In Atlanta, Maria Saporta reports the Hawks' front office has “disbanded its ‘board of ambassadors’ -- a one-year-old coalition of business and civic leaders aimed at generating community support” for the team. The group -- which “included about three dozen leaders from all walks of life -- was hoping to build stronger bridges between the business community” and the Hawks with the “long-term goal of selling more season tickets, selling more corporate sponsorships and generating excitement in the team.” The decision to disband was announced two days after Hawks CEO Steve Koonin “had a meeting with about 500 season ticket holders and loyal fans of the club” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/28).
MANHATTAN LOVE STORY: In N.Y., Frank Isola notes TNT's Charles Barkley yesterday "sounded optimistic" regarding the Knicks' future because he believes team Owner James Dolan will "stay true to his word and won’t interfere" with President Phil Jackson. Barkley said, "You have to give him a chance. This is the first time in a long time that I think Mr. Dolan is probably going to stay out of it. He’s been too hands on." Isola notes Jackson recently "admitted that Dolan was involved in the day-to-day operations of the club in previous years but claimed he was forced to interfere when things weren’t working out" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/28).
IN ANOTHER TAX BRACKET: The FINANCIAL TIMES' Massoudi & Livsey reported Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer "stands to gain as much as" $1B in tax benefits as a result of his $2B purchase of the team, "helping to explain why the Microsoft billionaire paid a record price for the club." Ballmer "could claim about half of the purchase price in current terms over the next 15 years against his taxable income." The credits "can be claimed under a little-known feature of the tax code covering so-called active owners of sports franchises" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 10/27).
