In somewhat shocking news, the Kings announced today the departure of Sacramento Kings President Chris Granger.

Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Sacramento Kings President Chris Granger released the following statement announcing his departure. “The Kings are in an amazing place, and it’s time for me to take on a new challenge. Together, we reenergized downtown Sacramento, creating the world’s most technologically advanced and sustainable arena that our fans and team are proud to call home. The community of Sacramento has embraced my family and I will always be proud of the role I played here. I want to thank Vivek, the Kings’ leadership team and incredible staff for their support. I’m confident the Kings organization will continue to do great things in Sacramento and break new ground across the League.” Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé released the following statement on Granger's departure. “Chris is one of the best in the business and we are extremely thankful for his contributions to the Kings and the Sacramento community. He was instrumental in helping us create the world’s most innovative and sustainable arena, Golden 1 Center, for our fans and building Sacramento’s new entertainment district, Downtown Commons. Approaching the one year anniversary of our new arena’s opening, we continue to see great progress across the entire organization that wouldn't have been possible without his leadership. The management team going forward will be led by Chief Operating Officer Matina Kolokotronis and, starting today, the current Chief Financial Officer John Rinehart has been named President of Business Operations. Chris will remain with the team for one month through a transition period. We wish Chris and his family all the best as he moves into the next stage of his career.”

Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee broke the news with an interview of Granger in which he expressed an interest to be challenged, feeling that all his major work here has already been achieved.

“I just feel it’s time,” Granger said Monday. “I’m not leaving for another job. There is nothing imminent. But I want to do something else, to be challenged in a position working with multiple sports, maybe the Olympics, something with a bigger platform. With the arena, this job will be about selling corporate sponsorships, and I just think there’s one more big move in me. Plus, my girls are entering middle school, so this seems like the right time.”

Granger was part of the NBA’s leadership under David Stern during the relocation crises of 2011 and 2013 and was Stern’s man on the ground during that time. After Vivek Ranadivé bought the team, he brought on Granger to help with the transition and to get the Golden 1 Center operational. Granger was instrumental in helping the Kings land their most lucrative local television deal ever as well.

With the Golden 1 Center successfully launched last year and the major challenges of his job over, Granger seems to want to move on. That’s only appropriate for someone with his talents, but it will be a big loss for the Kings and for Sacramento as a whole.