Judge Delays Decision Over Atlanta Spirit Ownership Flap

In Atlanta, Bob Kemper reports Maryland Circuit Court Judge Eric Johnson “put off his decision” in the Atlanta Spirit ownership fight, “saying he was too busy with a jury trial to declare any winners.” Johnson did not indicate when he will make a decision. John Fabiano, an attorney for Atlanta Spirit co-Owner Steve Belkin, argued that Belkin was “entitled to buy out his partners because they failed to close a deal in which they were supposed to buy out” his 30% stake. But Bruce Marcus, an attorney for Belkin’s partners, argued that he was “just trying to rush the legal process ... because [he] stood to make a huge profit on his $11.7[M] investment” under a buyout (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 3/28).

Sexual Harassment Suit To Drag Into Next Season?

KNICKS: In N.Y., Robert Gearty reports Manhattan Federal Court Judge Gerald Lynch “ordered a jury trial, but did not set a date” in the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former Knicks Senior VP/Marketing & Business Operations Anucha Browne Sanders against MSG and Knicks President of Basketball Operations Isiah Thomas. But the schedule will “make it impossible for a trial to be heard anytime soon.” Lynch ordered motions to be filed by November 3, which is the start of the ’06-07 NBA season (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/28).

CAVS: In Cleveland, Joseph Wagner reports the Cavaliers want to build a $20M practice facility in Independence, Ohio, as part of a “revolutionary agreement that calls for the suburb to share the income tax with Cleveland.” Quicken Loans Arena CEO Mark Stornes said that if approved, the facility “could be ready” in the summer of ’07. The team currently practices at Quicken Loans Arena (PLAIN DEALER, 3/28). Also in Cleveland, Roger Brown noted the Cavaliers this season have “obsessively micro-manag[ed] what team fans see and hear.” The team told PA announcer Ronnie Duncan to “stop using his creative call” for G Eric Snow; TV broadcaster Michael Reghi was “chastised by a team official for noting, on the air, that [G] Damon Jones and head coach Mike Brown were exchanging words on the sidelines”; and staffers “were directed to stop using music by Usher, the [Cavaliers] part-owner who’s largely disappeared this season” (PLAIN DEALER, 3/26).

MAGIC: In Orlando, Brian Schmitz reports Magic F Grant Hill has spoken with Magic President & CEO Bob Vander Weide about the team “possibly offering him a buyout and a place in the organization, perhaps in ownership” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/28).