USA TODAY's Falgoust & Kaplan report a "minority business group has bid to purchase" Atlanta Spirit for $500M. The CEOs of Global Wellington Financial and Oriana Capital Partners "made a bid May 20" to acquire the Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena before the '11-12 NBA season. The new ownership group would be called W/C Holdings. Atlanta Spirit is "in the process of selling the NHL franchise" to True North Sports & Entertainment, so when the Thrashers “officially vacate, the bid then would be adjusted downward" (USA TODAY, 6/10).
BACK IN THE GAME: In L.A., Mark Medina reported after a one-year hiatus, the L.A. D-Fenders will return to the NBA D-League next season, "albeit with a change of venue.” The D-Fenders, the lone affiliate of the Lakers, will play their home games at the Lakers’ practice facility, Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, a “switch from the previous routine of playing at Staples Center four hours before Lakers regular-season games.” Last season, the Lakers and Clippers both used the Bakersfield Jam as their D-League affiliates. With the D-Fenders’ return, the D-League now “features seven teams with lone NBA affiliates” (LATIMES.com, 6/9).
BEANE BALL: The A's on Thursday fired manager Bob Geren, and SI.com's Ann Killion wrote, "Change, any change that will shake things up, is welcome news for the beleaguered A’s. The team has been mired in mediocrity for years, management seemingly unconcerned about mounting losses and dwindling crowds, a lost era for a once proud franchise. Owners Lew Wolff and John Fisher seem oblivious, waiting for a magical solution that will get them a new stadium in San Jose and solve their problems. Intertia and apathy have been the A’s trademarks” (SI.com, 6/9).
