The
Rochester Royals were a professional basketball team that played in the National Basketball Association (
NBA) from
1948 to
1957 before moving to
Cincinnati and eventually becoming the Sacramento Kings. The franchise was founded in
1945 in
Rochester,
New York, as a member of the National Basketball League (NBL). In
1948, the NBL merged with the Basketball Association of America (BAA) to form the
NBA, and the Royals became one of the league's original teams.
During their time in
Rochester, the Royals achieved success on the court, winning the NBL championship in
1946 and the
NBA championship in
1951. The team was known for its strong defensive play and talented roster. However, despite their on-court success, the Royals faced financial difficulties and struggled to draw large crowds to their games.
In
1957, the franchise moved to
Cincinnati,
Ohio, and was renamed the
Cincinnati Royals. The move was aimed at finding a larger market and increasing the team's revenue potential. The franchise continued to play in
Cincinnati until
1972, when it relocated again, this time to
Kansas City,
Missouri, and became the
Kansas City-Omaha Kings. In
1975, the team settled in Sacramento,
California, and was renamed the Sacramento Kings, where they continue to play to this day.
Although the
Rochester Royals are no longer around, their legacy lives on in the history of the
NBA, and their championship win in
1951 remains a significant moment in the league's early years. The franchise's relocation to
Cincinnati and eventual move to Sacramento allowed them to find a more stable and supportive fan base, contributing to their continued presence in the
NBA today.