GREATER SACRAMENTO
Exterior photo from January 2020 of Golden 1 Center and DOCO Plaza .
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SACRAMENTO KINGS
According to research conducted by Gallup in 2018 , soccer ’ s popularity with millennials in the U . S . is now comparable to basketball . How has the Sacramento Kings ’ new arena , the Golden 1 Center , and associated development bolstered our region ’ s economy ?
Our vision for Golden 1 Center and ( Downtown Commons ) was to build a 21st century communal fireplace — an experience center featuring world-class entertainment , art , food and activities for all ages . The combined development has created a new standard of technology , sustainability and design recognized around the world while at the same time producing jobs locally and serving as a major catalyst for the revitalization of downtown . Projects around Golden 1 Center are at the center of over $ 4 billion in investment , growing the region ’ s urban core and fueling its economy and quality of life .
Matina Kolokotronis
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER , SACRAMENTO KINGS
How do you expect the increasing popularity of sports like basketball and soccer to impact Sacramento over the next several years ? How can the region ’ s economy best capitalize on those opportunities ?
You have seen this synergy already — this is a city built on basketball and we have incredible fans who fought to keep the team in Sacramento . As we have seen throughout history , sports play an important role in bringing people together in ways that create shared purpose and contributing to the economy in meaningful ways . That has certainly been true here , where our investment in downtown has spurred an economic renaissance , creating significant investment in the area surrounding the world-class Golden 1 Center .
What do you envision in terms of institutional investment and business development to advance the success of the Sacramento region and its sports franchises by attracting young talent ( millennials ) to the job market and the region ?
It is incumbent upon local sports teams and area businesses to continue to invest in the next generation of leaders , customers and fans . Sacramento is already home to a steady pipeline of diverse graduates from top-tier universities in the region and is a leading destination for workers relocating from the Bay Area , creating the perfect environment for companies to grow . Young people are driving the economy of the future and it is crucial to our region ’ s sustainable and equitable growth that we all commit to attracting and retaining top talent .
36 comstocksmag . com | 2020