Hawks’ Meruelo wants to earn our respect, and he’s on track
See this picture? Me, I'm darn tired of seeing this picture. (AJC photo by Hyosub Shin)
In his public introduction, Alex Meruelo used that word again, used it four times. That word: Respect. As in, “I want to earn the respect and loyalty of the Atlanta community.”
Then, significantly, he said this: “It’s not something that’s given. I’m not entitled to it.”
Sometimes a guy buys a team and figures the fans come with it. Alex Meruelo seems to grasp that the job only begins when the sale closes. He can’t just say, “These are the Hawks, and we expect you to come watch them.” He has to give folks a reason to spend money on his product.
That, as we know, has been an ongoing disconnect. The Hawks have become a pretty good team — three consecutive winning seasons, three consecutive Round 1 series victories — that our city hasn’t fully embraced. There was a time in the late ’80s when NBA basketball was the hottest ticket in town, but that was before John Schuerholz arrived from Kansas City to reconfigure the Braves.
Meruelo’s mission is to do as Schuerholz did with the local baseball club — assure his constituency that competence is no longer a foreign concept. Meruelo loves basketball but is in no way a basketball insider, which might seem a detriment. (It might also mean he’ll let the professionals in his front office do what they’re paid to do, about which more later.) This much, however, is undeniable: Alex Meruelo is a professional at business, and business is about selling.
Asked after his news conference if, in his entrepreneurial experience, customers respond to knowing there’s one person — a person who cares what they think — in charge, Meruelo said: “In general terms, yes. Otherwise the message can get diluted and convoluted.”
The Atlanta Spirit had many voices, some of whom occasionally agreed. By the time the group rid itself of the dissident Steve Belkin, the damage was done. The brand had been besmirched, the Spirit group cast not as a well-meaning group of moneyed sports fans but as a band of tin-eared klutzes.
In the history of Acts To Follow, the Atlanta Spirit is among the best. (Or worst, depending on your slant.) Even before we knew Arthur Blank would be a skillful steward of a football franchise, we knew he couldn’t be less adroit than the locally lampooned Smiths. Assuming the Hawk get around to playing again — in breaking news, the NBA is locked out — Meruelo should enjoy a blissful honeymoon.
Soon enough, though, he’ll have to put his money and expertise where his mouth is. He’ll have to decide who should stay and who shouldn’t, and that’s no easy call. The Hawks are a winning team that regressed from 53 victories to 44 under new coach Larry Drew. The Core Four — Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams and Al Horford — has reached a point of diminishing returns. Should the Core be disassembled? (Yes, I’d recommend.) And is general manager Rick Sund the man to build a better core?
Maybe not. Since taking over from Billy Knight in June 2008, Sund has been an able caretaker. But nothing in his long NBA pedigree suggests he’s daring enough to act in the visionary manner that moving from pretty good to great will require. Sund is a good man to have in any front office; he might not be the best to lead the new Hawks’ front office.
Meruelo might well decide that continuity is required, but human nature — in his briefing, an obviously nervous and at times a nearly tearful Meruelo said, “I’m human” — is for a new owner to do some fixing-upping. The Hawks could stand some. My guess is that the new owner will see it that way, too.
“I can’t promise you a championship,” Meruelo said. “I can promise you I’ll never give up.”
A tiny and perhaps apt example: Meruelo wanted a basketball goal installed on the side of his California home. His neighbors were less enthused. (If you think NBA bylaws are inflexible, try working around neighborhood covenants.) “I had to fight tooth and nail,” Meruelo said, but he got his hoop.
Owing to the lockout, Meruelo faces more issues than most first-time franchise buyers. He might not see his first Hawks game until 2012, if then. But this jaded Hawks-watcher has to admit: I like what I’ve heard. I’d say the new man has a real chance. I’d say he’s a man worthy of respect.
By Mark Bradley
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124 comments Add your comment
AtlFlamesFan
August 8th, 2011
6:37 pm
I have no respect for anyone who gets in bed with Levenson, Gearon Jr, and Seydel. Meruelo may want to reconsider doing business with these dispicable thieves. And as long as any remenants of ASG remain, then many of us will never spend a dime on the Hawks or any other event at Philips Arena.
AtlFlamesFan
August 8th, 2011
6:38 pm
I have no respect for anyone who accociates themself with Levenson, Gearon Jr, and Seydel. Meruelo may want to reconsider doing business with these dispicable thieves. And as long as any remenants of ASG remain, then many of us will never spend a dime on the Hawks or any other event at Philips Arena.
Mayor Reed
August 8th, 2011
6:38 pm
No way no how would I let the Hawks move, now the Thrashers on the other hand…
Just saying
August 8th, 2011
6:40 pm
Oh..oh..oh Mark, will casino ownership be a “morals” thorn in the flesh for Alex Ceruelo owning the Hawks? Could the NBA withhold approval of this sale for his casino ownership?
tony
August 8th, 2011
6:42 pm
If Mr.Meruelo put the fans first, he will have success.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 8th, 2011
6:48 pm
“Waiting on the bigger bombshell-that Najeh Davenpoop is actually Alex Meruelo posing as a Hawk enthusiast….”
Haha… my broke ass wouldn’t have been sitting in the upper deck at all those playoff games if I had that kind of money.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 8th, 2011
6:49 pm
“The Core Four — Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams and Al Horford ”
Since when is Marvin a part of the core?
I would say Teague and even Jamal is closer to being a core piece of the Hawks than Marvin. Marvin defines expendable.
utter disgust
August 8th, 2011
7:21 pm
Marvin Williams is not a core 4 player. Whoever wrote this article needs to go jump off a bridge now!!
WestOfAthens
August 8th, 2011
7:47 pm
Thankful for the fact these Hawks have one, yes -ONE-, owner to answer too. Too early to deem him “Cuban Dedication”, but his intent is welcomed. An overdue sigh of relief
BOB FROM ACCOUNT TEMPS
August 8th, 2011
7:47 pm
LOOK FOR THE HAWKS DANCERS TO DROP ALL THE HIP HOP ROUTINES AND ADD THE MACERANA
DHD
August 8th, 2011
8:29 pm
I might even consider becoming a fan again.
kreedham
August 8th, 2011
8:37 pm
In regards to the 82 dates to fill comment…it’s actually 43-41 home games plus 2 pre season. I know you didn’t mean it! And 10 or so are filled, at least 1 year, with Tech BB.
Angus
August 8th, 2011
8:49 pm
A “chef” who can’t spell “du jour” – that’s something new.
VinceVanGo
August 8th, 2011
9:02 pm
Has he got any rich friends who can pry the Braves away from Liberty Media. The Group/Corporate owned teams never real put forth the effort and money like an individual majority share owner will.
wreckmaniac
August 8th, 2011
9:05 pm
To get this town interested in the NBA is going to require one hell of act. This town has three seasons:
1. football
2. Braves
3. waiting for football and the Braves seasons to begin
Lord Stanley
August 8th, 2011
9:28 pm
wreckmaniac – Well said. Its not freezing her in the winter but if we have to count on the Hawks for some winter enjoyment it really will be a long winter.
drmaryb (*_-)
August 8th, 2011
9:35 pm
Pragmatic!
Once I read all the fine and varied opinions and learn more about Mr. Meruelo, I can make an impact statement of my own.
For now I am so stunned and elated that a change is gonna’ come, that I’ve been rendered speechless. I just learned of this great news when the red light on my
B-Berry began flashing while I was in church:
Praying that a change was gonna’ come on many fronts. Little did I know it was gonna’ be my Hawks on that day, that hour and that moment.
As soon as I gather my self up off the floor? I’m gonna’ come up swinging. That and if I ever get to use my own user ID ever again without “Lurch” (da troll), stalking me. LOL & smdh. (she pffts & smirks)
I have no interest in posting under multiple I’d’s nor time to waste or play games with that. Besides, content reveals character and my cohorts know me, my style and my swagger, just like I know them, their style and their swagger. (lol)
____________
Let’s Go Hawks!
Grandmaster JeJe
August 8th, 2011
10:01 pm
Solid press conference earlier, but any new owner would say those same things.
I want to see that same passion he showed there during the season.
OPEN THE WALLET, ALEX!
On a side note, why did Gearon sell his business at such a young age? If he had waited a bit, maybe he’d have made more money and would be wealthier. Oh well. FIRE ASG
Tomax
August 8th, 2011
10:04 pm
Want our respect, Mr. Meruelo?
Look at everything Atlanta Spirit Group has done.
Then, do the EXACT OPPOSITE of all of that.
Hoops
August 8th, 2011
10:36 pm
O’kay guys! All we have been yelling for is for someone to buy the Hawks so the ASG would go away. We got our wish!!! If this stinking lockout ever gets over, we need to support our new owner and give him a chance to make the moves that will get the Hawks a Championship! We are much closer now than we were with ASG! Go Hawks!!!
Still Boycotting
August 8th, 2011
10:54 pm
He spouts the same type of dribble that I heard when ASG arrived. He started off on a bad foot by deciding to partner with crooks and liars. He won’t have my respect until all of the ASG members have been kicked to the curb. If he was a smart businessman, he would have bought the Thrashers too seeing as he won’t have any basketball in Phillips this year. 82 regular season dates that won’t be fulfilled will be a tough pill to swallow right off the bat. As far as I’m concerned, he had his chance to buy both franchises and he didn’t. That is the only chance he’s going to get from me and the rest of the hockey community to buy into his product.
Ummmm
August 8th, 2011
11:28 pm
Ok this is some funny logic some of you have.
Man buys team from Group you don’t like. You come onto blog and say “I cannot trust this Man, because he did business with this Group to buy the team. I will never trust him!” Of course, this is because he HAD to do “business” with the Group to purchase the team. No way around that. But that’s okay, you’re never, ever, EVER going to trust this Man because he did business with said Group.
So, this means, that if this Man sells the team to another Person, you can go around saying “I cannot trust this new Person because he did business with a Man who did business with a Group I hated. Go Thrashers!”
…Yeah, that doesn’t make that much sense now, does it?
Wayne stuck in AL
August 8th, 2011
11:30 pm
Atlanta might (emphasis: might) be a basketball town (especiallly in S. DeKalb, Clayton and S. Fulton), but it will never be a Hawks town.
midtown123
August 8th, 2011
11:40 pm
He’s not the ASG…that’s already an upgrade.
midtown123
August 8th, 2011
11:40 pm
@ Wayne Don’t you have any faith in Atlanta? If you hate it so bad, get out.
Still Boycotting
August 8th, 2011
11:43 pm
To Ummmm. Maybe it’s because he’s still doing business with those crooks known as ASG. It would have been one thing to have bought them out completely, but it’s quite another to get into same bed of lies that they already created.
da-best
August 9th, 2011
12:46 am
let joe johnson and josh smith go they both are over paid and they aren’t living up to those huge contracts they both have
SB75
August 9th, 2011
1:02 am
@ Bird Dirty……
Been screaming that for months. Send Al ( while we do love him) and Marvin to Orl for Howard. Sign Battier to that mid-level exception ( if it still exist when a new CBA is signed). And hire a coach who the players respect! Drew maybe a great coach one day. But it’s not just Josh, the entire team does what it wants to do on offense. Did fans really believe Drew called a dribble drive for Horford with the game on the line?
Kirk…… Untill Jeff takes the Job!
Joe
Shane
Josh
Dwight
Defensively, this is would be one of the NBA’s best starting 5’s.
YoungerThan ThatNow
August 9th, 2011
1:04 am
I’m in the “what have we got to lose” camp… let’s give him a shot and see what he can do. It darn sure can’t be no worse than the last ownership group and he seems like the type to let the hired people do what they are hired to do, and if they can’t do that find somebody who can.
Yep… I like him a lot and he sounds like a go-getter!!
Katie
August 9th, 2011
1:46 am
Dear Thrashers Fans,
Please stop sulking on this blog, saying that the majority of people would have preferred the Hawks leaving and the Thrashers staying. We all know this is nowhere near being true, even the (former) Thrashers themselves. Crying about it won’t bring them back. And saying you’ll never go to a Hawks game because of the ASG and their antics is just stupid, you wouldn’t have gone even if they had stayed.
I am totally convinced that 99% of the nay-sayers on here are just scorned Thrashers fans. Please, do us all a favor and go b*tch somewhere else, because at this point, none of us really care. I hate to be so mean but this has been going on for the last 3 or 4 blogs and it’s getting old. The majority of us Hawks fans are really excited about this, stop trying to bring us down into the dumps just because you’ve been there for the past 3 months.
btw, I really don’t care that the ASG still has a [minimal] share in the Hawks, I’ll be at every game I can make it to. I’m not going to let the ASG ruin something I’ve loved my entire life. And if you’re a true Hawks fan, I’m sure you would agree.
Dirty South TV
August 9th, 2011
3:56 am
Dear Alex,
We’ll be happy to talk to you about streaming all of the Hawks games live.
Please feel free to call anytime.
Sincerely,
Dirty South TV
(4040 759-0046
Cycle of fear grips stock markets | The Biz Beat
August 9th, 2011
5:21 am
[...] New Hawks owner wants to earn our respect [...]
on the fence
August 9th, 2011
6:07 am
first job , clean house and start over
Dean21
August 9th, 2011
6:30 am
Well Written Katie…
Why in the world would this man entertain any questions about an hockey team that no longer resides here when his sole purpose and life goal was to purchase a NBA (NOT NHL) Team! Please Thrashers Fans, move to where your new team now resides if you love them so much, then you would’nt have time to be on a basketball blog.
For myself, this is a great thing for this city and the Hawks Organization. Now we can build on additonal true Hawks fans and a better Hawks team with a more concerned and dedicated owner!
That Dude Devin
August 9th, 2011
6:57 am
Thank goodness we didnt get some pasty white guy owner
That Dude Devin
August 9th, 2011
7:04 am
Thrashers fans go to a Silverbacks game…jeez!
RED ZONE ONE
August 9th, 2011
7:19 am
With new ownership comes change good or bad, don’t be surprise if that change comes in year 2 or 3 of his ownership he still has to access his team top to bottom (its not like he was a die hard hawks fan prior to the teams acquistion). (GM Cap On) Here’s your new core; Teague, JJ, Sy, Horford, and McGee.
Sy-guards mulitple positions on the floor, aggressive defender, and scores on hustle plays
McGee- young, athletic, rebounds, shot blocks (avg better than J Smith), and is a true 7″ ft center.
We will give you Josh Smith and our 2nd rd pick for JaVale Mcgee and your 1st rd pick.This trade gives us a long term solution at Center (Tyson Chandler with more upside). And if we don’t like what Sy gives us we have 2 opportunities to address it in the 1st rd of the 2012 draft.
GT
August 9th, 2011
7:32 am
The reason the Braves work is it is a family atmosphere in the summer when school is out. Until an NBA owner can address the thug atmosphere of an Atlanta arena or put together a team like the old Chicago Bulls, which in this era of parity won’t happen, you are in for the same old same old. NBA basketball is everything we don’t want our kids to be and any grown man that worships that kind of immuturity needs a life. While old Mark is again busting the chops of local people who put millions into a loss cause he might spend a little time addressing the real problem, mama doesn’t want to raise a thug in the south, and the thugs that like this kind of stuff don’t have the money to support it.
GT
August 9th, 2011
7:34 am
Its all about family. Nothing about these thugs that play and come to this game is about family. The last thing mama wants is her kids growing up like these people. Braves, family, schools out, and great weekend crowds.
Lew
August 9th, 2011
7:47 am
Who Cares? Its the NBA. The worst excuse for a sporting event on the planet !!!!!!!!
Dr. Warren
August 9th, 2011
7:50 am
Meruelo’s actual quote as seen on video is, “I can’t promise you a championship ‘tomorrow’…”
That has a slightly different, more positive connotation than the way Mark has quoted him.
GT
August 9th, 2011
7:56 am
What I don’t understand about these hockey fans is if there were so many of them why couldn’t they find the money to buy and save the team in Atlanta. It is a northern transplant white crowd coming down 400 into the middle of a southern city that is hot, black, and has never raised one hockey player in its entire history and got along just fine. The AGS once again force feed something lost a ton of money and has to listen to people not vested in this area whine about something no one here cares about. This is not art or culture, this is a gathering of Yankee conventioneers who want a bit of the old country in the new world. It would be like asking Jewish people to build and pay for a Catholic church and then complaining about the results.
Billy
August 9th, 2011
8:15 am
I’m excited by this. I hope the Hawks can get better than last season.
KevinM
August 9th, 2011
8:18 am
Well, AM gets to start off slow and get an idea how the NBA runs it’s business….it sounds like a good time to come into then league. Your commish wants to guarantee a profit for you, so you have to think looking at our current salaries, you won’t be in a big crutch up front to be a contender.
I gotta think that if this strike goes much further, current management stays (to my dismay) and the first area of concern will be JC and the bench.
Has anyone provided a date when the NBA has to be up and running to save the entire season?
KevinM
August 9th, 2011
8:21 am
How much is 2 all-stars worth this preseason? Worse case, I sure would find out.
Devoted Thrashers Fan Who Team Was MURDERED by Atlanta Spirit Group
August 9th, 2011
8:23 am
Mr. Meruelo,
You want us to buy into your new product?
You say some Atlanta Spirit Group members are still part of your new ownership group?
Well, in that case, [Expletive] You and your whole crew!!!!!
Those sons of feces like Gearon will N-E-V-E-R receive, directly or indirectly, another dime of my money.
Believe That.
Devoted Thrashers Fan WHOSE Team Was MURDERED by Atlanta Spirit Group
August 9th, 2011
8:26 am
Greetings, Mr. Meruelo.
You want us to buy into your new product?
You say some Atlanta Spirit Group members are still part of your new ownership group?
Well, in that case, [Expletive] You and your whole crew!!!!!
Those sons of feces like Gearon will N-E-V-E-R receive, directly or indirectly, another dime of my money.
Believe That.
Joey
August 9th, 2011
9:05 am
I bet as soon as the NBA is back to work, we get a new GM. Sund did good getting Jamal Crawford, but should never have sent Jordan Crawford away.
He’s gonna be a big star and could have stepped right in when we inevitably lose Jamal.
Crash001
August 9th, 2011
9:09 am
Eagle_Chria – The Hawks are under contract to play in Phillips Arena until 2028.
falconsjrt
August 9th, 2011
9:13 am
I see there is no loyalty to the hawks on here. Please give this new owner a chance everybody. I he is anything like the falcons owner authur blank (WHO TURNED THE FALCONS AROUND FROM THE JOKE OF NFL INTO A SMALL STEP AWAY FROM A ELITE TEAM AND SUPER BOWL TEAM!). The hawks will be a team that will be moving up to the elite class of the nba very shortly. Then everybody else will jump on the hawks band wagon. But TRUE hawks fans will support the team no matter what.