10:41 am August 7, 2011, by Michael Cunningham
The AJC’s Tim Tucker reports that L.A. businessman Alex Meruelo is set to buy a controlling stake in the Hawks and the operating rights for Philips Arena. The deal is subject to approval by the NBA Board of Governors.
Meruelo is not allowed to comment on his specific plans for the Hawks or the team’s personnel because he’s not yet been approved as owner and also because of the lockout. But Meruelo did tell Tucker that although some members of the Atlanta Spirit ownership group would remain as minority partners, “I will be in complete control of the team.”
Meruelo told Tucker there is no circumstance in which he would seek to move the team from Atlanta and that he planned to be a “hands-on” owner like he is in his other business ventures. Meruelo’s career in business began with a chain of pizza restaurants and his portfolio eventually grew to include real estate holdings, a bank, a casino and a television station.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
Coverage of Atlanta’s NBA franchise from AJC Hawks beat writer Chris Vivlamore
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August 7th, 2011
11:19 pm
4,3,2,1 Matty meldown@#$%^&*(________________________-
EmirS.
August 8th, 2011
12:11 am
Nice.
Can’t wait for the 2012-2113 season now!
Grandad
August 8th, 2011
3:01 am
Hatter;
Satan…really ?
vava74
August 8th, 2011
4:51 am
Looks a solid owner.
But… the drawback is that he’s a guy to whom Al will be able to complain in spanish that he does not want to play C…
O'Brien
August 8th, 2011
8:03 am
Wassup dmb,
Spending the money was not the problem for the ASG, as evidenced by our top 10 payroll. The problem was spending the money wisely, and bringing in the right people.
I hope Mr. Meruelo will hire some good basketball minds, and get out the way.
bitter "B" ball fan
August 8th, 2011
8:21 am
it keeps getting better, god help us—–pizza and a halks game—the state of owners in the ATL
have bottom out—————–who gives a f——-anymore—i only support collage sports and the
rome braves———pro sports are only about the owners making money and using the cities name sake———————–the fans are truly the suckers
————————————–at least money made at the collage level goes to higher learning
——————————-and the kids at class A ball in rome do try hard.
==================pro sports —bha hum bug===============
drmaryb.(*_*).
August 8th, 2011
8:33 am
Hope Springs Eternal!
O’Brien
August 8th, 2011
8:03 am
___________________
Boy have I missed your comments! (she winks).
Co-Sign your post:
“The most successful men in business, hire the right people and allow them to do their jobs.”
-arthur unknown-
One can only hope that Mr. Murelo embraces this basic philosophy. The way Mr. Blank has learned to do with The Falcons.
Astro Joe
August 8th, 2011
8:58 am
Yeah, let’s hope that he models himself out of the RIGHT owner in LA… Buss and NOT Sterling. Only time will tell.
vava74
August 8th, 2011
9:00 am
“hands on approach” means that Meruelo will look to have the first all hispanic starting five in the league.
vava74
August 8th, 2011
9:20 am
And will change the name to “Hotlanta Burritos”
Where's the Logic?
August 8th, 2011
10:17 am
“If we American people ever allow monopoly banking to control the issue of currency, first by inflation and then by deflation, these banks and bureaucracies that will grow up around them will deprive we, the people of all our property until our children will wake up homeless on the continent which God gave us for stewardship.”
~ Thomas Jefferson
“Mission Accomplished!” bubba jr/bummer sr
I’ll take a Burrito and a Tequila please…
terrell
August 8th, 2011
11:17 am
Now go get us a GM AND A Coach.
Where's the Logic?
August 8th, 2011
11:40 am
fire sale?
Astro Joe
August 8th, 2011
12:43 pm
I wouldn’t get too excited about any short term massive changes. If dude is buying into the NBA pre-CBA, then clearly Stern has led him (and the new Pistons owner) into believing that they won’t settle for a deal that won’t virtually guarantee profitability for all owners. That likely means a reduced salary structure. The Hawks don’t have much flexibility and even if they did, there aren’t many elite free agents available this summer. That doesn’t mean nothing will change, but I wouldn’t hold out hope for this guy to be holding the golden trpohy in his first year as an owner.
Ray
August 8th, 2011
1:18 pm
Hey guys I’m back
I was just on ESPN they were talking about this as their headline.
From one thing the 5 people that were writing the story are saying that Jeff Teague should start straight up.
From what I can also gather it’s a mixed bag on letting Jamal Crawford walk plus it’s also a mixed bag with trading Josh Smith.
I’ve already said my statements on both I think Jamal should walk and Josh should stay. As bad as we pound on Josh Smith for jacking up jumpers he’s not the one that really loses us the games.
Worldwide Clyde
August 8th, 2011
1:37 pm
FIRE SUND
Ray
August 8th, 2011
2:05 pm
This I can agree with, but the only thing is who do you replace him with that’s the first thing we need to find out.
A Hit..
August 8th, 2011
2:36 pm
Trade Al and Marvin ASAP! Keep Josh! He’s the more talented of this group….
“Enthusiastic Co-Sign! I was against the ordinance for fining young men who wore their pants on the ground – UNTIL:
I left the confines of the suburbs in Roswell, GA yesterday and trekked over to South West Atlanta. I went to The Pearl Bistro next to Greenbriar Mall for the first and last time. While eating dinner with some new friends, I looked up and saw a THUG leaned over the bar and his pants were belted underneath his butt cheeks. All up in my face was his azz covered in gray cotton under-roos and his butt crack clearly defined!
I’m a beautiful young black woman, who had NEVER seen such a disgusting display of disrespect for others in public!
I nearly barfed, became enraged and simply left to head back to the suburbs, where I don’t have to see that ISH!
I will NEVER go to SWATS again! NEVER!
I now, fully support the ordinance. As a matter of fact? The ordinance is not strong enough. These THUGS should be arrested for indecent exposure! (smdh)”
drmaryb, most of these dudes are probably under cover or on the down low! Why else would they show their butt crack in public? To advertise desert for tonight?
A Hit..
August 8th, 2011
2:39 pm
Bring back Billy Knight so he can correct his mistakes!
Grandad
August 8th, 2011
3:29 pm
Ray;
I agree that Josh is -Not- the problem:
r e *[spew hater aid on the Josh fans]
as I continually say::
” I Like Josh ”
If people had examined any of my disquisition;
they would know that !
Sorry Ray;
I got off topic for a sec.
My feelings remain;
Joe is the larger problem.
[not so much his contract - *currently]
But, his refusal to adapt to a team oriented offense;
plus, his inability to understand that;
” to the one superfluous $ are given – a whole bunch is required ”
[paraphrase].
*Defense, Hustle Plays, Leadership (at least by example), etc.
Grandad
August 8th, 2011
3:34 pm
If that’s not you ” Hat ” – my apologies.
To the original – ” Wingnut ” [code-name] :
I hope all is well ! How's your daughter ?
Grandad
August 8th, 2011
3:37 pm
Wing-nut;
How is your daughter doing ?
(that sounds more resspectful)
sincerely, G-dad
Grandad
August 8th, 2011
3:39 pm
*respectful
note – the blog’s been down so long, I can’t spell anymore.
drmaryb.(*_*).
August 8th, 2011
11:45 pm
Troll Alert!
I didn’t post those last two comments on here.
__________________
So, Let’s Go Hawks!
Buddy Grizzard
August 9th, 2011
7:04 am
Can’t believe people trolling the true blognoscenti like G-Dad and dmb. Ya’ll like school on summer vacation… no class.
I got two words for ya’ll and you heard it here first.
Dennis
Lindsey
He is the assistant general manager of the San Antonio Spurs, the best-run organization in professional sports. The last understudy of Spurs GM R.C. Buford to get his own GM job? Sam Presti of the OKC Thunder. Need I say more? Hire him now before Toronto has a chance to steal him just like they stole the coach we should have had (Dwayne Casey).
Hawks are going to live to regret not getting Lawrence Frank as well. Obviously in a dream come true, Dennis Lindsey would hire Rick Adelman. But if we can just get Lindsey I will trust him to find the right coach.
drmaryb.(*_*).
August 9th, 2011
8:08 am
That’s right! Stay away you mean trollies!!
All I care about is BIG BURLY MUSCULAR MANY MEN!!
Dwayne
August 9th, 2011
11:52 am
He bought the rights to all things Thrashers…here is hoping for a return of hockey to Atlanta. With a owner who wants a championship, I’d start going to Hawks games again…one can wish.