It has been nearly a month since David McDavid signed a letter of intent to purchase the Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena operating rights from AOL Time Warner. And it is expected to be nearly another month before the sale -- estimated at $350 million to $400 million -- is completed. So the Fort Worth-based automobile tycoon wants to make it clear that he is not the owner -- yet.
But, "we will be surprised if it doesn't close," McDavid said Friday afternoon from the spacious glass office in one of his many car dealerships in Texas.
This two-story building stands behind a huge red and white sign that reads "David McDavid Auto Group" and is easy to spot on West Airport Freeway in Irving. McDavid is sitting at as his cherry wood conference table, where an autographed basketball and an autographed Dallas Cowboys helmet serve as the centerpieces. A rubber chicken, seemingly misplaced, is resting near a mound of paperwork.
Since there are "a few points" still to be resolved -- including the approval of both the NBA and the NHL -- McDavid can't outline his plans for a team that technically is still owned by AOL Time Warner. But he was quick to point out what he thinks the Hawks, Thrashers and their fans need.
"They need some love," McDavid said with his Texas twang. "Somebody needs to love those teams. If the owner doesn't love them, why should anybody else? Our vision is to embrace the community. Embrace our fans [and] do the best we can to bring the best people we can find to have a winning team.
"We think that AOL has done the best they can do. But we think because it will be our 'core business,' if you will. We're going to be involved and interested in it," McDavid said, leaning back in a green leather chair. "If we lose, we're going to bleed. And if we win, we're going to be happy. We're going to live and die with those teams."
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Nets assistant coach Eddie Jordan has been granted permission to interview with another team about its head coaching position sometime after the NBA Finals. Nets director of scouting Ed Stefanski may be on his way to Washington to take a job as Wizards general manager.
Most intriguingly, Stefanski may get hired in Washington and bring Jordan with him.
That was the fallout from a busy day in an NBA rumor mill that really got churning once the Wizards finally made it official and fired head coach Doug Collins.
Nets president Rod Thorn confirmed he had given approval to another NBA team to talk to Jordan about its head coaching vacancy, but Thorn would not say which team.
"We gave permission to talk at an appropriate time, yes," Thorn said. "I'm not going to say which team. There are nine possibilities."
There are nine teams with vacancies, but the Raptors, Hawks, Sixers and Clippers seem among the more likely candidates.
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New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers
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The NBA draft lottery Thursday was bad for the Hawks on two fronts.
First, they wound up empty-handed as the No. 8 pick went to the Milwaukee Bucks as compensation for the Glenn Robinson trade (given the Hawks' slim chances to get a top-three pick, that was pretty much expected.)
But second, and most importantly, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons won the No. 1 and No. 2 picks, respectively. Now two Central Division rivals will definitely be improved next season.
Via Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks May 2003 Archive
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Atlanta Journal Constitution | May 23, 2003
On the day he was fired, former Hawks general manager Pete Babcock joked that, considering the run of bad luck that expedited his exit, "the team will win the lottery" now that he's gone.
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| May 23, 2003
Remember the days when the Hawks picked out of the lottery because they had been to the playoffs?
This time, I knew it was different.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 22, 2003
Who can help the Hawks more: high school phenom LeBron James, Final Four Most Outstanding Player Carmelo Anthony or Yugoslavian youngster Darko Milicic? Hawks director of basketball operations Billy Knight would be happy to get any of them.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 21, 2003
Billy Knight is guaranteed two things: another year's salary from the Hawks and an expenses-paid trip to Secaucus, home of Thursday's NBA draft lottery for the right to draft LeBron James and supplement his $75 million contract with Reebok (give or take an insole).
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 21, 2003
Before heading up to Secaucus, N.
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New York Daily News | May 21, 2003
Nets president Rod Thorn says he has yet to receive any inquiries from teams looking to interview assistant coach Eddie Jordan for any vacant head coaching positions.
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Chicago Tribune | May 16, 2003
A Cook County jury convicted Atlanta Hawks basketball player Glenn Robinson on Thursday of domestic battery and assault charges involving his former fiance last summer in her Chicago Heights home.
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Michael Lee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 16, 2003
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 15, 2003
Hawks forward Glenn Robinson's domestic violence and gun possession trial will resume today in the Cook County courthouse in Markham, Ill.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 14, 2003
The court case that won't go away could find some resolution soon --- unless it is delayed, again.
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Portland Tribune | May 14, 2003
No wonder Luke Ridnour trusts Dan Dickau like his brother and talks with him nearly every week as he prepares for all the interviews, tryouts and business decisions associated with the NBA draft.
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The Times-Picayune | May 11, 2003
One little press release has created as much fallout around the NBA as a 1950s-era nuclear weapons test in the Nevada desert.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 9, 2003
Former Hawks general manager and executive vice president Pete Babcock said Thursday he is interested in making a return to the league in some capacity sooner rather than later.
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Atlanta Journal Constitution | May 8, 2003
McDavid now faces approval procedure
David McDavid, the Hawks' and Thrashers' owner-to-be, has been in New York the past two days.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 7, 2003
There will be a meeting today between Michael Jordan and Washington owner Abe Pollin and probably a few less significant millionaires.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 6, 2003
David McDavid will join a growing fraternity when he buys the Hawks and Thrashers --- car dealers-turned-sports owners.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 3, 2003
AOL Time Warner's deal with Texas businessman David McDavid for the sale of the Hawks, Thrashers and the Philips Arena operating rights is valued at $350 million to $400 million, people familiar with the agreement told the Journal-Constitution Friday.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 2, 2003
Let's start with what David McDavid shouldn't do as owner of the Hawks and the Thrashers, and that is stay away.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 2, 2003
He plans to hire an experienced general manager for the Hawks "and let him work his magic on the rest of the organization.
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Atlanta Journal/Constitution | May 2, 2003
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Michael Lee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 2, 2003
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Atlanta Journal/Constitution | May 1, 2003
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Atlanta Journal/Constitution | May 1, 2003
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Atlanta Journal/Constitution | May 1, 2003
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Atlanta Journal/Constitution | May 1, 2003
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 1, 2003
Players were cautiously optimistic about news of the possible ownership change for the Hawks and Thrashers.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | May 1, 2003
Better than a blank slate, the new owner of the Hawks and Thrashers has a Blank Blueprint.
