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Post by WHA on Aug 7, 2011 17:23:37 GMT -5
The Atlanta situation is now complete!
Hawks to be sold to L.A. businessman
By SPORTS NETWORK
Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson (R) drives around Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng in the second half of their Eastern Conference semifinals NBA basketball game in Atlanta, Georgia May 8, 2011. REUTERS file photo
Atlanta, GA - Los Angeles businessman Alex Meruelo has reportedly reached an agreement to purchase a majority stake in the Atlanta Hawks.
Meruelo gave an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which reported Sunday that the Hawks are expected to announce the transaction on Monday.
The deal would include the rights to Philips Arena and is subject to approval from the NBA Board of Governors.
Meruelo is the founder of a group that owns a range of companies, including a chain of pizza restaurants, construction firms, a casino and a television station. The 48-year-old son of Cuban immigrants would become the first Hispanic owner of an NBA team.
According to the Journal-Constitution, Meruelo would own more than 50 percent of the franchise and the Atlanta Spirit Group would maintain a share of the club.
"I will be in complete control of the team," Meruelo told the paper, although he did not divulge the purchase price.
Despite his Los Angeles roots, Meruelo plans to keep the Hawks in Atlanta.
The sale would be the second this year for the Atlanta Spirit Group, which sold the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers to Canadian group True North Sports & Entertainment that moved the franchise to Winnipeg.
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Post by Conky on Aug 7, 2011 18:33:10 GMT -5
Nah, he'll end up moving them to anaheim or seattle either or
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Post by pank on Aug 7, 2011 19:28:45 GMT -5
I read an article a little while ago that Joe Johnson's contract was the main thing that lead to the fighting amongst the owners-essentially causing the legal battle that took any of the little interest they had in the Thrashers.
I plan on rewarding the small role Joe Johnson may have played in returning the NHL to Winnipeg by picking him on my next fantasy basketball team.
Funny though that it was said that they wanted to devote more attention to the NBA...I guess ASG just couldn't run a sports organization.
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Post by roosta604 on Aug 7, 2011 20:08:22 GMT -5
I read an article a little while ago that Joe Johnson's contract was the main thing that lead to the fighting amongst the owners-essentially causing the legal battle that took any of the little interest they had in the Thrashers. I plan on rewarding the small role Joe Johnson may have played in returning the NHL to Winnipeg by picking him on my next fantasy basketball team.Funny though that it was said that they wanted to devote more attention to the NBA...I guess ASG just couldn't run a sports organization. Lmao nice
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Post by kj79 on Aug 7, 2011 20:33:55 GMT -5
I doubt they'll move the team because the bought controlling interest in the arena.
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Post by gilligan on Aug 7, 2011 22:14:58 GMT -5
Fitting that this wraps up right when this site is wrapping up.
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Post by bannedana204 on Aug 7, 2011 23:42:48 GMT -5
Joe Johnson is the most hispanic name I\'ve personally ever heard.
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Post by mikecubs on Aug 8, 2011 0:34:47 GMT -5
Nah, he'll end up moving them to anaheim or seattle either or Atlanta won't move. The arena would be worthless without the team and the Hawks are not worthy of being moved like the Thrashers were. I doubt anyone goes to Anaheim. Look at the fight the Lakers and Clippers put up last spring. The only teams possibly moving is Sacramento due to Arco Arena, and New Orleans(they are owned by the league since no local buyer could be found ala Montreal Expos) My guess is the mayor of Sacramento folds and gives the Kings a huge handout of public $$$$. New Orleans will move to Seattle when they get a new arena. New Orleans star player Chris Paul is leaving next summer in free agency. This will be the last nail in the coffin.
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Post by Conky on Aug 8, 2011 2:04:26 GMT -5
Nah, he'll end up moving them to anaheim or seattle either or Atlanta won't move. The arena would be worthless without the team and the Hawks are not worthy of being moved like the Thrashers were. I doubt anyone goes to Anaheim. Look at the fight the Lakers and Clippers put up last spring. The only teams possibly moving is Sacramento due to Arco Arena, and New Orleans(they are owned by the league since no local buyer could be found ala Montreal Expos) My guess is the mayor of Sacramento folds and gives the Kings a huge handout of public $$$$. New Orleans will move to Seattle when they get a new arena. New Orleans star player Chris Paul is leaving next summer in free agency. This will be the last nail in the coffin. When you saw my name, the first thing that comes to your mind is Montreal expos?
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Post by mikecubs on Aug 8, 2011 4:16:55 GMT -5
No, your a good guy. I wouldn't associate you or anyone on here with something like that:) Just trying to give info on the NBA. I'm sorry if you took offense. It wasn't meant as a shot.
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Post by jmt21 on Aug 8, 2011 8:42:42 GMT -5
someone on the HF boards is claiming that 4 of these pizza stores recently closed in San Pedro as they were "fronts" for drug activity.
Couldn't find anything to back it up on the net.
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