SFGiants58 13,594 Posted September 23, 2020 Wasn’t it a Yakuza group that founded the Bolts? Also, we have to take into account the early ‘80s Cavs for worst-run organizations. The NBA had to enforce changes to trading rules because owner Ted Stepien traded away five consecutive years’ worth of first-round draft picks. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
See Red 2,002 Posted September 23, 2020 1 hour ago, SFGiants58 said: Wasn’t it a Yakuza group that founded the Bolts? Also, we have to take into account the early ‘80s Cavs for worst-run organizations. The NBA had to enforce changes to trading rules because owner Ted Stepien traded away five consecutive years’ worth of first-round draft picks. I'm not sure if the Yakuza association has been confirmed. It was all really suspicious, though. I don't remember all of the specifics but they were supposed to get funding from the Pritzker Group (Hyatt Hotels) but they backed out a few months before the franchise was awarded to Phil Esposito's group. They sought to replace Pritzker's $50m and a relatively small Japanese golf resort company named Kosukai Green paid the franchise fees and basically forced the rest of the ownership out. At some point it was revealed they were owned by Takashi Okubo, which surprised everyone. And also, he may or may not exist. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the admiral 28,189 Posted September 23, 2020 Vinik was aided by being able to buy the Lightning and some real estate adjacent to the arena at fire-sale prices. The guy who bought the Stars just agreed to pay off Hicks's debt. It's the next best thing to inheriting a franchise like Rocky Wirtz did. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
See Red 2,002 Posted September 23, 2020 10 minutes ago, the admiral said: Vinik was aided by being able to buy the Lightning and some real estate adjacent to the arena at fire-sale prices. The guy who bought the Stars just agreed to pay off Hicks's debt. It's the next best thing to inheriting a franchise like Rocky Wirtz did. The extent of my knowledge of Vinik buying the team was from a recent Athletic article where he said he didn't know how to spend the billions he made from his hedge fund so he googled "how to buy a pro sports team." He actually considered buying the Stars but didn't see himself fitting in with Cuban and Jones personality-wise. The guy's a great owner, though, and has been great for the local community as well. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the admiral 28,189 Posted September 23, 2020 Interesting kicker there that draws contrast with the Panthers and their lack of civic engagement. What community does Broward County have that doesn't have the word "gated" in front of it? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GDAWG 1,778 Posted September 23, 2020 44 minutes ago, See Red said: The extent of my knowledge of Vinik buying the team was from a recent Athletic article where he said he didn't know how to spend the billions he made from his hedge fund so he googled "how to buy a pro sports team." He actually considered buying the Stars but didn't see himself fitting in with Cuban and Jones personality-wise. The guy's a great owner, though, and has been great for the local community as well. The Stars Current owner Tom Gaglardi is nothing like Cuban and Jones. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tp49 1,088 Posted September 23, 2020 10 hours ago, Ridleylash said: The New York Knicks. Also, the New York Jets. You forgot the New York Mets. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridleylash 3,741 Posted September 24, 2020 2 minutes ago, tp49 said: You forgot the New York Mets. The Mets are an entirely different scale of Wilponery. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites