Thread Tools

Display Modes

ABM · 06-10-2006, 05:57 AM

Quote:

NBA Commissioner David Stern said Friday that this week's agreement between the Trail Blazers and the Rose Garden to explore a joint sale was "a positive development" that makes it more likely the team will stay in Portland.

Stern also said in a phone interview that the league will send names of prospective buyers to the investment bankers handling the possible sale of Portland's only major-league sports franchise and its arena.

He declined to comment on two potential bidders that have announced their interest and wouldn't address the possibility that other suitors might seek to buy and relocate the team. But he said "the league's first choice is to maintain the team in Portland," adding that "if there are buyers willing to keep the team in Portland, and we think they are, that would be the most likely scenario.".....

**Zybot** · 06-10-2006, 07:14 AM

Good News!

**BBert** · 06-10-2006, 07:29 AM

If you want your Blazers news at 7:00 a.m. Pacific time, on a Saturday, count on ABM!

Hey, ABM!

**shookem** · 06-10-2006, 07:45 AM

Good news, I hope the team stays. As long as fans show up for games, the team should be there.

**Dan** · 06-10-2006, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shookem

Good news, I hope the team stays. As long as fans show up for games, the team should be there.

once the rg contract situation is fixed and under "one roof", the amount of fans going to the games won't be AS necessary as people think. This was never about the lack of support (altho the small #'s look bad) but the lack of $$ coming in from the rg regardless of what event is happening @ the rg.

**Zybot** · 06-10-2006, 08:55 AM

David Stern is not as committal in this hilarious interview. Maybe it has already been posted..

http://www.oregonlive.com/weblogs/pl...06.html#149841

ABM · 06-10-2006, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blazer Bert

If you want your Blazers news at 7:00 a.m. Pacific time, on a Saturday, count on ABM!

Hey, ABM!

Good Morning, BB!

Hey, anything I can do to help.

ABM · 06-10-2006, 10:38 AM

From Jung's blog...

Quote:

David Stern interview transcript
So... I'm trying not to take it personally that David Stern, commissioner of the NBA, seemed a bit cranky on the phone with me this morning. After all, he was calling from Dallas, where he just had answered questions from lots of reporters including John Canzano -- and from personal experience, I can say that that could make anyone cranky. And to be fair, we did ask him some of the same questions.

Grouchy remarks aside (some of which you couldn't help but laugh), he offered some insight and perspective on the Trail Blazers' situation -- in between his one-word answers. Story in tomorrow's Oregonian.

Below is a transcript of the interview with Stern and NBA's chief legal officer Joel Litvin. I edited out some ums, you knows, a clarification on who was talking and a request to repeat a question.

Oregonian: Thanks, Commissioner, for making time to talk with me today. I really appreciate it. Just wanted to ask you a few questions about some of the developments here in Portland. And I'm assuming Vulcan and/or Portland Arena Management has spoken with you about their agreement.
Stern: Yes.

Oregonian: You didn't have to find out about it from the cryptic Gordian knot of a press release that went out?
Litvin: No, no they kept us apprised during their negotiations and discussions with PAM.

Oregonian: In your opinion does the agreement to put the two on the market together pretty much ensure that the team will stay in Portland?
Stern: We hope so. All that we can do is hope. But we think that, we believe that there will be interested purchasers.

Oregonian: Both from in the area and outside the area?
Stern: Yes.

Oregonian: And as well as owners who would want to move the team?
Stern: Well, that I can't say.

Oregonian: How confident are you that the arena and the team together will find a suitable new owner? In other words do you anticipate there might be buyers who will seek to separate the two?
Stern: No.

(Click to read more)
Oregonian: So you do see this as the two will be purchased together.
Stern: Yes.

Oregonian: But that wouldn't rule out relocating the team?
Stern: I can tell you that because the league's first choice is to maintain the team in Portland, if there are buyers willing to keep the team in Portland, and we think they are, that would be the most likely scenario.
Litvin: Plus it has a multi-year lease in Portland.

Oregonian: There have been a couple names that have surfaced. Terry Porter is leading a group and I understand you have met with them I guess a couple months ago.
Stern: Don't even start. We're not going to go over names.

Oregonian: OK, so you don't want to comment on Terry Porter, Mark Wattles...
Stern: I'm not going to comment on anybody because there's about to be hopefully lots of different groups and we don't want to single out any one group.

Oregonian: OK. Also, there's a report out of LA that the Anaheim Mighty Ducks owner, Dr. Samueli, is interested in the Blazers. My question is could the LA area, Southern California area support three NBA franchises?
Stern: Good question.

Oregonian: Do you have an answer?
Stern: No.

Oregonian: Is that something that ...
Stern: That the board of governors is authorized to consider when there's a request to relocate a franchise.

Oregonian: I'm sorry, that's up to the ...
Stern: That's something that's reserved in the province of the board of governors to decide to determine if there's ever a request to relocate a franchise.

Oregonian: How personally involved do you expect to be in identifying a potential buyer for the Trail Blazers?
Stern: I think that we have identified a number and they will be turned over to the investment bankers that are handling this.

Oregonian: And what is the league's role typically in the sale of a team. Do you usually help identify prospective buyers?
Litvin: No not typically. We typically are presented with a proposed sale. Our owners typically find buyers on their own, typically, not always. And once they make a deal they submit it to us for review by the owners.
Stern: Joel's speaking as a lawyer. Speaking as a deal adviser, we introduced Mr. (Robert) Sarver to Jerry Colangelo. We introduced Dan Gilbert to the Cavaliers. We introduced George Shin to Oklahoma City. So whereas the lawyers get it in its completed state, as commissioner whenever a prospective purchaser wants to talk about investing in the NBA he's always welcome in the commissioner's office.

Oregonian: How soon can something get done? Or how soon do you expect a deal to get done?
Stern: We have no expectation.

Oregonian: Can something happen before the draft?
Stern: We have no expectation.

Oregonian: And if there is a proposed buyer that has been identified and a deal is in the works, could that buyer take any action on behalf of the team without the deal being fully closed?
Stern: No.

Oregonian: And have you spoken with Paul Allen? Are you convinced that he is definitely willing to leave the team behind?
Stern: That's not our specialty.

Oregonian: OK, but has he indicated to you that he is ready to part ways with the Blazers
Stern: He has indicated that he wants to do what's best for the city of Portland and the people of Portland.

Stern: Do you have notes here or are you just making this up now?
Oregonian: Both.
Stern: Ok, well hurry up.
Oregonian: Well, just a few more.

Oregonian: Can you describe what makes for a good NBA owner? For instance Do you prefer individuals over the investors group...
Stern: By the way you'll turn to NBA.com when the transcript from my press conference gets posted. (An NBA spokesman noted that "Jason Canzano" asked the same question.)
Litvin: Your colleague asked that exact question.
Oregonian: Yeah. I wasn't positive I was going to get some time with you.

Oregonian: And...
Stern: Clock is ticking...

Oregonian: How much is this combined entity worth?
Stern: A lot. Definitely worth a lot.

OregonianFor instance there was that letter from a while ago when you mentioned $300 million plus.
Stern: I think that's still with an emphasis on the plus absolutely.

Oregonian: And...
Stern: Don't rush, you have five seconds.

Oregonian: Anything else that you would want to say about where things are going or what the league's commitment is to Portland>

Stern: Overall we think these announcements are positive developments and we look forward to it being a first step in ensuring that the team stays in Portland for many years to come.

Also...

Quote:

To read his response to what makes a good owner and other interesting answers, read the transcript from his Friday press conference in Dallas:

http://www.asapsports.com/basketball.../060906DS.html

wastro · 06-10-2006, 11:04 AM

Good news, but until the team and Rose Garden is signed, sealed and delivered to an owner committed to keeping the Blazers in Portland, I wouldn't get too excited.

2k · 06-10-2006, 12:48 PM

lets all pitch in and buy the Blazers.

I got five on it

Thread Tools Display Modes

Thread Tools

Display Modes