Rejoice! New Hawks’ owner means end of Atlanta Spirit
We know little about Alex Meruelo. But ...
He is the right guy if for no other reason than he is a new guy.
“I will be in complete control of the team,” Alex Meruelo said.
And really, does anything else matter right now?
Because if Alex Meruelo is in charge, it means Bruce Levenson isn’t in charge. It means Michael Gearon Jr. isn’t in charge. It means Ed Peskowitz, Rutherford Seydel, the ghost of Steve Belkin, Topo Gigio and anybody else who ever was among the blur of Atlanta Spirit partners isn’t in charge.
They don’t call the shots any more.
Say goodbye to exploding clown shoes.
So ends the rule of the Atlanta Spirit. It’s too late to save the NHL franchise that the former ownership
... he has to be better than Peskowitz, Gearon and Levenson.
group destroyed, lied about and ultimately sold off to Winnipeg. It’s too late to save us from the absurdity of owner-vs-owner lawsuits and daily dysfunction we witnessed for most of roughly seven years — why does it seem like 27? — in the front office. But we’ll take it today because it’s better than waiting until tomorrow.
If the Atlanta Spirit wasn’t the worst ownership in the history of professional sports, it at least is in the argument. No sports town wants to be in that argument.
I don’t know a thing about Alex Meruelo, other than what I Google and read. Pizza restaurants. Construction. A casino. A television station. Dandy.
The guy could have made his fortune selling second-hand nuclear reactors and I’d be cool with it. Alex Meruelo suddenly emerging the top of Atlanta Hawks’ food chain is like popping a few extra strength Tylenol, knowing the headache is bound to get better.
I know. He’s not from here. He doesn’t live here. He never has owned a sports team before. He comes with no guarantees.
Sorry, there is no such thing as guaranteed perfect owners, any more than there are guaranteed perfect general managers, coaches and point guards.
For all we know, Meruelo could be another Levenson (get down on your knees and pray no). Or he could be another Arthur Blank (get down on your knees and pray yes).
But wouldn’t you rather take the unknown vs. the known?
Meruelo, who will be introduced at a 2 p.m. news conference Monday at Philips Arena, says he will own more than 50 percent of the Hawks and Philips Arena operating rights. That’s all we need to know right now. Logic says Levenson, Gearon and/or Peskowitz will remain as minority partners because the rest of the money has to come from somewhere. But when one man owns controlling interest, it means one votes and one man decides.
Know this: When all of the Hawks’ owners get together in a room, only one of them will have had nothing to do with the Joe Johnson contract. It’s the one now in charge.
The NBA is in a lockout. I kind of like that. It gives Meruelo a chance to assess the Hawks, assess Rick Sund, assess Larry Drew, assess the franchise as both a business and a potential competitor for an NBA championship. There should be no rushed decisions here.
Meruelo said: “I want to bring a championship to the city of Atlanta.”
Yes, this is standard speak from the new owner talking points manual. Everybody involved with the Spirit said they wanted to win championships, too. It just doesn’t necessarily mean they were equipped to.
Maybe the new guy will know what he’s doing. He can’t possibly know less.
By Jeff Schultz
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238 comments Add your comment
NBA strike is gold
August 7th, 2011
10:09 pm
.. free pizza with every loss ! ..
Hawks fan
August 7th, 2011
10:14 pm
Either he us unwilling to spend to buy 100% or gearon and levenson want to remain owners. Either way it is an ominous sign. I will celebrate when ASG is totally gone. It is a step forward.
cpsman_atlanta
August 7th, 2011
10:22 pm
He’s buying a team that’ll have an empty arena because of the NBA lockout, but didn’t want to buy a team that would be playing in our Thrashers? Wait a minute, does he work for the government? At least I can possibly go back to Phillips Arena again, especially once we get a hockey team again.
d
August 7th, 2011
10:28 pm
I agree, with no hockey, this is no big deal for me.
Atlanta Hawks New Owner, Alex Meruelo Becomes NBA’s 1st Latino Owner : Jocks and Stiletto Jill | ESPN meets Sex and the City | Jocks And Stiletto Jill // ESPN meets Sex and the City
August 7th, 2011
10:28 pm
[...] The Atlanta Hawks finally have a new majority owner after years of in-fighting amongst the previous ownership group, Atlanta Spirit, LLC. The new owner is Los Angeles area-based businessman Alex Meruelo, owner of The Meruelo Group. This … [...]
Artie B's not Walking Through That Door, People
August 7th, 2011
10:28 pm
Jeff, ask MGJr if this means Alex gets to schtup Mary Moran now?
Jimmy
August 7th, 2011
10:30 pm
YES!
May the names of Gearon, Levenson, Peskowitz and Seydel go down in history
as the worst professional sports owners ever.
We should not forget…we should not let Atlanta forget…the names of these men.
We should boycott their businesses.
They are disgusting individuals who hurt Atlanta by destroying and selling the Thrashers.
Thankfully, the Hawks have escaped their clutches.
ArtMan
August 7th, 2011
10:32 pm
Pete Babcock. was by far in the worst GM in Atlanta Hawk history. Billy Knight was head and shoulders above Babcock.
ArtMan
August 7th, 2011
10:33 pm
Anyone who thinks Billy Knight was the worst GM has been smoking too much of the loco weed.
Pete Babcock has that distinction.
ASG Killed The NHL in Atlanta
August 7th, 2011
10:34 pm
Great Job Jeff…………..sad hockey fans had to deal with ASG. Happy for Hawks fans.
DawgDad
August 7th, 2011
10:35 pm
“Pizza restaurants. Construction. A casino. A television station.” All that’s missing is “Bada Bing”.
Billsen
August 7th, 2011
10:38 pm
As a still-bitter Thrashers fan, I only wish this had happened last year. But as least I can now go and see events at Philips, and not feel scummy.
Puck Like A Porn Star
August 7th, 2011
10:43 pm
Did that that deal for the new NY Islanders arena fall through recently?
Well now…
Blazerdawg
August 7th, 2011
10:44 pm
Atlanta Islanders?
Puck Like A Porn Star
August 7th, 2011
10:57 pm
If we can’t win championships, let’s at least inherit some. Get those Isles down here, Alex!
Hockey night in Atlanta
August 7th, 2011
11:07 pm
The Thrashers were the only reason I ever went to Phillips; and since they’re still gone, there’s still no reason to go back. I am glad that Atlanta Spirit won’t be able to completely distroy another franchise though.
B. Thenet
August 7th, 2011
11:09 pm
So ASG found someone foolish enough to go into business with them and some of you are celebrating this?
Until any portion of my money goes to those scum Levenson and Gearon, it ain’t over. There will be internal lawsuits within two years.
Now I may be able to go back to Philips
August 7th, 2011
11:09 pm
Well I might support the Hawks after all now. Granted, I wish this guy had come around a few months earlier. If he really wants to be the hero in Atlanta, buy the Phoenix Coyotes and move them to Atlanta next Summer and bring hockey back to the ATL. For now, Go Hawks! and Meruelo!
superiorblogman
August 7th, 2011
11:12 pm
It’s not rocketscience, fire Drew and Sund. Go get a Center that is a Center all day everyday and can not be mistaking for anything else. Put Marvin Williams, Zaza, and Kirk Hinrich on the trade market.
BAMA Dude
August 7th, 2011
11:20 pm
OK, new guy. First order of business: send Horford back home to Florida along with Hinrich’s expiring deal (after 2011-12) and a couple first rounders to bring big Dwight back home to the ATL. Josh and his buddy get to play together as a dominating frontcourt.
Bart
August 7th, 2011
11:22 pm
Wake me up when all of the Thrasher-killing ASG members are finally gone (not just moved to a minority play). Until then, I’m not watching the Hawks or setting foot in Philips Arena.
Up Yours ASG
August 7th, 2011
11:26 pm
If douchebag Levenson and cry baby Gearon still own part of the team and operating rights to the arena, the “newest” Cuban in the NBA isn’t going to be receiving any of my discretionary income.
I’ll REJOICE when every last remnant of the Spirit Clowns is gone.
josh
August 7th, 2011
11:31 pm
Amazing! The difference between the MLB & NBA – http://www.atlantainsight.com
hawks4life
August 7th, 2011
11:33 pm
ok ok thrashers fans we get that your not gonna spend a dime at philips arena. However, you should want to support an Atlanta team on the rise so get over yourself there aren’t that many of you anyways
Puck Like A Porn Star
August 7th, 2011
11:36 pm
Here’s a photograph of a few of us Thrashers fans:
http://tinyurl.com/43wtcht
Grandmaster JeJe
August 7th, 2011
11:43 pm
I love watching Schultz tear apart the ASG. It’s like he’s had this venom ready in his arsenal and now he’s letting it lose.
FIRE SUND
FIRE LD
FIRE WOODY
Grandmaster JeJe
August 7th, 2011
11:46 pm
Since ASG are minority owners, does that mean we still have to see Moron Jr at every game court side? He just will never give up his stake since he’s a lifetime Hawks fawn and enthusiast
kreedham
August 7th, 2011
11:49 pm
Wouldn’t be surprised if in a year or two or three he bought out the minority owners. At least he’s got control!
Thrashers Season Ticket Holder
August 7th, 2011
11:54 pm
If Bruce Levenson & Michael Gearon were both on fire and screaming for relief, and I really had to empty my bladder immediately and BADLY, I would choose to wet my own pants with a smile.
….
Those two losers should’ve been ENDED by their own mothers with coat hangers before birth.
Tater
August 8th, 2011
12:05 am
ASG = Manure
Be informed
August 8th, 2011
12:43 am
You people kill me. The Hawks are the only Atlanta team to make the playoffs the past four years in a row. The Hawks can not be moved because they are tied to the lease of Philips arena for something like another 20 years. Yes, Joe’s contract sucks and makes it nearly impossible to make any significant moves. They will be in the playoffs again if there is an NBA season.
tlaw
August 8th, 2011
1:02 am
a couple of words Schultz…hallelujah.hallelujah.hallelujah…halle…lu…jah!!LMAO!!!
truhawkfan
August 8th, 2011
1:24 am
People are not satisfied with nothing the new owner owns more than half of the Hawks and people still complain about the ASG having something to do with the Hawks.I understand where your fustration lies with them but when it comes to decisions only 1 opinion will truly count at the end. So people be happy that strides are being made to better the team.Now lets focuse on the players and the coaching staff.
James
August 8th, 2011
1:39 am
The Hawks need to be moved out of Atlanta cause Atlanta is not a basketball city it’s a football and baseball city. The team should be moved to Anaheim so that Sacramento can stay in Sacramento.
Father Slapshot
August 8th, 2011
2:38 am
Hell isn’t HOT ENOUGH for Levenson and Gearon….
…but it would be a great place to start!
#####
We need an “Exorcism Deluxe” to get those limp-wristed losers and the rest of the demonic Atlanta Spirit Group out of this town.
Father Slapshot
August 8th, 2011
2:41 am
Begone, Demonic Millionaires, Begone!
I cast thee OUT of Atlanta.
Stinger2
August 8th, 2011
4:13 am
Schultz: Why do you and Bradley write about the same thing at the same time? Seems to happen often.
bob from account temps
August 8th, 2011
5:21 am
i guess the hawks dancers will go from hip hop to the macarena next season.
also informed
August 8th, 2011
5:27 am
Arthur Blank, A quality owner, is also on the board of directors of the Atlanta Newspapers, who own the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. When is the last time you read Shultz write ANYTHING negative about the Falcons or Arthur Blank? Shultz writes that the Hawks have the worst ownership in all of sports, yet they are the ONLY Atlanta team to have made the playoffs the last 4 years in a row. No ethical journalist would make such a factually insupportable statement, but for a hack with a grudge, who is neither ethical nor a journalist, its not a problem.
Big Ray
August 8th, 2011
7:01 am
This should more or less spell the end of the Rick Sund era. For all his warts, the man did precisely what Gearon wanted him to do. Still, I’ll shed no tears when he’s gone. And make no mistake, he’s gone. Only question is who we get as a replacement. If Portland’s former GM Kevin Pritchard can be had, I’d take a flier on him.
Larry Drew is on a very short leash, I’m guessing. Or, he’s gone. I’m okay with that as well. Bring in Dwayne Casey or somebody like that. If we’re going to get a “hotshot assistant coach looking for his first head coach gig”, then let it be somebody SMART and discipline oriented like Chicago did with Thibodeau.
Well, the ASG is done with majority ops, and that’s all that matters for now. Hope the new guy has way better range of vision, better management skills, and less micromanaging tendencies.
Oh…and good lawyers. Just in case the former ASG members try to pull a Belkin on him. Again.
Paddy
August 8th, 2011
7:13 am
be informed…..not really a great accomplishment to make the NBA playoffs.
The way I read the column is he wants no part of any hockey team. He does not want to be an Atlanta hero. He wants to make alot of money. Who can blame him for any of that?
Brad Lyons
August 8th, 2011
7:35 am
The ASG lied to me for over 4-months, especially the last several weeks where I emphatically DEMANDED MY MONEY! It took getting the media involved and wouldn’t you know it, suddenly that check they had no ability to write was cut and waiting within an hour! Imagine that, just more proof of these slimeballs. WHILE I AM HAPPY TO HEAR THIS NEWS, I REFUSE TO SPEND A DIME UNTIL ALL OF THOSE LIARS ARE GONE. All the ASG did was lie, argue, and file lawsuits—-they did NOTHING and I mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING other than everything wrong—especially for the Thrashers fans of Atlanta. The fact is—-HOCKEY WORKS HERE BUT THE OWNERS MESSED IT UP FROM THE BEGINNING AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THINKS IT IS BECAUSE ATLANTA DOESN’T SUPPORT HOCKEY. That’s the bad news here, is they did such a poor job—-the image was tarnished. The reality is, the ASG tarnished it and we did NOTHING wrong.
Larry E
August 8th, 2011
7:51 am
The Atlanta Spirit can rot in HE&*$%. They killed the Thrashers and I hope nothing wins in Phillips Arena. And the gall of any of the Spirit group becoming part owners, are you kidding me! Put us an NHL team in Gwinnett Arena and let Atlanta sink into the hole it is.
Puck Like A Porn Star
August 8th, 2011
8:03 am
You can badmouth ASG all you want, but you better not say a word against Atlanta. Know thy enemy.
Still Boycotting
August 8th, 2011
8:22 am
Still won’t set foot in Phillips. This guy had interest in the arena and the Hawks before the exclusive agreement with Moores. He didn’t step up and make an offer for the Thrashers too. Besides, ASG members are still part of the new ownership group. There is no way those crooks and liars will get my money, ever. So therefore, my boycott is still on of Phillips Arena and the Hawks. About the only way he’d get me back in the arena is to purchase an NHL team and move them back here. NHL > NBA for me.
dmr
August 8th, 2011
8:32 am
I don’t know what this means for the Hawks other than I should no longer have to listen to Michael Gearon Jr. tell the fans how they don’t understand basketball or the overpaying of middle road talent. Gearon reminds me of the President of the U.S.; not because of his leadership, but because nothing is ever his fault or the fault of the A.S.G. So long.
hip czech
August 8th, 2011
8:36 am
hawks4life – and how many Thrashers games did YOU attend?
Thrashers Fan
August 8th, 2011
8:36 am
Who cares about the Hawks? The NBA is nothing more than a league of overpaid thugs!!!
BBrown
August 8th, 2011
8:38 am
“Say goodbye to exploding clown shoes” – That says it all! Hilarious!!! New ownership here is a good thing. Hopefully, more in the mold of Arthur Blank. Now, any chance the Braves can move on from Liberty Media?
Blob Horner
August 8th, 2011
8:44 am
Every busines, organization, sports franchise…. makes a bone-head move at some point(don’t we all). The question is, do they have the overall philosophy and management skills to overcome the occasional blunder. Even “Stan the Man Kasten(not Pete Babcock) slapped a hasty contract on John Kontrac(sic). The ASG somehow managed to overcome a Sunami of of bad hires, drafts, contracts, lawsuits and other disfuntion to put together maybe the best run outside of Stan Kasten’s team of the ’80’s( can’t count the team we inherited from St. Louis and promptly dismembered). So, from a BBall perspective, they certainly did better than most Hawks management when you look at the record. What we’re all left with is the fealing of what could have been if this group wasn’t making Apple Records look like Apple Computers.