That's really about all we know right now...
More when we know more... at least it looks like the end of Atlanta Spirit Group as we know them as owners...
No word on whether or not Philips Arena is part of the package, either...
UPDATE: We know more...
California developer and pizza chain owner Alex Meruelo is the lucky guy, and the NBA team will remain in Atlanta. The deal, subject to the approval of the NBA, is to be announced on Monday.
Meruelo, who will have controlling interest of more than 50 percent of the Hawks, founded La Pizza Loca. It has over 50 franchised and company-owned restaurants in Southern California.
He also heads something called "The Meruelo Group," a Downey, California-based investment firm, which recently acquired the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada, for a reported $42.45 million.
More when we know more...
1615 UPDATE: We know more... he has a quote from Mark Bradley's interview in the AJC saying:
"I'm a person who doesn't give up. I want to bring a championship to the city of Atlanta."
Meruelo would become the first Hispanic owner of an NBA team, and his holding company is the owner of one of the largest Hispanic television stations in the US- KWHY-TV in Los Angeles. If Meruelo is serious about being an owner, then tapping into Atlanta's Hispanic market would be a natural fit- albeit a tough one...
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