And we still expect an appeal in there somewhere after this is all done...
The AJC's Kristi E. Swartz wraps up the two-week trial for us with no real shocks...
Both sides still think they're right, and still don't like each other very much...
"...lawyers will return on May 8 to make their final arguments before the judge makes his decision. That probably will take several additional weeks.
No matter which side the judge favors, an appeal is expected. The proceedings could leave the ownership of the professional teams and Philips Arena operating rights in limbo for another year or so.
Judge Durke Thompson has several options: Belkin gets his money and is one step closer to separating from a group he’s already been estranged from for years. Or, the seven others can pick an appraiser to evaluate the teams, and, again try to buy Belkin’s share.
Or, Thompson could say the contract was too murky and throw it out. The Spirit then could use a previous buyout agreement included in documents from when they bought the teams from Turner Broadcasting System as their roadmap."
Belkin thinks he's entitled to US$143-million. But Swartz brings up a more legitimate question:
Can either side wait the other out and still pay all the legal fees and retainers...?
Those of us at OSG HQ think Belkin can wait out the other seven. He may not get the US$143-million he thinks he's worth, but he may get a settlement that will cripple an already-hemorrhaging organization.
The losers as always are the fans of this- especially the Thrashers fans who have a franchise that is last in league salary cap figures- approximately US$43.4-million after all the trade dealine fiascos went through. And when Ilya Kovalchuk is traded on draft day, all hell will break loose.
That's just us...
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