The Times-Picayune's Jimmy Smith has a new report that says the New Orleans Hornets could have a new owner in place as soon as Friday, as the NBA is deciding between two potential ownership groups.
The league is currently holding its Board of Governors meeting in New York, and while Sacramento's arena situation is the most high-profile issue still to be resolved, Smith reports that a sale of the league-owned Hornets is also being discussed. One prospective ownership group is headed by California swimwear manufacturer Raj Bhathal, while the other is led by New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson.
On March 16, the Hornets and the state of Louisiana announced an extension of the team's lease, which will keep them in New Orleans through at least 2024, effectively eliminating any prospective buyers who wanted to move the team to another city.
New Orleans is a tough town for any sports except Saints. Hope the new owners embrace the peculiar aspects of NO and jazz-up the Hornets. They need help; they need a GM who knows how to buy talent.