Spurs Chair & CEO Peter Holt's decision to hand over his titles to his wife Julianna may have "come as a shock to many," but it "wasn't a surprise" to Spurs Sports & Entertainment co-CEO Rick Pych, according to W. Scott Bailey of the SAN ANTONIO BUSINESS JOURNAL. Pych said it was "something that has been in the works for a while now." Pych: "As a family, they decided to swap roles. They just decided that it was time for Julianna to be chairman for a while." He called the transition "seamless," Pych: "Nothing is going to change. They have always jointly owned the Spurs." Bailey noted Peter Holt will still have a "key role" with the team, which is governed by a "board of managers who represent all of the investors." Pych insisted that Holt's decision will not threaten "the stability which has allowed the Spurs to flourish" and will allow Julianna Holt to "shine in her new role" (BIZJOURNALS.com 3/10). In San Antonio, Tom Orsborn notes Pych promised that "business will continue as usual," despite the "odd timing of the announcement." Pych said that Holt's "self-admitted alcoholism was not a factor in his decision." Pych: "This is a family decision. Peter is still going to be active as a manager." Sources said that Julianna Holt "is well positioned to take on the more active role." Spurs investor Stephen Lang said Julianna has "been as involved as Peter has been." Lang: "He has always been open to her input. Peter was the one who took the public stance, but Julianna has been very supportive behind the scenes" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 3/11).
COPY CATS: In DC, Tim Bontemps notes that many teams over the past two decades have attempted to duplicate the Spurs' model, but they have "failed to understand the most significant factor in a successful NBA franchise: strong, stable ownership." There has been "no stronger and more stable leader" than Peter Holt during the past 20 years. The Spurs "wouldn't be the Spurs if they hadn't been led" by Holt's steady hand. The Spurs' trademark has been "patience from the top of the organization down, and a willingness to empower" basketball decision makers (WASHINGTON POST, 3/11).
