Print view
Mon Nov 11, 2019 2:00 pm
|
ATLANTA -- The mayor has already heard from plenty of potential buyers for the Atlanta Hawks. New England Patriots Store . And the city is ready to kick in a hefty sum to make the deal happen. Flanked by Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins and other city leaders, Mayor Kasim Reed said Tuesday he expects the sale of the team to move briskly after racially charged comments by owner Bruce Levenson and general manager Danny Ferry. "I have had conversations with no less than six prospective buyers," Reed said during a City Hall news conference. "All six of those prospective buyers will have to go through a process to be vetted by the NBA. That process is going to occur very quickly." The Hawks have been under fire since it was revealed Levenson sent an email two years ago theorizing that many suburban whites would not attend NBA games because of the teams African-American fans. He agreed to sell his share of the team, but it also emerged that Ferry had disparaged then-free agent Luol Deng on a conference call with team owners this past summer, saying he "has a little African in him." Ferry has taken an indefinite leave of absence. The NBA, meanwhile, is left to deal with another embarrassing case after stripping the Los Angeles Clippers from longtime owner Donald Sterling. He was forced out for telling his girlfriend on a secretly recorded audio not to bring black fans to his games. Reed said he plans to meet with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Sept. 26 in New York to discuss the sale of the Hawks. According to the mayor, the league is already lining up an investment bank to look into the finances of any potential buyer. "I think were going to end up in a superior position, based on everything we know today, than we were before," Reed said. He didnt identify the prospective buyers, but whoever steps in would apparently have majority ownership. Levenson owns 24 per cent of the team, and his Washington partner, Ed Peskowitz, has also agreed to sell his share, meaning that 50.1 per cent of the team is now available, Reed said. In addition, Reed said the city will likely be willing to offer concessions to any new owner to ensure the Hawks commit to remaining in Atlanta for another 30 years. He said there could be as much as $150 million available after the city sells Turner Field, the current home of the Braves, though the mayor said that process has been held up by the baseball teams refusal to negotiate terms for its departure. The Braves are planning to move to a new stadium in suburban Cobb County in 2017. Team spokeswoman Beth Marshall said the Braves arent required to notify the stadium authority of its plans until Dec. 31, 2015, but added, "It is our hope to be able to work with them, the city of Atlanta and Fulton County, on negotiating an exit so they can best prepare for the future of the Turner Field site." In the meantime, Reed said the city would be heavily involved in efforts to find new ownership for the Hawks, since it is responsible for the debt on 15-year-old Philips Arena. Wilkins, a former Hawks star who now serves as a team vice-president and television commentator, said he would "absolutely" be interested in taking on a greater role with the franchise. The city already plans to honour him with a statue outside Philips Arena before a March 6 game against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Reed said city leaders would look favourably on Wilkins involvement with any new ownership group, especially if it gives the team more diversity in the front office. Hawks CEO Steve Koonin has refused calls to fire Ferry, saying he believes the general manager can learn from the experience. Ferry met privately Monday with civil rights leaders, hoping to mend fences within the city, and has said he will undergo sensitivity training during his leave. But Ferrys future is still very much in doubt, with the start of training camp only two weeks away. Wilkins would neither endorse Ferry nor call for him to be ousted, knowing that any decision about the general manager will likely rest with the new owner. "Thats not a choice I can make," Wilkins said. "The only thing I can say is whatever pieces are put in place are going to be the right pieces to help our franchise heal from what weve been through." Custom New England Patriots Jerseys . In Englands first game since its worst-ever World Cup showing, Roy Hodgsons side rarely looked like scoring against unambitious opposition and the breakthrough in the friendly only came when Raheem Sterling was tripped in the penalty area. New England Patriots Shirts . - The Washington Redskins have signed free agent offensive lineman Mike McGlynn. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/ .com) - They didnt meet in the regular season, so Sam Houston State might be saying it won the de facto title game between the two Southland Conference co-champions Saturday.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Last week, Bills rookie receiver Sammy Watkins complained how all anyone in Buffalo wanted to focus on was the teams 14-season playoff drought.Make that 15, Sammy.Bills players young and old are dealing with the all-too-familiar frustrations of being on the outside looking in Monday, a day after extending the NFLs longest active playoff drought following a 26-24 loss at Oakland.As a player whos always been to the playoffs, whos never lost over eight games, it hurts, Watkins said. Im not used to losing. And hopefully, we fix it next year and get back on the right page.Buffalos drought is now tied as the NFLs 10th longest, and worst since the St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals went 15 years between playoff appearances from 1983-97.At least Watkins had a chance to crack a smile Monday. The first-round draft pick spoke while joining fellow rookies on a visit to Buffalos Womens and Childrens Hospital to deliver Christmas gifts and make holiday crafts.It hurts to lose the game, but its very important to wake up and start the day and come here and impact other peoples lives, he said. So I looked forward to just getting out of bed and not looking back on the game. Its over with.The Bills (8-7) are left playing a mean-nothing finale (for them) at AFC East rival New England (12-3) on Sunday.All thats on the line for Buffalo is an opportunity to win its first game at New England since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002, and finish with a winning record for the first time since going 9-7 in 2004.The loss to the Raiders (3-12) was a stunner, and exposed many of Buffalos season-long deficiencies on offence.It just breaks your heart, quarterback Kyle Orton said. It was all there. We just didnt have the execution. And in the end, it cost us.The slow-starting offence managed just 10 points and 145 yards on its firsst 10 possessions. Wholesale Patriots Jerseys. It closed by generating two touchdowns and 166 yards on its last four drives in a rally that fell short.That wasnt enough to overcome an uncharacteristically sloppy outing by a usually stingy defence.After not giving up a touchdown pass against Denvers Peyton Manning and Green Bays Aaron Rodgers in its previous two games, Buffalo allowed Raiders rookie Derek Carr to throw two.There really arent any words for how disappointed I am just with myself and the way we played in general, safety Aaron Williams said. We just let it slip away.The offence provided little help.On 13 carries, Buffalo managed 13 yards, the fourth-lowest total in team history.The ground game has sputtered all season in having managed 1,378 yards through 15 games. The Bills low for a 16-game season is 1,552 set in 2006.Coach Doug Marrone blamed the offensive line.They kicked our butt up front, Marrone said. When you do that, its difficult to run, pass and do a lot of things.The loss renewed questions regarding Marrones job security after his second season. The franchise is entering a new era under owners Terry and Kim Pegula, who purchased the team in October.The Pegulas previously expressed a desire to wait until after the season to evaluate the franchise so as not to distract the team.After beating Green Bay last week, Bills President Russ Brandon voiced his support for Marrone by saying the coach has the team on the right path. Following the loss at Oakland, Marrone insisted hes not going anywhere when asked about a report linking him to the vacancy at Michigan.I have nothing to do with that job, Marrone said. Youre stuck with me. Fortunately or unfortunately.___AP Sports Writer Josh Dubow in Oakland, California, contributed to this report.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' ' |
|
reply
