I mentioned this in another thread regarding the sale. I think it's funny that Charles Barkley is involved. About two weeks ago when JC first announced he would like to sell the team Charles Barkley made several comments about it on TNT. He said rather matter-of-factly that the Phoenix Suns franchise was not worth $300 million. He also said that Jerry Colangelo will never find someone to let him stay on in charge of things for a while after the sale. It's one thing that he was completely wrong. I think it's hysterical that he is actually part of the whole thing.
Joe
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/0417suns0417.html
Sarver won't meddle on court
Kerr will offer player advice
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 17, 2004 12:00 AM
Robert Sarver, soon to be the Suns' managing partner, admittedly does not possess much basketball insight.
In 1985, when Sarver was dating University of Arizona coach Lute Olson's daughter, Christy, he was visiting the Olson home when the coach was watching game tapes. Sarver questioned why a player did not get more time.
He remembers Olson's response well: "I don't know you very well, but I can tell you one thing: I know nothing about banking, but I can run your bank better than you can run my basketball team."
Sarver took heed. In fact, the only relationship that stuck was with Lute, not Christy. Olson led Sarver toward a Suns purchase by introducing him to Steve Kerr when Sarver, a Tucson native, sought advice on how to buy a team.
Kerr set up a meeting with NBA Commissioner David Stern and continued immersing Sarver into the NBA. The relationship quickly grew to the point where Sarver found he had someone to handle some of his basketball thinking.
"Business as usual" was the theme Friday in announcing the $401 million sale. Sarver said the June 30 transfer will not change the organization's basketball operations except to add another voice to the mix - Kerr's.
Jerry Colangelo, chairman and chief executive officer, and President/General Manager Bryan Colangelo, now a part owner, will maintain their roles. Jerry Colangelo will yield the CEO title upon Sarver's second payment in three years.
Bryan Colangelo already has spent the past two weeks talking draft, free agency and other team matters with Kerr.
Other former NBA players will be investing, including Charles Barkley, Sean Elliott and a group of former Suns who will make up at least one $10 million "investment unit." Kerr will have the largest role as part of the transition's management committee with Sarver and the Colangelos.
The Suns drafted Kerr 50th overall in 1988 in what Kerr said was a favor from Colangelo to UA, where Kerr played. Kerr only played 156 minutes in his Suns rookie season, but it kick-started a 15-year pro career that included five championship rings. He began work this season as a TNT game analyst, a job he will keep.
"I will certainly have plenty to say in personnel decisions," said Kerr, who lives in the same San Diego neighborhood as Sarver. "I feel like I'm in a great spot, having played in the NBA for the last 15 years and having seen just about every team up close this year. I certainly will offer any expertise I can for Bryan.
"With that said, this is his show. He's the GM of this team. I know he and I have discussed at length that there will be plenty of rumors about my role and his role."
Kerr maintained he is content to advise because "I have to figure out in my own head how I want to be involved and to what capacity."
He is still getting to know Sarver, having met him just three months ago. Meanwhile, the Colangelos have just begun to get a read on how Sarver will compete in the pro sports world.
"The one thing I've noticed about Robert is he is a go-getter and he gets things done quickly," said Bryan Colangelo, who revealed Friday that the Phoenix Suns Athletic Club next to America West Arena will be turned into a museum.
Joe
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/0417suns0417.html
Sarver won't meddle on court
Kerr will offer player advice
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 17, 2004 12:00 AM
Robert Sarver, soon to be the Suns' managing partner, admittedly does not possess much basketball insight.
In 1985, when Sarver was dating University of Arizona coach Lute Olson's daughter, Christy, he was visiting the Olson home when the coach was watching game tapes. Sarver questioned why a player did not get more time.
He remembers Olson's response well: "I don't know you very well, but I can tell you one thing: I know nothing about banking, but I can run your bank better than you can run my basketball team."
Sarver took heed. In fact, the only relationship that stuck was with Lute, not Christy. Olson led Sarver toward a Suns purchase by introducing him to Steve Kerr when Sarver, a Tucson native, sought advice on how to buy a team.
Kerr set up a meeting with NBA Commissioner David Stern and continued immersing Sarver into the NBA. The relationship quickly grew to the point where Sarver found he had someone to handle some of his basketball thinking.
"Business as usual" was the theme Friday in announcing the $401 million sale. Sarver said the June 30 transfer will not change the organization's basketball operations except to add another voice to the mix - Kerr's.
Jerry Colangelo, chairman and chief executive officer, and President/General Manager Bryan Colangelo, now a part owner, will maintain their roles. Jerry Colangelo will yield the CEO title upon Sarver's second payment in three years.
Bryan Colangelo already has spent the past two weeks talking draft, free agency and other team matters with Kerr.
Other former NBA players will be investing, including Charles Barkley, Sean Elliott and a group of former Suns who will make up at least one $10 million "investment unit." Kerr will have the largest role as part of the transition's management committee with Sarver and the Colangelos.
The Suns drafted Kerr 50th overall in 1988 in what Kerr said was a favor from Colangelo to UA, where Kerr played. Kerr only played 156 minutes in his Suns rookie season, but it kick-started a 15-year pro career that included five championship rings. He began work this season as a TNT game analyst, a job he will keep.
"I will certainly have plenty to say in personnel decisions," said Kerr, who lives in the same San Diego neighborhood as Sarver. "I feel like I'm in a great spot, having played in the NBA for the last 15 years and having seen just about every team up close this year. I certainly will offer any expertise I can for Bryan.
"With that said, this is his show. He's the GM of this team. I know he and I have discussed at length that there will be plenty of rumors about my role and his role."
Kerr maintained he is content to advise because "I have to figure out in my own head how I want to be involved and to what capacity."
He is still getting to know Sarver, having met him just three months ago. Meanwhile, the Colangelos have just begun to get a read on how Sarver will compete in the pro sports world.
"The one thing I've noticed about Robert is he is a go-getter and he gets things done quickly," said Bryan Colangelo, who revealed Friday that the Phoenix Suns Athletic Club next to America West Arena will be turned into a museum.
