). They played at Raley Field, home of the Sacramento River Cats.

Sacramento hosted the 2000 and 2004 USA Olympic Track & Field Trials. The California International Marathon (est. 1983) finishes in front of the Capitol, and attracts a field of international elite runners who vie for a share of the $50,000 prize purse. The fast point-to-point course begins in Folsom and is popular for runners seeking to achieve a Boston Marathon qualifying time and fitness runners. The Sacramento Mile is a national flat-track motorcycle racing event. From 1961 to 1980, Sacramento hosted the Camellia Bowl, which selected or helped select ten national champions in college football's lower divisions.

Club League Sport Venue Founded Championships
Sacramento Capitals WTT Tennis Allstate Stadium 1987 5
Sacramento Heatwave ABA Basketball Natomas H.S. Event Center 2003
Sacramento Gold NPSL Soccer Cosumnes River College 2003 1
Sacramento Sirens IWFL Football Foothill High School 2001 1 WAFL, 3 IWFL
Sacramento Pride WPSL Soccer Lincoln High School 1995
Sacramento Surge PASL Indoor Soccer McClellan Park 2012
Sacramento Suns USAFL Australian Football Various 2009

College and high school sports

[edit]

The Sacramento area is home to two NCAA Division 1 sports programs — Sacramento State, which fields 21 varsity sports, most in the Big Sky Conference; and UC Davis, which fields 23 varsity teams, most in the Big West Conference.

Sacramento has frequently hosted the NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship as well as the 1st and 2nd rounds of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.

Sacramento is a hotbed for high school rugby. Jesuit High has won national championships, winning six times in total. Their arch-rival school Christian Brothers has come in second nationwide. Granite Bay, Burbank, Del Campo, Sierra Foothills, and Vacaville have also placed well in the national competition over the years. The Sacramento Valley High School Rugby Conference hosts the largest and arguably deepest preseason youth and high school rugby tournament in America.

Recreation

[edit]

Sacramento hosts some recreational facilities and events. The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail that runs between Old Sacramento and Folsom Lake grants access to the American River Parkway, a natural area that includes more than 5,000 acres (20 km2) of undeveloped land. It attracts cyclists and equestrians from across the state. The California State Fair is held in Sacramento each year at the end of the summer, ending on Labor Day. In 2010, the State Fair moved to July. More than one million people attended this fair in 2001.

Among other recreational options in Sacramento is Discovery Park, a 275-acre (1.1 km2) park studded with stands of mature trees and grasslands. This park is situated where the American River flows into the Sacramento River.

In amateur sports, Sacramento claims many prominent Olympians such as Mark Spitz, Debbie Meyer, Mike Burton, Summer Sanders, Jeff Float (all swimming), and Billy Mills (track). Coach Sherm Chavoor founded his world famous Arden Hills Swim Club just east of the city and trained Burton, Myer, Spitz and others.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Maloofs sell Kings to Hansen-led Seattle group". NBA.com. January 21, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  2. ^ "Seattle group has filed for relocation". AP on ESPN.com. February 6, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  3. ^ "Oilers', Flames' AHL affiliates to play outdoor game". NHL.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  4. ^ Jarosz, Joseph (April 3, 2024). "Oakland Athletics to Announce Temporary Residency in Sacramento". Sactown Sports.