In New Orleans, Jimmy Smith noted while NBA Commissioner David Stern said that a deal with a new owner for the Hornets could be consummated by March 1, sources said that "that timetable might be ambitious." Stern confirmed that the new owner would be "agreeing to a deal with no escape clauses that keeps the Hornets in New Orleans for the duration of the new agreement." Former Hornets Minority Owner Gary Chouest and Saints Owner Tom Benson have been "identified as potential owners who placed bids for the franchise." There is also a group from the L.A. area, "fronted by former NBA coach Mike Dunleavy, that has made a bid." The state legislature "convenes in Baton Rouge" on March 12. If by that date the negotiations on a new lease "have finished, the legislature could act rather quickly on its approval, perhaps in the first week of the session" (NOLA.com, 2/22).
HOME AWAY FROM HOME: A Memphis COMMERCIAL-APPEAL editorial states Grizzlies Owner Michael Heisley, who is forming a local BOD that will "help the franchise strengthen its connection with the community," is "in many ways an ideal owner for Memphis." The editorial: "No, he's not a Memphian; he's not one of us. But he's a billionaire who can -- and has -- absorbed millions in losses over the years. He's also shown a willingness to spend big." The editorial continues, "Ideally, a Memphian -- or group of them -- will eventually emerge as a potential local owner. That will secure the franchise's future here beyond the contractual mandate that runs nearly another decade." But for now it is "good that Heisley is putting together a team to help, a team of local players who will care dearly about the outcome" (Memphis COMMERCIAL-APPEAL, 2/23).
CHEATING THE SYSTEM? In Oklahoma City, Berry Tramel wrote the Spurs "tanked a game Tuesday night" against the Trail Blazers and there is "no better way to say it." The team "played a game and didn't try to win." Spurs coach Gregg Popovich "rested his stars," F Tim Duncan and G Tony Parker. Tramel wrote the Spurs "cheated the networks. I know, NBATV isn't quite like TNT or ESPN. But these networks pay huge money for these television rights, and when we have a bogus game like Portland-San Antonio, it lessens the quality of the overall product" (NEWSOK.com, 2/22).
OFF-ICE SUCCESSES: In Buffalo, John Vogl cited Sabres sources as saying that "despite enduring a season with more lows than highs," team Owner Terry Pegula and his family are "still as engaged as they were that first day." Vogl writes away from the ice, the "successes in Year One outweighed the setbacks." Pegula "created a sense of nearly unmatched optimism last summer, acquiring players and handing out contracts that fans had wished for but never imagined possible." He "transformed the team's dressing room into a veritable palace." The Pegula family and team President Ted Black have "embraced voices from throughout the community, holding blogger summits and welcoming new media into the press box." In addition, the connection "between the team and its alumni has been strengthened" (BUFFALO NEWS, 2/23).
