Entering their 13th season as owners of the Sacramento
Kings, the Maloof family is the franchise’s
longest tenured owners in the Kings-Royals’ 64-year
history. Since taking over the team in July of 1999, the
Maloofs have guided the Kings to their most successful
stretch in the Sacramento-era (since 1985), recording
50-plus victories five times, winning back-to-back
Pacific Division titles in 2001-02 and 2002-03, and
advancing to the 2002 Western Conference Finals.
Even more impressive than the company’s competitive
accomplishments has been Maloof Sports
& Entertainment’s significant impact within the
community. The Maloof family’s business philosophy
strongly incorporates the idea of making a meaningful
difference in the lives of families in need and at risk in
the Sacramento region. Over the last 12 years, Maloof
Sports & Entertainment has donated and distributed
more than $20 million to a variety of charitable causes
through cash donations and in-kind gifts.
The family’s dedication to community service
earned Joe and Gavin Maloof the World Sports Humanitarian
Hall of Fame’s Most Involved Executives
award for 2001. In addition, the organization’s work
was recognized with the Pro Team Humanitarian Award
in both 2002 and 2004.
Striving toward the goal of providing complete
customer and employee satisfaction, Maloof Sports
& Entertainment works under the vision statement of
“a championship caliber team of people committed
to the highest level of performance, service, quality,
innovation, community involvement, and winning
relationships.”
“Our family lives by two Maloof business philosophies: Cater to our customers and take care of our employees,”
states Joe Maloof. “We have a long-term commitment to our fans and employees that makes the
entire Sacramento community proud to call this organization their own.”
The Kings and Maloof Sports & Entertainment are always exploring ways to enhance the entertainment
value of Kings season ticket holders and fans. In the 2000-2001 operating budget, the company earmarked
$1 million for training, services, and equipment designed to improve customer service and satisfaction. The
investment paid immediate dividends, as the Kings ranked first in the NBA in overall fan experience in 2001
and 2003 in a league-wide survey conducted every other year by J.D. Powers and Associates.
The Maloofs’ marketing and promotion innovation is seen throughout the sporting world. The Maloof
Money Cup is widely recognized as the premier skateboarding contest, having awarded millions of dollars in
prize money to the sport’s upper echelon competitors since the inaugural event in Orange County in 2008.
Seven Maloof Money Cup events have been held in all, including stops in New York City, Washington D.C.,
Orange County, and Kimberley, South Africa, and the contest has plans to expand to even more international
cities in the years to come.
But the Maloofs do not stop at basketball and skateboarding, as their sporting imprint can be found in the
NHL as producers of the league’s annual year-end awards banquet at the Palms as well as serving as hosts of
numerous major mixed martial events at both the Palms and Power Balance Pavilion. Additionally, the family
was instrumental in spearheading Las Vegas’ successful bid to host the 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend. Having
also contributed to promoting several other sports over the years, including the WNBA, football, soccer, boxing,
and collegiate athletics, the Maloof family in 2007 was recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential People
in the World of Sports by BusinessWeek.
Celebrated Return to Professional Sports
The Maloof family’s interest in purchasing the Kings franchise originated in 1997 when they contacted then-
Managing General Partner Jim Thomas regarding the availability of the team and arena. On January 14, 1998,
the Maloofs completed the purchase of a minority limited partnership in the organization’s franchises (Kings
and WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs) and arena (then ARCO Arena). Although both the Kings and Monarchs
suffered through subpar seasons in 1997-98, the Maloofs continued their pursuit of primary ownership and
on January 15, 1999, subsequently purchased controlling interest, effective July 1, 1999. The NBA Board of
Governors unanimously approved the ownership transfer on May 7, 1999, in New York, at which time the
Board of Governors appointed Joe Maloof to the Board. The official closing of the ownership transaction took
place on July 1, 1999.
Their purchase of the Kings returned the Maloofs to the NBA after a 17-year absence during which the
family eagerly pursued an opportunity to rejoin the league. Owners of the Houston Rockets from 1979 through
1982, the Maloofs watched their Rockets rise to elite status, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in
the team’s history in 1981. In fact, Houston’s 1981 Finals appearance coupled with the Kings’ advancement
to the 2002 Western Conference Finals makes the Maloof family the only ownership group in NBA history to
take two different franchises to the Western Conference Finals.
Following the death of their father, George Maloof, Sr., in 1980, Joe and Gavin Maloof, who were only in
their mid-20’s at the time, took over responsibility for the Rockets along with their mother, Colleen, their two
younger brothers, George, Jr. and Phil, and their sister, Adrienne. The added responsibilities of continuing the
growth of the family business forced the Maloofs to sell the Rockets in 1982, but George Maloof’s original
passion for NBA basketball has remained with the family.
A 100-Year Model for Diversified Business Success
The Maloof Companies are a diversified group of business ventures including hotels, casinos, banking,
clothing, music, television and film production, food and beverage, and sports entertainment headquartered
in Las Vegas, Nev.
In 1994, the family invested in a small piece of property in North Las Vegas, building the quaint 30,000-square
foot, 100-room Fiesta Casino Hotel. After a pair of expansive renovations, the 75,000-square foot Fiesta became
one of the most profitable hotel casinos per square foot in the entire state of Nevada. In fact, in an August ‘99
edition of the USA Today, the Fiesta Casino Hotel was voted one of the world’s 10 greatest gambling destinations,
ranking with the likes of the Bellagio and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and the Trump Taj Mahal Casino
Resort in Atlantic City.
In July of 2000, the Maloof family sold their operating interest in the Fiesta Hotel Casino, and immediately
began construction of the Palms Hotel and Casino, which opened for business on November 15, 2001. Having
grown to three towers and 1,300 guest rooms (including Palms Place), the Palms features outstanding
customer service, unique architecture, and award-winning restaurants, entertainment, nightlife, and amenities,
and is one of the hottest properties in Las Vegas with thousands of visitors daily. Anchored by the 2,500-seat,
state-of-the-art Pearl concert theatre, the Palms has become an entertainment hotbed having hosted the 2007
MTV Video Music Awards, several World and US movie premiers (including Oceans 13), and numerous highprofile
musical and comedy acts. In 2007, the Palms also served as the participant and entertainer hotel for
the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities.
The Maloofs also are partners in Sweeping Palms Entertainment with 25/7 Productions. Sweeping Palms is
committed to developing and producing quality music, television and motion picture entertainment. Additionally,
the family has a marketing agreement to promote Black Star Beer, a double-hopped lager brewed at The
Great Northern Brewing Company in Whitefish, Montana.
The family’s latest venture comes off the heels of Adrienne Maloof’s sky-rocketing popularity from her two
seasons starring as a cast member on Bravo’s record-setting show, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Known
on the show for her strong business savvy, community service, and affinity for wearing the latest in fashion,
Adrienne has launched the Adrienne Maloof designer shoe collection by Charles Jourdan. Available at retailers
throughout the US, Adrienne’s marketing expertise has made the collection one of the best selling lines.
Colleen Maloof serves on the Board of Directors of the Maloof Companies. Joe Maloof is president of the
corporation and oversees the banking and sports and entertainment divisions, while Gavin Maloof is vice
chairman, also leading the sports and entertainment daily operation. George Maloof Jr., is an executive vice
president and heads the hotel division, Adrienne Maloof is the secretary/treasurer of the company, and Phil
Maloof is an executive vice president and the point person for Sweeping Palms Entertainment.
The Maloof family history in the United States dates back to 1892 when Joe Maloof I opened a small general
store in northern New Mexico. By the 1930’s, the Maloof family acquired the distribution rights to Coors Beer
and in 1937 subsequently established Quality Imports, a wholesale fine liquor distribution center. When Joe
Maloof I suffered a major heart attack in 1944, his son, George J. Maloof, left his studies at the University of
Colorado to assume responsibility of the Maloof Companies at the age of 21.
George J. Maloof successfully expanded the family business into a group of diversified companies, moving
into the hotel and banking sectors in the 1970’s. In 1978, responding to his love for sports and competition,
Maloof purchased the majority ownership of the Rockets. However, just two years later during the Rockets’
rise to the upper echelon of the NBA, Maloof passed away at the age of 57. His wife, Colleen, assumed control
of the entire Maloof operation and rather than selling off the company assets, she enlisted the assistance of
her five children. Under Colleen Maloof the family expanded their beer and liquor distribution operations and
later opened their first gaming property in 1992. From 1990 to 1992 the family also owned the Birmingham
Fire of the World League of American Football. More recently, the Maloofs owned the Sacramento Monarchs
from 1999 to 2009, guiding the franchise to nine playoff appearances, two Western Conference Championships,
and the 2005 WNBA title.
In the 100-plus years that have defined the Maloof Companies, customer service and a strong work ethic
combined with energy and vision are the qualities that have built this one-time general store into a business
model for diversified success. “From the days of my grandfather’s general store to our entire operation now,
the Maloof family business philosophy always has been centered around complete customer and employee
satisfaction. In Sacramento, the fans are our customers and providing a great experience for them is our
goal,” says Gavin Maloof.
Joseph Maloof is President of the Maloof Companies. Joe’s business
expertise and leadership qualities have helped enhance and diversify the
corporation’s growth since his father’s death in 1980.
Joe manages the Maloof Companies’ nearly 3,500 employees with an
open door policy, much like his father did more than 30 years ago. He also
believes in treating customers in a first-class manner and with the utmost
respect, and is often seen talking and listening to the fans and customers
of the various family businesses.
“My father’s business philosophy of taking care of our customers and
employees was successful long ago, and all of us in the family have chosen
to manage with that same style,” states Joe.
His extensive expertise in management, sales, and marketing has been
invaluable during the company’s expansion into banking, hotels, sports
marketing, and gaming over the past 30 years. In May of 1999, he was appointed to the NBA Board
of Governors by Commissioner David Stern after the Maloof family was unanimously approved by the
Board to assume controlling interest of the Kings.
Like all of his family, Joe’s charitable efforts are an important aspect of his personal and professional
life. He has assisted countless community service groups through the years, including the Boys Club,
the University of New Mexico, the American GI Forum, the Airport Little League, and the League of Latin
American Citizens, to name just a few.
He has a passion for competition, stemming from his days as a prep and collegiate athlete. He was
MVP of his high school basketball team at Lawrenceville Prep School (Lawrenceville, N.J.), and was a
two-time letterwinner as a defensive back at the University of New Mexico, where he graduated in 1979
with a degree in business.
Joe resides in Sacramento less than two miles from Power Balance Pavilion. He enjoys working out
and hanging out with his dogs.
As Vice Chairman of Maloof Companies, Gavin Maloof assists in all
aspects of the family’s diversified business ventures while overseeing the
company’s sports and entertainment operation. He is dedicated to maintaining
and building the corporation’s national and international prominence
and spearheading a new era of growth for the company.
Although Gavin is relatively young in terms of professional sports and
entertainment ownership, his experience is extensive. Following the death
of his father, George J. Maloof, Sr., in 1980, Gavin was named president
of the Houston Rockets at the age of 24, making him the youngest owner
and operator in major professional sports history. The Rockets enjoyed immediate
success under Gavin’s leadership, advancing to the NBA Finals for
the first time in franchise history in 1981. With the likes of Moses Malone,
Calvin Murphy, and Elvin Hayes, the Rockets qualified for postseason play
in all three seasons under the Maloof family ownership.
In addition to his front office management with the Rockets, Gavin also served as team president
during the Maloof’s tenure as owners of the Birmingham Fire of the World League of American Football
(WLAF) from 1990-92.
Gavin has always placed an importance on his community service work. Over the years he has served
on the board of directors for several charitable causes, including those focusing on the well-being of
children.
An active sports fan and participant, Gavin was an outstanding football player at the New Mexico
Military Institute in Roswell, N.M., and at Trinity University in San Antonio. He graduated from Trinity
in 1979 with a speech and communications degree. Last year he was inducted into the New Mexico
Military Institute Hall of Fame as one of the school’s most successful graduates, an honor bestowed on
only a handful of people in the school’s long history.
Gavin resides in Sacramento less than two miles from Power Balance Pavilion. He enjoys playing
golf in his spare time.
Chair of the Board, Maloof Companies
Trustee for the Estate of George J. Maloof
Colleen J. Maloof is chair of the board of the Maloof companies and trustee for the estate of George J.
Maloof. Throughout the key years that George Maloof built the Maloof Companies into the largest group
of family-owned enterprises in New Mexico, Colleen was an instrumental partner in their prosperity.
Faced with the challenge of carrying on the family tradition of success after her husband's passing, she
has grown the Maloof Companies as never before.
Colleen Maloof is a major force behind the family's continued strength and the Maloof's corporate and
civic leadership. She is a leader in her community and has received a number of honors and awards,
including the Associated Students of University of New Mexico Award for Dedication and Service,
Mexican-American Foundation of America Women of the Year Award, and the Image de Albuquerque
Award, which was presented to the Maloof family for their significant contributions to Hispanic business
development.
Colleen has played a pivotal role in developing the "Maloof style" managerial skills of her children,
Joe, Gavin, George Jr., Phil, and Adrienne. She has worked to ensure that company policies and practices
remain true to the family motto, "The Customer is King."
Adhering to his father's policy of learning the family business "from the
ground up," George J. Maloof, Jr. has successfully established himself as
an innovator in the hotel and gaming industries.
George is the leading force behind the building and operation of the
hottest property in Las Vegas, the Palms, which is owned by the Maloof
family, and has become one of the most sought-after destinations in the
entertainment capital of the world.
As Chairman of Maloof Hotels since 1989, George has overseen the
operation of hotels throughout the Southwest and California, including the
Fiesta Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, the Central Palace Casino in Central City,
Colorado, and the Palms.
George has very strong ties to the Las Vegas community. He is a UNLV
alumnus, where he received his bachelor's degree in business administration
(hotel management) in 1987.
In addition to his work in the gaming industry, George is also a member of the Patriarchal Order of
the Holy Cross of Jerusalem and the Las Vegas Chapter of Legatus.
Adrienne Maloof-Nassif is co-owner of Maloof Companies, which include the Sacramento Kings; The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas; Maloof Productions; Maloof Music; and Maloof Money Cup, a professional skateboard park franchise and competition event. As head of Marketing and Promotions for the Maloof brands, Adrienne has utilized her innate creativiy and marketing prowess to successfully advance Maloof Companies' many interests across multiple entertainment platforms.
Renowned for her business acumen, Adrienne received her first lessons in business from her father and entrepreneur George J. Maloof, Sr. From an early age, George Sr.—who owned a number of enterprises, including the Houston Rockets—groomed his children to become business leaders, introducing them to his hotel, trucking and banking businesses in their formative years.
After receiving her degree in political science from the University of New Mexico—where, as one of the country's top tennis players, she received a full scholarship—Adrienne worked in Sales, Advertising and Marketing for the family's liquor and wine business. In that role, Adrienne was responsible for all sales and promotion of Gallo Wines, expanding the look and appeal of the brand. After a few years of success in this part of the business, Adrienne's role in the Maloof Companies organically took an integrated role into all aspects of the Maloof industries.
For over two decades, Adrienne has led Marketing and Promotions for numerous facets of the Maloof family business—both past and present. Her approach to marketing is one focused on ensuring that her customers feel a 'personal touch' during every interaction with the Maloof brands. In addition to traditional marketing, Adrienne is also developing and producing numerous films and several reality shows to be released next year for Maloof Productions.
Philanthropic work is one of Adrienne's many passions. Due to her love and concern for animals and children, Adrienne joined forces with the Sacramento SPCA to serve as an honorary spokesperson. Her financial contributions allowed the SPCA to complete a new shelter in February of 2002 and develop the Adrienne Maloof Camp Kindness program, which allows underprivileged youth to learn the proper care and handling of animals. Her Camp Kindness program was so successful in Sacramento that she is currently in the process of developing a similar program for the Los Angeles SPCA. Additionally, Adrienne also endorses School on Wheels, a nonprofit aimed at enhancing the educational opportunities for homeless children from kindergarten through 12th grade; and the Good News Foundation, a group geared to promoting the good works of non-profit community organizations.
Adrienne presently lives in Beverly Hills, California with her husband, Dr. Paul Nassif, and their three sons.
Phil Maloof is an executive vice president with Maloof Companies and
the point person for the family's newest business ventures, Maloof Productions
and Maloof Music.
A former senator for the state of New Mexico, Phil was one of the youngest
elected officials in the country, appointed to the New Mexico State Senate
following the election of Mayor Martin Chavez, and subsequently re-elected
to a full four-year term from his west Albuquerque district in 1996, before
running for U.S. Congress in 2000.
Phil was known for his tough stance on crime while representing New
Mexico, becoming the first state senator in the country to sponsor the Three
Strikes, You're Out law, in addition to helping pass several bills aimed at
improving school funding.
An outstanding all-around athlete, Phil played quarterback collegiately at New Mexico State, before earning his post-secondary degree from the University of New Mexico.
Phil resides in Las Vegas and also has a home in Los Angeles, where he works to develop Maloof
Productions and the Maloof Music label. In addition, he assists in the other Maloof family businesses,
including the Sacramento Kings and the Palms hotel and casino property. He enjoys playing basketball
and traveling in his spare time.
From exhilarating wins to clutch jumpers and vicious dunks, find out where your favorite play ranked in the fan-selected 2011-12 Ultimate Kings Top 10! 
