American-born Saudi Princess Thara Baselia Saud "has
talked to" Michael Jordan and his agent David Falk "in
recent days in an attempt to convince" Jordan to invest $25M
and become a minority partner in "her investment group as
she prepares to submit today a preliminary bid for the
Nuggets," according to sources of Richard Wilner of the N.Y.
POST. Wilner: "With or without Jordan, the Princess is
expected to make the bid." Saud has also "enlisted" former
NBPA Exec Dir, "and Jordan pal," Charles Grantham into her
group to "ease any apprehension in Denver." The Princess,
who currently owns a pro basketball team in Italy, is "one
of four investors expected to meet today's deadline for
submitting" a bid for the Nuggets (N.Y. POST, 7/21).
ELWAY'S ROLE: In Denver, John Accola reports that John
Elway hopes that he, Erik Borgen and George Gillette can
"construct an offer" for the Nuggets, Avalanche and Pepsi
Center "as early as this week." A "source" said that Elway
could contribute $5M to the bid, but what he "brings to the
table is his name and cachet." However, Elway's business
manager Jeff Sperbeck said that "to date ... the three have
not formed an official partnership." Sperbeck: "There is no
agreement at this time (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 7/21).
