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Stern Expects Prokhorov To Complete His
Purchase Of Nets As Early As This Week |
NBA Commissioner David Stern last night said that George Shinn's prospective sale of the Hornets to Gary Chouest is "far from certain," according to Sam Amick of FANHOUSE.com. Speaking prior to last night's Lakers-Jazz game, Stern said, "It's taking a long long time for George and Gary Chouest to reach an agreement, and every time there's not an agreement it's possible there won't be an agreement. So we'll see how that goes. ... It's not a given at all." Meanwhile, Stern said that he expects Mikhail Prokhorov to complete his purchase of the Nets "as early as this week," and noted that Chris Cohan's effort to sell the Warriors "has a much longer timeline." Stern: "All I know is that there's a (financial) book that's being delivered (from Cohan) to interested parties, and I think there are interested parties. I think there's going to be robust expressions of interest. At least I hope there will be." He added, "Do I think the month of May or month of June for a signed agreement (is reasonable)? Maybe. Not a closing (agreement), but an agreement? It's a speedy schedule, but I would hope that it's possible" (FANHOUSE.com, 5/11). However, in New Orleans, Jimmy Smith cites sources as saying that Chouest is "still expected to become" the Hornets' majority owner, despite Stern's indication that a deal with Shinn is in jeopardy. Sources contend that there is "nothing to indicate that the deal would not be consummated." Chouest has been "interviewing potential head coaching candidates for the last week" alongside GM Jeff Bower and President Hugh Weber, and "no formal announcement of the ownership transfer has yet taken place, primarily because Chouest has been traveling" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 5/11).
THE PING-PONG SONG: The Hornets have teamed with the Louisiana Lottery for the “Pay the Pick” promotion, under which fans who place an initial $100 payment “per seat for season tickets in select locations” before 12:00pm CT on May 18 will be eligible to “purchase season tickets at a per game price equal to the number pick the Hornets receive in the Draft Lottery” later that evening (NOLA.com, 5/10).
