The Maloof family is a prominent American family based in Las Vegas, Nevada, who are owners of numerous business properties in the Western United States. The original spelling of the family name is Maalouf. The family is of Lebanese descent via their paternal grandfather. Originally from New Mexico, the family's success began with the distribution rights for Coors Brewing Company in the Southwest region of the US in 1937. The Maloofs were the owners of the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1998 until 2013 and are minority owners of the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). Notable family members include George J. Maloof Sr., Adrienne Maloof, and George J. Maloof Jr. Sports The family owned the NBA's Sacramento Kings from 1998 until 2013. The Maloofs acquired a minority interest in the Kings in 1998 and took majority control the following year, with Joe and Gavin operating the franchise. As part of the purchase of the Kings, they also acquired the team's sister franchise in the WNBA, the Sacramento Monarchs. The Maloofs operated the Monarchs until 2009, when the WNBA was unable to find a new owner and the team folded. In 2013, the family sold its 65% stake for $347 million to a Sacramento group led by Vivek Ranadive that was committed to building a new arena in downtown Sacramento that had previously been rebuked by the Maloofs. Prior to the sale of the team, a deal had been reached to sell the Kings to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and investor Chris Hansen, who hoped to move the team to Seattle. This sale was nullified on May 15, 2013, when the NBA Board of Governors denied the relocation in a vote of 22-8. The Maloof family also owned the Houston Rockets from 1979-1982, and the Rockets made the NBA Finals in 1981 before the team was sold to Charlie Thomas in 1982. The Maloofs are also the minority owners of the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL, who made it to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. Las Vegas In 1994, the Maloof family opened the Fiesta Rancho hotel-casino in North Las Vegas, and sold it in 2000 for over $185 million. The money was reinvested into the creation of the Palms Casino Resort hotel and casino. The Maloofs sold their beer distribution in an unsuccessful attempt to save the Palms