March 2010 New Orleans Pelicans Wiretap

Jackson Questions Where 'Final Say' On A Chris Paul Trade Would Come

Dec 30, 2010 7:30 PM

Phil Jackson says he's "not happy" about the NBA's ownership of the Hornets and is not optimistic about the possibility of the team remaining in New Orleans.

Jackson also commented on how the NBA's takeover raises questions about where the final say on a Chris Paul trade, should it happen, comes from.

Orange County Register

Tags: Chris Paul, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

Discuss
Hornets Grant Green Leave After Family Tragedy

Dec 21, 2010 4:47 PM

The Hornets have granted Willie Green an extended leave from the team to be with his family after his sister and cousin were killed in a car accident.

The tragedy occurred just hours after his family watched him play against the Pistons on Sunday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

"I talked to him this morning, and I talked to him again about 3:30 p.m., and he didn't sound down at all," coach Monty Williams said Monday. "For him to go through something like this, you don't want to say. It's unfair but unexpected, and we're going to support him."

After receiving information about the incident, Green left for Detroit to be with his family.

The Hornets don't know when Green will return to the team.

Times-Picayune

Tags: New Orleans Pelicans, NBA

Discuss
Board Of Governors Approves NBA's Purchase Of Hornets

Dec 20, 2010 5:22 PM

The NBA's purchase of the Hornets has been completed following approval by the NBA's Board of Governors.

As previously announced, Jac Sperling, a New Orleans native and sports executive with over 20 years of sports-industry experience, will serve as the team's chairman and representative on the league's Board of Governors.  

Team President Hugh Weber will continue directing the day-to-day activities of the team.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: New Orleans Pelicans, NBA

Discuss
Monty Williams Knew Hornets Were Playing 'Over Their Heads'

Dec 20, 2010 7:50 AM

The Hornets won 11 of their first 12 games, a rate of success that coach Monty Williams didn't expect the team to sustain.

After their hot start, New Orleans dropped nine of 12 to fall back down to earth.

"Fair? It was reality," Williams said when asked if it was fair to say that the team was playing over its head.

"Playing over your head, I don't have an issue with that. I have an issue with not giving that over-your-head effort every night. We've played over our heads and we've played under our butts the last 2? weeks."

Williams noticed that the Hornets seemed to get cocky after their hot start and teams adapted by trying to force David West and Chris Paul to do everything.

"I was upset at myself because I didn't harp on the basics and fundamentals through the streak," Williams said. "I waited on game seven or eight to get back to, 'Hey, look, these are the things we need to get back to. We're winning games, but we are not doing, X, Y and Z.' And it bit us."

Paul agreed.

"We are not the most talented team. We're not the Boston Celtics or the Lakers. We got to play hard and we got to play smart. Some teams if they play hard, they're going to win. We can play hard and play smart and we still might lose."

Marc J. Spears/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: New Orleans Pelicans, NBA

Discuss
Mayor, Governor Confident Hornets Will Stay In New Orleans

Dec 14, 2010 7:18 AM

A potential ownership group for the Hornets based in New Orleans is taking shape, leading politicians to believe that the franchise will remain in Louisiana.

"The big message is: The future of the Hornets in the City of New Orleans is in our hands," New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said.

Landrieu and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal met with regional politicians, business leaders and the heads of economic development groups and chambers of commerce to discuss the future of the franchise that majority owner George Shinn is selling to the NBA.

"We've got a number of business leaders that are more than willing to step up to the plate and help put a coalition together to buy the team and keep them in New Orleans," Jindal said. "I'm not worried about other communities or other potential purchasers at this point."

NBA commissioner David Stern has said that the goal is to try first to identify buyers who could help the team stay in New Orleans.

ESPN

Tags: New Orleans Pelicans, NBA

Discuss
Chouest Still Interested In Hornets

Dec 11, 2010 9:17 AM

Outgoing Hornets minority owner Gary Chouest remains as interested in keeping the franchise in New Orleans as he was when he first invested in the team.

"As far as my future involvement, the purpose hasn't changed as to why I invested from Day 1," Chouest said. "The same situation still exists and the same reasoning for continuing to support the team still exists."

NBA commissioner David Stern announced on Monday that the league is purchasing 100 percent of the team, pending anticipated approval by the league's board of governors.

A Louisiana native whose company supplies vessels to the offshore energy industry, Chouest bought 25 percent of the Hornets when the club returned to New Orleans in 2007 following a two-season stint in Oklahoma City.

Last spring, Chouest neared a deal to take full control, but negotiations with majority owner George Shinn stalled.

ESPN

Tags: New Orleans Pelicans, NBA

Discuss
NBA Executive: Plan Is To Keep Hornets Local

Dec 8, 2010 7:33 AM

The executive picked by the NBA to oversee the sale of the Hornets after the league's impending takeover of the team says that his assignment is to make the club more attractive to a buyer who would keep the team in Louisiana.

Jac Sperling, a sports attorney who is also vice chairman of the NHL's Minnesota Wild, was born and raised in New Orleans.

He was appointed by NBA commissioner David Stern.

"I grew up here. [Stern] asked me to help," Sperling said. "Read into that what you want, but I think the commissioner, he's been very positive about this city going back to when the team was awarded in 2002, [then moving the team back from Oklahoma City] after Katrina ... and also the awarding of the 2008 All-Star game.

"We're in a difficult spot, yes, but I think his selection of me is a further indication of what is in his mind. He wants to try to make this asset more attractive so perhaps a local buyer will step up."

ESPN

Tags: New Orleans Pelicans, NBA

Discuss
Source: Hornets Could Move To Kansas City

Dec 7, 2010 4:27 PM

There is reason to believe that the NBA is looking into the possibility of moving the Hornets to Kansas City, a league source told Sam Amick of FanHouse.

The Sprint Center was built in Kansas City just three years ago.

The NBA is following through with plans to take ownership of the Hornets, who will become the first team ever to be owned by the league.

FanHouse

Tags: New Orleans Pelicans, NBA

Discuss
Stern Confirms NBA Takeover Of Hornets

Dec 7, 2010 7:21 AM

NBA commissioner David Stern confirmed on Monday that the league is moving forward with its plan to buy the Hornets from majority owner George Shinn and minority owner Gary Chouest.

Shinn has been trying to sell the team to Chouest for months, but talks have stalled.

"George Shinn has been an exceptional owner for New Orleans and Gary Chouest has been extraordinarily supportive as a minority owner," Stern said. "However, in light of the uncertain economic situation in New Orleans and Louisiana, Gary has decided not to move forward with the purchase of George's majority interest.

"In the absence of any viable purchaser seeking to own the Hornets in New Orleans, I recommended to the NBA Board of Governors that the best way to assure stability and the adequate funding of the franchise would be for the league to step in, and complete the transaction and assume control."

The Hornets will be the first NBA team owned by the league.

Stern did not say what the NBA is paying for the club but did say the franchise "has been valued in excess of $300 million."

ESPN

Tags: New Orleans Pelicans, NBA

Discuss
NBA Has Deal To Buy Hornets

Dec 6, 2010 7:23 AM

Hornets owner George Shinn has agreed to sell the team to the NBA and the transaction could be completed within a couple days, according to a source.

The league has hired New Orleans-born sports attorney Jac Sperling to be the NBA's administrator of the team and oversee its sale to a more permanent owner.

Hornets president Hugh Weber will continue overseeing day-to-day operations of what will be the first NBA team to be owned by the league.

Shinn has been in negotiations to sell the team to minority owner and Louisiana native Gary Chouest since last spring, but talks have been stalled for months.

Yahoo! Sports

Tags: New Orleans Pelicans, NBA

Discuss
Sources: NBA Set To Take Over Hornets

ESPN

Sources: NBA Considering Purchase Of Hornets

ESPN

Paul Doesn't Regret 'Big Three' Toast At Anthony's Wedding

New York Post