SACRAMENTO - Retired NBA Commissioner David J. Stern was honored during a ribbon cutting ceremony outside the Golden 1 Center, officially declaring the brand new arena ready for business.
The 74-year-old Stern, who represented the NBA's owners during the long saga that almost saw the Kings leave Sacramento to both Anaheim and Seattle, was introduced to a standing ovation by almost 1,000 people in front of the main entrance to the arena.
Mayor Kevin Johnson and Kings' majority owner and chairman Vivek Ranadive, the two other key cogs in keeping the team in Sacramento, presented Stern with his own road sign - David J. Stern Walk - naming the path leading up to the arena in his honor.
"It really is special and meaningful to me," Stern told the crowd, who said he will return for the Kings' regular season home opener on Oct. 27.
Following the ceremony, Stern joined Ranadive and Mayor Johnson who cut a yellow ribbon officially marking the opening of the Golden 1 Center.
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