Atlanta Spirit settles lawsuit — this can only be good news
The Atlanta Spirit ownership group has seldom been one big happy family.
The Atlanta Spirit just took a significant step forward. They’re out of the courtroom.
Can world peace be far away?
The long-battling owners of the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers announced in a brief statement that their lawsuit involving Steve Belkin and the other partners has been settled. There is no mention of Belkin or terms of the settlement in the statement.
The entire release:
SETTLEMENT REACHED IN OWNERSHIP LAWSUIT
Atlanta, GA, December 22, 2010 – The lawsuit among the owners of the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers has been settled. Terms of the settlement are confidential. Going forward, Michael Gearon and Bruce Levenson will serve as managing partners of the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers and Philips Arena.
The Spirit has seemed doom almost from the time the group officially purchased the Hawks, Thrashers and operating rights to Philips Arena in March of 2004 from Turner Broadcasting. The major split, between Belkin and the other owners (led by Michael Gearon Jr. and Bruce Levenson), occurred after the Hawks acquired Joe Johnson from the Phoenix Suns in 2005 over the objections of Belkin. The sides have been embroiled in litigation ever since, primarily over how much it would take for Belkin to be bought out of the ownership group.
Now that this is settled, it at least opens the door to front office matters in the two organizations being run more smoothly.
The Thrashers, in particular, have been hamstrung financially. They have the NHL’s lowest payroll and the Spirit has been seeking to bring in either a new partner or sell the club outright, which has fueled rumors of the club being moved.
The ownership has been such a mess that even NHL commissioner Gary Bettman took the Spirit to task, telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last February: “Ultimately, the ownership situation has to be straightened out. It’s difficult to operate a franchise when owners aren’t getting along. It’s even more difficult in a recession climate. A team has to be at its very best. Issues have to be resolved and everybody has to be together so they can interact with fans. But that’s difficult when the owners aren’t together.”
When a league commissioner calls you out, you’ve got issues.
The Spirit owners could never understand — or at least would never admit publicly — why they’ve been subjected to so much criticism over the past six and a half years. The reason is simple: Fans want their sports teams’ owners who are passionate and want to win as much as they do, and who give the impression that they know what they’re doing.
When owners are suing each other, it obviously sends a different message.
Now that they’re out of the courtroom, the remaining members of the Atlanta Spirit need to go about trying to repair some of the damage they’ve inflicted during their tenure. But if they don’t succeed right away, maybe it’s because there are more than a few bridges that need repairing.
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Last 3 posts, now in high-def
– Roddy White battles Saints, Trent Dilfer via Twitter (final update)
– Richt looking forward to putting Dogs’ season behind him
– NFL MVP race: Vick and Brady are even (Ryan, White close behind)
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92 comments Add your comment
Herschel Talker
December 22nd, 2010
7:51 pm
Schultzie:
When do pitchers and catchers report?
HT
some sense
December 22nd, 2010
7:52 pm
Still a clown show. Belkin was right re. Joe Johnson.
David McDavid
December 22nd, 2010
7:58 pm
When can we start negotiating a sales price?
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 22nd, 2010
8:00 pm
Great now sell the teams or move them out of atlanta. The MAJORITY of the sports public in the Metro Area not care or want to support either of these sports muchless these teams.
D A Double U G
December 22nd, 2010
8:04 pm
POAD,
We FINALLY agree on something.
I for one am sad to see that things may have taken a turn for the better for the future of Atlanta NBA and Hockey. I figured the longer this would drag out, the more likely LAs Vegas would take our NBA team from us, and some unknown Canadian city could have taken the Thrashers so they could have had real fan-support for a change. Ho hum……
And POAD, just so you know, we are NOT friends because we agreed on something. THIS is what I think of your JV teams “mighty” Triple Option……. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KDrPUcUsFY
42-34
D A Double U G
December 22nd, 2010
8:06 pm
Herschel Talker….. Valentine’s Day, sir.
We'llTakeGoodNews
December 22nd, 2010
8:13 pm
To be a major league city – and not just a college football city – Atlanta needs both the NBA and NHL. The teams will be supported if we get a competitive product. This at least clears one major obstacle to make that happen. So, the complainers above – who only want college sports apparently – are free to keep warm tonight wrapped in their SEC/ACC blankets. Meanwhile, the Thrashers are a game out of 1st place and one of the most exciting teams in the NHL – with two straight games that were near sellouts.
Three Ring Circus
December 22nd, 2010
8:13 pm
Their dispute is only rivaled by the bickering on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”.
Cletus Dooley Earnhardt SR.
December 22nd, 2010
8:15 pm
WhO carez aboot theese forraign sportts suchs as hookey and basebetball. We thee city oof Geoorgia onlly cayre aboot ONE SPURT! Annd sinnce evveryone inn thiss townn is a whiite mayle repubblican, i cann safeely speakk for us ann say, UGA FOOOTBALL and noothing ellse. We havee a one trackk minedd down here, onnly havee lovve for FOOOTBALL!
-GO UGA!
Former Atlanta Flames Ticketholder
December 22nd, 2010
8:16 pm
I’d like to see an ownership change as well for the Thrashers, with them staying here, of course.
Someone like Arthur Blank would do.
Chief Wiggum
December 22nd, 2010
8:20 pm
I get the impression that Belkin wanted to run it as a business. I think that in general, that rarely works, most sports franchises are about the owner’s ego, and spending too much on talent has become a way of life for them. I went to a Thrashers game once, free tickets, and I know that if I actually had to have paid face value, I would have never done it. Not even half of face value. It’s vicious cycle, owners overpay for players, then overcharge the fans. When the fans get fed up, things will change, but then, I guess fans are about winning no matter the cost.
wxwax
December 22nd, 2010
8:21 pm
Buying out Belkin leaves them even shorter on money, one presumes.
So the fundamental problem plaguing the organization — it’s poor — remains.
Inspired leadership can overcome that. But as a pessimist, it seems to me that inspired leadership doesn’t usually come from a committee, it comes from an individual.
I’m glad the Spirit is local and is committed to keeping the teams here. But there’s a lot of work ahead of them.
Atlanta Fan
December 22nd, 2010
8:26 pm
DA Dbl U G…I guess you are pretty proud of UGA’s “great” season…and the memphis bowl? Good luck without AJ Green to throw to next year. And this is GOOD news. BUT only if they actually start paying attention to the teams. Hawks and Thrashers could use a REAL ownership group that cares. Though I guess that’s too much to ask for.
Oh and GO DIRTY BIRDS!! BEAT THAT AINT A$$!!
Tom Brady's Hair Cut
December 22nd, 2010
8:31 pm
I like all you toothless rednecks who say you don’t care but you are here posting.
All I'm Saying Is...
December 22nd, 2010
8:32 pm
Oh, heck yes this is GREAT NEWS! The anchor is gone as Beanhead Belkin is out and now we can get on with the real business at hand: a hard-driving playoff playing Thrasher bunch which finally has both a good coach and G.M. and a high-flying Hawks crew that will exceed expectations since their coach knows how to use the bench players.
LET’S GO HAWKS!
LET’S GO THRASHERS!
bob
December 22nd, 2010
8:35 pm
Too bad Belkin lost. A single owner with a vision. Let the mediocracy continue.
Brett
December 22nd, 2010
8:36 pm
It’s a Christmas miracle!
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 22nd, 2010
8:41 pm
Tom Brady you have never seen me post on a Thrashers or Hawks blog. This is Schultz blog and the subject was the Thrashers & Hawks. I post on many of Bradley’s and Schultz’s blogs. I used to go to Flames & Hawks games and I have been to Thrashers games, but I don’t care if these teams leave. I do not watch the NBA or NHL on TV either. Soccer on ice with fighting. I never played and it is not something I would spend money to go downtown to see. Loved Basketball and played it. Loved ACC Basketball, but in the last 15 or so years the game is not close to the game I played as a kid. I can’t stand most of the NBA players and their attitudes.
Timbo
December 22nd, 2010
8:41 pm
Belkin had it right all along.
D A Double U G
December 22nd, 2010
8:47 pm
Again, we agree POAD.
This must be a Christmas Miracle. The words coming from POAD are making sense.
And the rest of you, if being a UGA graduate makes me a toothless redneck, then i’ll be first in line to proudly buy dentures and shoot a deer. Man, you guys should try being one too. It’s a life that is quite dandy!!
GO DAWGS!!!!
kbb
December 22nd, 2010
8:49 pm
POAD, you dont like hockey because of the violence and dont like basketball because of the attitudes. But yet i BET your a fan of the NFL and where they try to kill each other and where they have the Pacman Jones, T.O.’s, Matt Jones, etc etc of the world who have some of the worst attitudes in sports. Just admit your a populist so we can move on
Tonyb
December 22nd, 2010
8:51 pm
Jeff, is this good news or bad news for the Thrashers? The team is rebuilding, and the fans are starting to come back. But, this is a group that has fawned over the Hawks, but has all but ignored the Thrashers. And now they must come up with 30 percent of the value of all three entities just to pay off Belkin. Will they sacrifice the Thrashers to keep the Hawks? And will Bettman let them do it
jcwhitingjr
December 22nd, 2010
8:57 pm
“soccer on ice”? You obviously don’t know what you are talking about.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 22nd, 2010
9:06 pm
kbb I didn’t say I don’t like Hockey because of the fights. I used to love to see Tom Lesik and Eric Vale bust some Butt. I just don’t enjoy spending money on it. I don’t like going downtown at night during the week to support the team. I know there are many bad NFL players too. I just don’t care for the majority of the NBA Stars Attitudes. I can agree that we disagree. If you don’t mind spending your money on tickets and going to the DANGER ZONE at night during the week, then by all means enjoy the NHL & NBA in Atlanta.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 22nd, 2010
9:08 pm
DA Double UG
It has to be because it is not about Tech & UGA sports, students, or education. HAHAHAHAHAHAAH
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 22nd, 2010
9:15 pm
Schultz
I am feeling bad. Bosie St isn’t looking great in this game. I was expecting a 20 point lead not a 4 point lead. I went until the last 15 minutes wanting to change to UTAH, but I didn’t. I hope it horks for me in the Sack Schultz game.
kbb
December 22nd, 2010
9:21 pm
So Centennial Park area where TOURIST walk around freely is a area that you as Atlantan (i presume) are too chicken to go to? OK dude. Man up, ive been to dozens of Thrashers/Hawks games and ive had no issues. Stop watching Monica Kaufman and leave the nest kid!
As far as the NBA attitudes thats an outdated argument besides Lebron James who is immature but has NEVER been a problem off the court here are the other top YOUNG stars:
Kevin Durant-great all around kid
Blake Griffin-stud, hard worker, seems to be a good guy
Rajon Rondo-intelligent clean cut, low key
Derrick Rose-quiet, stays out of trouble humble
Dwight Howard-all around good guy
Dude your stuck in the 90s when guys like Iverson, Marbury and Steve Francis dominated the league and turned off alot of fans. There are so many likable good natured guys in the league right now. But i know i wont change your mind and nor will you. I will continue to enjoy the Thrashers and Hawks AS WELL as the Braves and Falcons. I am a SPORTS FAN.
Matt Chernoff
December 22nd, 2010
9:21 pm
@ 5150 P.O.A.D.
“The Danger Zone?” Really?
Matt Chernoff
December 22nd, 2010
9:23 pm
@ kbb:
I couldn’t agree with you more, Sir.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 22nd, 2010
9:26 pm
College sports are boring. UGA, Ga Tech, who cares. Two JV teams within their own conferences, playing sports at a JV level. The pros are where it’s at.
Glad to see the DASG get this settled. I hope I never have to hear anything about them again, unless they decide to sell the Hawks to Arthur Blank.
BoLegs
December 22nd, 2010
9:28 pm
Man what a ugly group of men. Wish they would sell and get the He!! out of town.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 22nd, 2010
9:30 pm
Oh yeah, and the Georgia Dome is right next to Philips Arena. Nobody seems to have a problem filling that building up. So much for the so-called “danger zone”. Centennial Park is about as dangerous as a meadow full of tulips and bunnies.
BoLegs
December 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
5150, Bosie St will win by at least 20 or more points. Bet on it.
BoLegs
December 22nd, 2010
9:34 pm
Boise— sorry about spelling.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 22nd, 2010
9:36 pm
Downtown Atlanta after 10pm yes Danger Zone.
KBB I used to ride Sportbikes with the “Black Boys On Mopeds” in the late 80’s to mid 90’s. I’ve been to Mr V’s figure 8, BackStreets, 688, and Masqurade. I have never been afraid to be downtown. I now choose not to take the risks I used to take. No way in Hell I would take my family down to games during the week nights.
Georgia Hoo
December 22nd, 2010
9:52 pm
By all accounts, some of the owners have had difficulty in coming up with the cash required in the capital calls the past few years. So, how then are they coming up with the necessary cash to buy out Belkin? Even if they offset the cash price against money Belkin wasn’t putting in for his share of the calls, it’s still gotta be a pretty penny. And I wouldn’t think that Belkin offered financing terms.
gcs
December 22nd, 2010
9:53 pm
It’ll be good news when Atlanta Spirit puts up the “For Sale” sign.
.
JeJe
December 22nd, 2010
9:53 pm
Since this news has no bearing financially [apparently] on the franchises, who cares?
kracker
December 22nd, 2010
9:53 pm
Thanks for the news.
There are a lot of wierd ppl posting on your blog, Schultz. A lot seem to not be very sports connected, they just want to rant (which they do rather pathectically). That must be very depressing for a sports columnist.
Joe Thompson
December 22nd, 2010
9:56 pm
Now move these teams away… especially the Thrashers……
Come on “Thrashers”…. is that a name for a team??????
The mascot is named Thrash!!!!!
This team is a joke…..
Bluelander
December 22nd, 2010
10:00 pm
Right on Jeff…now it is time for the guys out front…namely Levenson and Gearon to take some accountability for the past and show some passion for the future of both these franchises.
Jessie Smith
December 22nd, 2010
10:00 pm
I wonder what hockey is… I guess there is only 400 people interested in that sport in Atlanta… and that they are at every games!!!!!!!! Sorry, I forgot about the 5000 free tickets!!!!!!!!!!
Bluelander
December 22nd, 2010
10:10 pm
Scratch the accountability part…according to Levenson “we are proud of what we have done”. They just don’t get it and frankly they never will. I pray that someone comes in and will either buy the teams or invest enough to get a controlling interest and get rid of these boobs. They are living in fantasyland….
CrazyDiamond
December 22nd, 2010
10:13 pm
We are no longer totally screwed! The owners are no longer fighting among themselves!
Money remains a problem, though. Corporate Sponsorships will still lag, ticket sales are soft, no national TV contract for the NHL, local TV revenue is poor… WANTED: Deep Pockets to join or take ove Atlanta Spirit. And a playoff caliber goalie.
Alan R.
December 22nd, 2010
10:30 pm
no national TV contract for the NHL
ESPN is supposedly back in the picture. VERSUS is carried here in Atlanta.
And a playoff caliber goalie.
Meet Ondrej Pavelec.
D A Double U G
December 22nd, 2010
10:33 pm
Georgia Tech basketball just lost to Siena…….
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 22nd, 2010
10:37 pm
Da Double UG
Now we were doing so good.
How is AJ not coming back? I guess he doesn’t want to bust his butt trying to get that Housing Degree. Hell AJ owes the dawg fans a WHOLE season for what he did to the team this year.
Joe
December 22nd, 2010
10:38 pm
The lawsuit had nothing to do with the fans dislike of ASG- it is all about the stupid decisions they make daily- draft picks, coaches, gm’s, free agents, etc……. They are the poster child for how NOT to run a sports franchise.
kracker
December 22nd, 2010
10:43 pm
You tell ‘em, Alan R!
D A Double U G
December 22nd, 2010
10:44 pm
POAD,
As much as Techies are itching to talk smack about AJ leaving early (it would be the only thing you have going right in the UGA/Tech Rivalry), UGA fans have zero hopes or expectations on him coming back.
So when the announcement is official, after the bowl game, UGA fans will not be crushed or devistated like you want us to be. It’s not as if he told us all year he would be back and switched his mind at the last second.
AJ deserves to go Pro. He will be a darn good one too. And you thought “4th and OOPS!” Bay Bay Thomas was drafted high last year…… watch what happens this year with AJ!!!
BEST OF LUCK AJ!!! I will cheer you on nomatter what team you play on, except for the Saints.
ryan
December 22nd, 2010
10:45 pm
I want to get rid of these the ASG all together they have been the worst ownership ever .
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 22nd, 2010
10:47 pm
DA Double UG
The only Dawgs in the NFL I cheer for are the ones that play for the Falcons. I do pull for Tech players to have good games just not against the Falcons.
D A Double U G
December 22nd, 2010
10:48 pm
POAD, you are also a PRIME example of every Tech fan.
Whenever a sports debate or argument is addressed to you, you instantly want to switch it to an “off field” or “academic” debate. Everey time you guys do that, it’s basically admitting defeat.
I really do feel sorry for you guys.
But in the spirit of Christmas being so close, I wish you a Merry one, you fine Georgian.
Corch Myer
December 22nd, 2010
10:52 pm
We are so lucky to have this bunch of jock sniffers running the hawks/thrashers. Right???Much like the braves and falcons; maybe someday an ownership will emerge that has the money and good sense to put a good product on the field with good coaching. Until then, we are destined to suffer much like the braves and falcons fans of years ago did.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 22nd, 2010
10:59 pm
DA double UG I am saying AJ doesn’t want to sit in class for 3 more semesters and All UGA fans had to know he was not coming back no matter what. He will go high I am sure. I hate that he could go to a BAD BAD team. I hated when Calvin Johnson had to go to the LIONS. The Lions are doing a little better with Matt Stafford on the sidelines. Who would have figured that? Could Be Bills, Carolina, Dallas, San Fran, Denver, Bengels, Lions,
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 22nd, 2010
11:02 pm
Sorry Minnasota, Cards, and Brown are the 1st 10 picks. Lions are out having all the WRs they need. 2 other teams are out taking QB’s or trading down to get more picks because another team wants a QB bad.
ben
December 22nd, 2010
11:24 pm
::in the Jeff Foxworthy voice:: You might be a redneck if you think college sports are a big deal.
the nhl and the nba are major leagues college sports are basically a minor league arrangement. this is why i never got behind them. if you don’t like the nba or hockey then don’t go but act like adults and stay off the boards about them.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 22nd, 2010
11:33 pm
ben
The NBA loses money hand over fist. Just how is that Major League? TOO many NBA teams & games IMO. Too many teams in the Playoffs too. I do think the NFL is crazy to play more games next year as they are dicussing. The NFL playing on Thursday Nights is a bad idea too. Those HUGE men need more days to let their bodies rest. MLB could play 130 games and be better off too.
Ryan Fanning
December 22nd, 2010
11:44 pm
I went to my first Thrashers game on Saturday and I never thought I would say this but…..It was incredibly fun. The NFL will always be my fav but the NHL is my new 2nd favorite sport! Thrasher tickets are cheap and there are multiple games a week! I’m like obsessed with hockey now
ben
December 22nd, 2010
11:53 pm
5150 poad- As a man who used to make documentaries I’m aware of accounting tricks they do in Hollyweird. So I ask: “How do they count the beans?”
ben
December 22nd, 2010
11:57 pm
example: Teams charge themselves rent, corporations run teams at a loss so they can write it off later. sometimes film co’s dbl charge for everything.
scottbravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
12:13 am
5150,
You think Centennial Park is a freaking danger zone? Quit being scared all the time. Only how Atlanta is going to change is if people start moving back into Atlanta. Look at New York City Time Square used to be a terrible area and now it’s NYC Disney Land.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 23rd, 2010
12:41 am
NOT just the area around the Dome and Philips is the DANGER ZONE. It is the DOWNTOWN AREA you have to drive thru to get to the games.
Brendan
December 23rd, 2010
3:00 am
Jeff Schultz, I am hoping this is not a joke. I’ve seen a lot of bizarre stuff lately. Eric Boulton recently scored a “hat trick,” the Texas Rangers were in a World Series, and the NFL team that has been the poster child for losing, with two total playoff wins in the 40-something year franchise history, the New Orleans Saints, were last year’s Super Bowl Champs. And now this?? I tells ya, I’m peeking out my windows … checking for signs of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!
Getting back to the article, I found these comments to be especially salient, and applause worthy: The Spirit owners could never understand — or at least would never admit publicly — why they’ve been subjected to so much criticism over the past six and a half years. The reason is simple: Fans want their sports teams’ owners who are passionate and want to win as much as they do, and who give the impression that they know what they’re doing. When owners are suing each other, it obviously sends a different message. Now that they’re out of the courtroom, the remaining members of the Atlanta Spirit need to go about trying to repair some of the damage they’ve inflicted during their tenure. But if they don’t succeed right away, maybe it’s because there are more than a few bridges that need repairing.
A-men, Jeff. And thank you for putting that in print. Let me ask you a serious question: “How far would a public apology over mismanagement of the Thrashers, and the dysfunction among the ownership group, in general, go … in terms of potentially increasing ticket sales? I just want to try every possible avenue to get hockey fans, previously SHUNNED and DRIVEN AWAY by this ownership group, to return to the Bulb. It’s been difficult for some hockey fans to support this NHL franchise, knowing full well that their money goes to the very pepetrators of the franchise’s demise. What words of encouragement can you offer them, at this time? We can review the umpteen misdeeds of the past, but we’ve sure “been there” and “done that” enough times. I want to hear, from Levenson and Gearon, what their PLAN really is for this Thrashers franchise. Would they even utter the word “accountability?” Would they mention, “increased budgets?” How much would it matter to Thrashers fans if Gearon or Levenson said, “We’re gonna BUY at the trade deadline. We’re COMMITTED to giving this Thrashers franchise the necessary resources it needs to win, and advance as far as they can go, during the 2011 playoffs.” Presently, the team’s payroll is the lowest in the NHL, and frankly, I’m not sure why it hasn’t been penalized for being UNDER the FLOOR of the salary cap.
Stinger2
December 23rd, 2010
4:51 am
Jeff: Why do so many fans say that Arthur Blank should buy the Braves, Thrashers, and Hawks. Are they just dreaming? No doubt he has the financial resources; however would he really want to own three or four sport franchises? He is so hands on with the Falcons that it is doubtful he would have time to keep up with what is going on with three or four teams.
Stinger2
December 23rd, 2010
4:51 am
Jeff: Why do so many fans say that Arthur Blank should buy the Braves, Thrashers, and Hawks. Are they just dreaming? No doubt he has the financial resources; however would he really want to own three or four sport franchises? He is so hands on with the Falcons that it is doubtful he would have time to keep up with what is going on with three or four teams.
Beretverde
December 23rd, 2010
6:48 am
Who is in charge of the Spirit? Who is the “big man” of the group? It looks like the “Ownership by Committee” isn’t working.Six years of courtroom antics? What were the legal fees on that fiasco? Again- Who is the main man? I rarely use the term… but the Atlanta Spirit looks snake-bitten.
Paddy
December 23rd, 2010
7:01 am
Being out of the courtroom and litigation does not solve being BROKE! ASG has no chance to make it in this city. People have learned not to trust what they say. Can’t repair that one.
JSS
December 23rd, 2010
7:39 am
Arthur Blank… Arthur Blank… Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman… Like Ted Turner before him, he is NOT a cure all for what ails all of Atlanta professional sports!
I’d prefer Kathy Betty to get a group of partners together and bring some sanity to Phillips…
JSS
December 23rd, 2010
7:56 am
@ Stinger2
“No doubt he has the financial resources; however would he really want to own three or four sport franchises?”
For the 1 billionth time, no he does not! People are still under illusion that Arthur has unlimited wealth. During the Wall Street meltdown, his remaining shares in Home Depot took a 35% NET LOSS! The stock has now just returned to its October 2008 pre crash level. That was down further from the highs of 2005, which was down from when Marcus and Blank turned over the CEO reigns. He is barely in the middle of Forbes top 400 of Richest Americans.
DWTOO
December 23rd, 2010
8:26 am
Better to be thought a fool than post a comment and remove all doubt. Fine article Jeff, but, most of these posts have to be the work of absolute morons.
If you don’t like hockey or b-ball, fine. Then just shut up and allow those who do enjoy their sport. There are a few of us who don’t really care about UGA football. And I don’t go on their blogs so stay away from this.
jerry
December 23rd, 2010
8:41 am
@ Joe Thompson……..I think Thrashers is a great name for the team. It is the state bird and also insinuates an ass kicking, in a sport where ass kicking sometimes happens.
Brendan
December 23rd, 2010
8:48 am
Here, I had hoped Bruce Levenson had ‘turned the corner’ in his evolution as a person. Then, I find this quote, in the Kriti Swartz “Lawsuit Settled” article:
Michael Gearon and Bruce Levenson will serve as managing partners of the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers and Philips Arena.
“I think if you talk to anyone in either organization, they will tell you that this lawsuit has had zero impact. Zero,” Levenson said. “At the end of the day, we had a business partner who we were in a dispute with and we have settled that dispute. It may sound a lot more complicated but that’s really what happened.”
Okay, let’s a see a show of hands. Get ‘em up, way high in the cyber air, if you think the Atlanta Thrashers BELOW THE FLOOR of the salary cap budget is the result of ZERO Impact. Don’t be bashful, now. Step up. Admit that you think that the Spirit FIGURED that being below the floor of the cap was the BEST WAY POSSIBLE to run the Atlanta Thrashers Hockey club. (I’m counting on you posters, now.)
DWTOO
December 23rd, 2010
9:00 am
OK Brendan – based upon what I’ve seen over the ASG tenure B/L is a LIAR! Worst run franchise in pro sports and it has to own the one team I follow.
DawginLex
December 23rd, 2010
9:30 am
Time now to sell the Hawks to Arthur Blank and get an owner who actually cares about winning.
Ted Striker
December 23rd, 2010
9:39 am
Cue the chorus of “Sell Sell Sell”…by the clueless folk who never seem to understand that a party also has to be willing to “Buy Buy Buy”
Jeff Schultz
December 23rd, 2010
10:08 am
TonyB — Short answer: They’re looking for a buyer for the Thrashers or at least a significant investor. As for the Bettman/NHL/move factor, I think that’s still a little bit down the road.
Jeff Schultz
December 23rd, 2010
10:09 am
POAD — Don’t worry. There’s 12,000 bowl games.
Jeff Schultz
December 23rd, 2010
10:11 am
Kracker — Haha. Actually, uninformed voters depress me a lot more than uninformed commentors.
Jeff Schultz
December 23rd, 2010
10:12 am
Thanks Brendan. Good comments.
Jeff Schultz
December 23rd, 2010
10:12 am
Stinger2 –Arthur Blank won’t be buying another franchise for a while, if ever. Everything he’s doing is wrapped up in the Falcons and trying to get a new stadium.
Bruce Mac
December 23rd, 2010
10:58 am
Poad, have you ever been to a Thrasher’s game? It is darn fun. It is a horrible TV sport but it definately has attributes a Southern Born and raised fan can relate to. NBA on the other hand is like watching wrestling to me. It is all too predetemined although the athletes are incredible. I think that is why J Smooth is much more important to this franchise than Joe Johnson who is just a solid guy with no flash. To me, the NBA is about flash and high flying big plays as the wins are all predetemined. 1. Miami, 2. Boston, 3/4 Orlando and Atlanta. Who didn’t know that?
JSS
December 23rd, 2010
11:29 am
@ Ted Striker…
Exactly!!! They wished Time-Warner away… But Oh, will they ever learn?
JSS
December 23rd, 2010
11:33 am
@ Bruce Mac…
Then why have the following teams (The Cavs, the Magic, The Suns, The Mavs, The Knicks, and the Hornets) not won NBA titles since it is all about “The Flash?” I await your answer…
Ted M
December 23rd, 2010
11:58 am
How many millions were wasted on attorney fees?
poof!!!
December 23rd, 2010
12:49 pm
POAD is like my Dad he used to go to Atlanta all the time in the 60’s and 70’s when the crime rates in Atlanta were some of the highest in the country, now my father talks about how bad the crime is in Atlanta. When people get old they tend to see things worse than what they really are. Plus they always say things were better in my day. And life goes on.
Dr Phil
December 23rd, 2010
1:09 pm
poof!!!- I hope POAD isn’t that much like your dad or you will need years and years of very expensive therapy!
Suzy
December 23rd, 2010
2:54 pm
What a bunch of crap…….They have been laying off employees, eliminating jobs and contracting out services in their company for the past several years trying to build up the capital for this settlement.
The Point Forward » Posts Court Vision: The latest around the league «
December 23rd, 2010
3:25 pm
[...] factions of the Hawks’ ownership group settled their litigation late Wednesday. Here’s background on the key players and the rift between them, which started (naturally) in part because of Joe [...]
Predictions: Falcons, Dogs, Jackets win; Rex plays footsie | Jeff Schultz
December 23rd, 2010
4:38 pm
[...] – Atlanta Spirit settles lawsuit — this can only be good news [...]
CrazyDiamond
December 23rd, 2010
5:01 pm
ALAN R: NHL National TV contract on VERSUS = Profit Sharing deal. I get VERSUS – but the teams do not get squat from the deal in comparison with any other sport. Why? ‘Cause NHL is not a sport the nation watches.
Ondrej Pavelec – no playoff experience – not a playoff caliber goalie. It would be like the Braves having a rookies as their #1, 2, and 3 starting pitchers. Thanks, DW,
SUZY: You got it right! These guys continue to be strapped for cash. When the price is right for the Thrashers to go to Canada, they are gone.
STRETCH
December 23rd, 2010
6:52 pm
The Hawks dont have money. PERIOD.
General manager Rick Sund is taking the same wait-and-see approach he did prior to the start of the season.
“We’ve improved every year; now we will see if we can get one step closer to a championship,” Sund said.
Note: He is focused on “getting ONE step closer to a championship?” REALLY????
What ever happened to actually trying to WIN a championship????
Sounds like a GM who knows that he wont have any money to work with for a LOOOOONG time.