Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed "insists the Hawks will stay in Atlanta even with the pending sale of the controlling interest in the franchise," according to Chris Vivlamore of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Reed yesterday said that the city will "play a role in finding a new owner." He added that he has "spoken to six prospective buyers, all whom have the financial resources to acquire the team." Reed said that outgoing Majority Partner Bruce Levenson owns 24% of the Hawks "individually." Together with Partner Ed Peskowitz, "who will also sell," and Todd Foreman the group owns 50.1%. Reed said that co-Owners Michael Gearon Jr., Michael Gearon Sr. and Rutherford Seydel "intend to keep their stake in the team." Reed: "That means that a prospective owner that receives my support, and I believe the support of the Atlanta City Council, will make a long-term commitment to keep the Atlanta Hawks in the city of Atlanta and will make a long-term commitment not to move the franchise. I want to publically state from the city’s perspective that is going to be our perspective to whomever the prospective owners are.” Reed declined to "name the list of prospective buyers" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 9/17).
PLAYING BASE-KETBALL? In Atlanta, Maria Saporta writes the Braves' November announcement that they are leaving downtown for a new ballpark in Cobb County "caught the city off-guard." But it was "readily apparent" yesterday that Reed "wasn’t going to let another professional sports team leave the city under his watch -- if he could help it" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/17). Also in Atlanta, Leslie & Trubey write Reed "ratcheted up the ongoing drama between his office and the Braves by linking the city’s ability to keep the Hawks in Atlanta with the uncertainty of when the baseball club will exit Turner Field." Reed said that "finding a new controlling owner for the Hawks could require financial help from the city." He added that selling Turner Field "could provide those funds." Per their contract, the Braves have until the end of '15 to "notify the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority whether the team wants a five-year lease extension." Reed: “We have hosted the Braves for 49 years. I don’t think it’s being unreasonable to ask for negotiating an exit in an expeditious fashion. ... For some reason we can’t get an honest answer on a departure date" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 9/17).
HUMAN HIGHLIGHT FILM: The JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION's Vivlamore reports Basketball HOFer Dominique Wilkins "will have a statue of his likeness erected outside Philips Arena next year." A group has contracted sculptor Brian Hanlon to do the art work "many believe long over due." Hanlon worked with Wilkins when he "created the bust" for his '06 HOF enshrinement. The sculpture will be "unveiled on March 6" when the Hawks host the Cavaliers. The statue will be "placed in a yet-to-be determined spot outside the front of Philips Arena in a very visible location" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 9/17).
