Reports have surfaced that Atlanta Spirit ownership group—majority owners of both the Hawks and Thrashers—is pursuing the sale of the city’s NBA franchise. If the sale were to go through, early signs indicate the team would stay in Atlanta. From the AJC: “Two people familiar with the situation, both of whom asked not to be identified because of the ongoing talks, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the Spirit and outgoing San Diego Padres owner John Moores are in an exclusive negotiating period regarding the Hawks and the Philips Arena operating rights. Both people said a deal is not close and that it’s far from assured one will get done. The exclusive negotiating period means the owners agreed not to pursue the sale of the Hawks to any other prospective purchaser for a prescribed period of time. It is not known when Moores’ exclusivity expires. Moores did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.”
Moores did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
