Atlanta Spirit, LLC
Encyclopedia
Atlanta Spirit, LLC is an Atlanta, Georgia
-based partnership who owned the NBA's Atlanta Hawks
and their home arena, Philips Arena
. The seven partners who comprise the group are Michael Gearon, Jr., Bruce Levenson, Ed Peskowitz, J. Rutherford Seydel, Todd Foreman, J. Michael Gearon, Sr., and Beau Turner. Levenson, Peskowitz and Seydel, who are headquartered in Washington, D.C.
, are the only ones to work outside of Atlanta. The group originally had nine partners, with Steve Belkin leaving in 2005 following conflicts with the other members, and Bud Seretean dying in 2007.
Although Ted Turner
is not a part of this group, there are many connections to him: Beau Turner is the youngest son of Ted Turner. J. Rutherford Seydel is a son-in-law of Ted Turner., Michael Gearon Sr. was the general manager (1977–79), president (1977–1986) and chairman of the board (1986–2004) of the Atlanta Hawks under Turner's ownership. Bud Seretean is also a former president and general manager of the Hawks (1975–77) and a former board member of Turner Broadcasting System
.
, Atlanta Hawks
, and operating rights to Phillips Arena from Time Warner's
Turner Broadcasting System
. The Thrashers deal involved contracts so long and thick that they were placed in six binders. The investors of ASG had to sign 372 times.
In the summer of 2005, the Atlanta Hawks finalized a trade with the Phoenix Suns
to obtain shooting guard
Joe Johnson
for Boris Diaw
and two protected future first-round picks. While this trade met with the approval of the majority of the ownership group, it was rejected by Steve Belkin, who held a controlling vote as the Hawks Governor within the group. This triggered legal proceedings to force Belkin out of the group. On December 23, 2010, the group led by Gearon and Levenson announced they had bought out Belkin's ownership share in Atlanta Spirit.
In 2007, Spirit co-founder Bud Seretean died at the age of 83.
On May 31, 2011, the Atlanta Spirit Group sold the Atlanta Thrashers
to True North Sports and Entertainment, who relocated the team to Winnipeg
, Manitoba
and rebranded them as the new Winnipeg Jets
.
were. After the sale of the Atlanta Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment Schultz put out another article further criticizing ASG's management of the team "which has long lost any semblance of credibility".
, along with the Atlanta Hawks & operating rights of the Philips Arena. The Atlanta Thrashers were a Professional Ice Hockey Team part of the National Hockey League
. The franchise was a failing one, making the playoffs only once by winning the Southeastern Division in the 2006-07 season. Most Thrashers fans blame Atlanta Spirit for the team's failing in Atlanta. On May 31, 2011, True North Sports and Entertainment and the NHL held a press conference in Winnipeg to announce the completion of a deal to purchase the Thrashers. True North intended to relocate the team to the MTS Centre
in Winnipeg
and on June 21, 2011, both the sale and relocation of the team were formally approved by the NHL's Board of Governors, with the Thrashers transformed into the second NHL incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets
. The Atlanta Spirit Group, however, retains the rights and logos for the Thrashers. The Thrashers website was taken down soon after.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
-based partnership who owned the NBA's Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
and their home arena, Philips Arena
Philips Arena
Philips Arena is an indoor arena in Atlanta, Georgia.Completed in 1999 to replace The Omni, at a cost of $213.5 million, it is home to the Atlanta Hawks, of the National Basketball Association, and the Atlanta Dream, of the Women's National Basketball Association...
. The seven partners who comprise the group are Michael Gearon, Jr., Bruce Levenson, Ed Peskowitz, J. Rutherford Seydel, Todd Foreman, J. Michael Gearon, Sr., and Beau Turner. Levenson, Peskowitz and Seydel, who are headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, are the only ones to work outside of Atlanta. The group originally had nine partners, with Steve Belkin leaving in 2005 following conflicts with the other members, and Bud Seretean dying in 2007.
Although Ted Turner
Ted Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television...
is not a part of this group, there are many connections to him: Beau Turner is the youngest son of Ted Turner. J. Rutherford Seydel is a son-in-law of Ted Turner., Michael Gearon Sr. was the general manager (1977–79), president (1977–1986) and chairman of the board (1986–2004) of the Atlanta Hawks under Turner's ownership. Bud Seretean is also a former president and general manager of the Hawks (1975–77) and a former board member of Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc...
.
History
In 2005, Atlanta Spirit bought the Atlanta ThrashersAtlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
, Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
, and operating rights to Phillips Arena from Time Warner's
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc...
. The Thrashers deal involved contracts so long and thick that they were placed in six binders. The investors of ASG had to sign 372 times.
In the summer of 2005, the Atlanta Hawks finalized a trade with the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
to obtain shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson (basketball)
Joe Marcus Johnson is an American professional basketball player, currently a member of the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. Johnson stands at 6'7" and 240 lbs ....
for Boris Diaw
Boris Diaw
Boris Babacar Diaw-Riffiod, better known as Boris Diaw , is a French professional basketball player for JSA Bordeaux in France. He has also played in the National Basketball Association for the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, and Charlotte Bobcats...
and two protected future first-round picks. While this trade met with the approval of the majority of the ownership group, it was rejected by Steve Belkin, who held a controlling vote as the Hawks Governor within the group. This triggered legal proceedings to force Belkin out of the group. On December 23, 2010, the group led by Gearon and Levenson announced they had bought out Belkin's ownership share in Atlanta Spirit.
In 2007, Spirit co-founder Bud Seretean died at the age of 83.
On May 31, 2011, the Atlanta Spirit Group sold the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
to True North Sports and Entertainment, who relocated the team to Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
and rebranded them as the new Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
.
Criticism
Some have criticized ASG's handling of the Thrashers; Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said that "it’s no secret that the Spirit has always cared more about basketball." ASG said they had "no other choice" to sell the Thrashers, even though they weren't "under the gun" of the NHL like the Phoenix CoyotesPhoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
were. After the sale of the Atlanta Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment Schultz put out another article further criticizing ASG's management of the team "which has long lost any semblance of credibility".
Atlanta Thrashers
On September 13, 2005, Atlanta Spirit purchased the Atlanta ThrashersAtlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
, along with the Atlanta Hawks & operating rights of the Philips Arena. The Atlanta Thrashers were a Professional Ice Hockey Team part of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. The franchise was a failing one, making the playoffs only once by winning the Southeastern Division in the 2006-07 season. Most Thrashers fans blame Atlanta Spirit for the team's failing in Atlanta. On May 31, 2011, True North Sports and Entertainment and the NHL held a press conference in Winnipeg to announce the completion of a deal to purchase the Thrashers. True North intended to relocate the team to the MTS Centre
MTS Centre
The MTS Centre is an indoor sports arena and entertainment venue in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and home of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League. It is located on the former Eaton's site and is owned and operated by True North Sports & Entertainment. The 440,000 square feet ...
in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
and on June 21, 2011, both the sale and relocation of the team were formally approved by the NHL's Board of Governors, with the Thrashers transformed into the second NHL incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
. The Atlanta Spirit Group, however, retains the rights and logos for the Thrashers. The Thrashers website was taken down soon after.