Before the Celtics vs Lakers game, Kobe Bryant addressed the Staple Center crowd to say a few word about the late Jerry Buss and he led the arena in a moment of silence. Classy.
Trackback“He had such a big heart, I have lost my second father. I have lost one of my best friends.” – Magic Johnson, on the passing of Lakers owner Jerry Buss
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The SuperSonics are almost back and Chris Hansen (pending approval from NBA owners) will be the person Seattle residences will have to thank if the $525 million deal becomes official. Artist Justin Bridge pays tribute to the man with this Shepard Fairey inspired portrait of the man that could bring basketball back to The Emerald City.
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Unpopular man in Vancouver Michael Heisley reached an agreement in principle to sell the Memphis Grizzlies to 34-year old communications technology magnate Robert Pera, who currently sits 34th on Forbes’ list of the 10 youngest billionaires in the world.
“I think he’ll be a good owner,” Heisley told FoxSports.com. “He’s young. He’s in his 30s. I think he loves basketball. And I think he’s financially very well off. I think he’ll be an excellent owner, but that’s a job for the NBA to decide.”
“I want to make this really clear,” Heisley added. “The league has not approved this (sale). This is at least a 30-to-60-day process.”
If approved, the Ubiquiti Networks Inc. CEO will shell out around $350 million for the club.
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The Magic fired coach Stan Van Gundy and split with general manager Otis Smith on Monday, the culmination of a season in which Orlando was ensnared in a long-running soap opera with Dwight Howard and made another first-round playoff exit.
“It’s time for new leadership and new voices,” Magic CEO Alex Martins said in a statement. “The disappointment of getting eliminated in the first round of the playoffs these past two seasons played a primary role in our decision, as we feel our momentum towards winning a championship has paused.”
Smith and Van Gundy’s problematic relationship with Howard weighed down the team all season after the all-star centre requested a trade.
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Tom Benson brought stability to the Saints nearly three decades ago and now plans to do the same for the Hornets in small-market New Orleans. The Saints’ owner agreed Friday to purchase the Hornets from the NBA.
“We expect this club to be one of the most outstanding clubs in the league, otherwise I don’t want to get involved,” Benson said. “This is just a good thing and I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
A person familiar with the deal says the purchase price is $338 million. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the financial terms have not been announced.
H/N ESPN
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Soon to be former owner Frank McCourt announced an agreement on Monday to sell the bankrupt Los Angeles Dodgers for $2 billion to an ownership group that includes Lakers legend Magic Johnson. However, the sale is still subject to approval in federal bankruptcy court. In a statement made after the agreement, Johnson was excited about his new ball club.
“I am thrilled to be part of the historic Dodger franchise and intend to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Frank McCourt as we drive the Dodgers back to the front page of the sports section in our wonderful community of Los Angeles”
The acquiring group, called Guggenheim Baseball Management, includes Mandalay Entertainment chief executive Peter Guber plus former Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals president Stan Kasten.
Back in 2010, Magic Johnson sold his small ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong.
H/N LA Times
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