*Wow. This is a damn shame. What could’ve been.
Former NBA (Phoenix Suns) player Kevin Johnson is putting a cap on his time as the mayor of Sacramento by not seeking re-election for the position in 2016.
In an emailed statement to the Sacramento Bee on Tuesday (Oct. 20), Johnson announced his intention to not seek another term in office, a decision that came after “much thought and soul searching.”
“[A]fter much thought and soul-searching, I have decided not to run for a third term,” the two-term mayor wrote and later tweeted.
“[Not seeking re-election] was an incredibly difficult choice, but one that I feel confident about.”
According to The Huffington Post, Johnson’s decision comes just four weeks after feature story that was published on Deadspin surfaced, which touched on Johnson’s reported sexual abuse of then high schooler Mandi Koba two decades ago. In addition, the site managed to get its hands on and run a video of an interview Koba conducted with police in 1996 police interview.
Since Deadspin’s article and video surfaced, Johnson found himself again under public scrutiny and subjected to questions about the molestation case. In addition, ESPN ended up pulling it’s “30 for 30” documentary on the athlete-turned-politician on Tuesday, the same day Johnson announced he would not seek a third term. The film was scheduled to be released on Tuesday night.
Johnson’s stint as mayor is marked by his successful battle to keep the Sacramento Kings in town, HuffPost noted, adding that the effort resulted in the creation of a new $507 million arena that’s currently being built in downtown Sacramento and was prominently featured in the ESPN film.
Prior to becoming mayor in in 2008, Johnson made a noticeable impact on the basketball court as a point guard for the Phoenix Suns and a three-time NBA All-Star.
Less than a decade after retiring from the NBA, Johnson transitioned into his role as mayor. Recalling his time in office, Johnson ended his statement with an allusion of more to come from him
“I leave this job humbled by the opportunity and honor of serving my community,” he stated. “I leave knowing that my relationship with and work on behalf of the city is far from over.”
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