Invitation Cards Lohri

L'Nba compra i New Orleans Hornets

http://www.ilmessaggero.it/articolo.php?id=129816

Gabriele Santoro

ROME (December 7) - The NBA in the sign of its glossy visionary commissioner David Stern is going to carry out a potentially revolutionary, just to understand each other as if the Football Association, that all the teams in Serie A, Roma buy that is for sale. Only thing missing is the go-ahead defined vo, expected to vote next week with the NBA's Board of Governors (meeting of the owners), the purchase by the same American League of his own team, the New Orleans Hornets Marco Belinelli. Following the resignation of Gary Chouest, a minority shareholder of the franchise, to acquire the shares of owner George Shinn, who wanted to sell, and if no other buyers interested in franchises has become available to purchase. The amount of the deal is around $ 300 million divided equally and will keep the team in New Orleans slowly recovering from the disaster of Hurricane Katrina.

The NBA bet on the revival of the local economy in five years by the hurricane that destroyed 80% of New Orleans and in the environmental disaster caused by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico leave the city without basketball. The other team is the representative of the NFL New Orleans Saints (American football). The main center of Louisiana is slowly being repopulated and today has approximately 363 000 residents compared to 455mila half of 2005. But the sense of abandonment and anger at the culprits in helping the Bush administration's delays and promises ancora non mantenute dalla presidenza Obama restano più che mai vivi.

Nella storia dello sport a stelle e strisce c’è un precedente: nel novembre 2001 la Major League Baseball comprò i Montreal Expos per 120 milioni di dollari vendendola e ricollocandola dopo quattro anni a 450 milioni con i Washington Nationals. L’obiettivo dell’Nba è lo stesso, ma guarda anche oltre all’eventuale guadagno derivante dalla futura cessione. Le franchigie e Stern non sembrano avere nessuna fretta nel trovare un acquirente: la squadra e l’indotto derivante potrebbero diventare un investimento per tutta l’Nba. Nei tifosi degli Hornets, che sui forum si sono espressi in posizione reliable than this transaction, the interest is mixed with fear of a new 2005 trasloco.Nel the consequences of Katrina were forced to transfer to Oklahoma City for two seasons, to return to Louisiana in 2007.

David Stern first thank George Shinn, a fundamental figure for the existence of the Hornets. 'Owner George Shinn was an extraordinary New Orleans. In front of the uncertain economic situation and prospects of the city and decided to Louisiana not to continue investing. " Then he explains the choice of the NBA. "In the absence of I convinced the NBA owners buyers that the assumption of control was the best way to ensure stability and profits even after resolution of the issue of ownership. Will prove an excellent investment for the league and improve the financial condition of all the franchises. " Finally discusses the prospects for the club. "The current management is of the absolute level and we have designated Jac Sperling, a native of New Orleans and sailed leader in the sports-business, as president. Government authorities were informed of the transaction and will now begin a fruitful relationship with the new owners to find a fertile ground for investment. " The current Hornets' season is the big game, 11 wins and one defeat, only to suffer a slowdown. There's a top player as the best NBA point guard Chris Paul of the League, as a good coach Monty Williams and all the ingredients to fight for a place in the coming playoffs. The show can continue and the NBA confirmed once again all of their vision that combines sports and business.