<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">AP - A judge here stepped into the feud between owners of the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, blocking the other members of the ownership group from removing Boston businessman Steve Belkin as managing partner. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Allan van Gestel granted Belkin's request for a temporary injunction, saying a contract signed by all the owners last year prevents the group from voting him out. It was unclear whether the other owners would scrap plans for a Tuesday vote to replace Belkin, who owns 30 percent of the franchise, with co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. Belkin is part of the nine-member Atlanta Spirit LLC group, which also owns the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers and the operating rights to Philips Arena. The dispute stems from Belkin's refusal to approve a sign-and-trade deal for the Hawks to acquire guard Joe Johnson from the Phoenix Suns . As the team's NBA governor, Belkin must sign off on all trades. The ruling, which extends indefinitely a temporary restraining order obtained by Belkin last week, can be appealed to a higher court. The judge said Belkin's refusal to sign on to the Johnson deal was not grounds for his removal under the contract. "It is hardly apparent on the present record that the deal for Johnson, however talented he may be ... is in the economic best interest of the franchise," the judge wrote. "Sometimes the cost is just too great." The five-year contract the Hawks offered Johnson -- worth about $70 million, including $20 million for the first year -- would have made him the team's highest-paid player. Atlanta would also give Phoenix two first-round picks, second-year guard Boris Diaw and a $4.9 million trade exception. "Steve Belkin simply thinks that's too much to pay for Joe Johnson," Belkin's lawyer, John Fabiano, told the judge. [READ]</div> Source <font color="red"><font size="1">-- Link to source added --</font></font> DAMMIT! well, 15 win season, here we come.
Belkin wins round one, this is just going to add fuel to the fire. I think the owners need to try to buy out Belkin or just sell out themselves and move on to another venture. I don't see how the team can function with the current rift. I feel bad for the young players on the Hawks and the Atlanta fans.
Man. That sucks for you Hawk fans, this guy is just a whiny jerk and yet the law is on his side. Too bad, hopefully for your sake and the sake of common sense somebody finds a way to get rid of Belkin.
As a Charlotte fan, I know how hard it is to deal with crappy owners. I'm hoping the Hawks situation doesn't turn into one similiar to the Hornets.
Steve Belkin just made #1 on the public enemy list in the Atlanta area. JJ is a no-brainer, heck, even Joe himself wants to play in Atlanta.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Char:</div><div class="quote_post">Steve Belkin just made #1 on the public enemy list in the Atlanta area. JJ is a no-brainer, heck, even Joe himself wants to play in Atlanta.</div> Exactly, when a player like Johnson actually WANTS to go to Atlanta, the Hawks should take advantage. Unfortunetly Belkin is being a moron.
i say we go to this man's house tie him to a chair, and take turns kicking him in the balls! who's with me !?
I don't know about that but he sure does seem to need some kind of wake-up call. Like Bobcats said, when a player of that caliber wants to come and play for your team you can't pass it up. This just makes the Hawks seem like they really don't care about winning, which will discourage other players from wanting to sign there. Definately a step back for the organization.. I feel for you.
I feel for all you Hawk fans. I know what it's like to follow a losing team look at the Heat before they got DWade. Even though that wasn't nearly what the hawks have been through. After all that those fans have been through, and for a young star in the making to want to come in and play there. How could you pass that up! Belkin is absolutely abusing his power, but i really hope this matter can be resolved with an ending that leaves both sides happy.
^ actually, us hawks fans have had some good times kinda recently. well... more recently than, say, the clippers. remember the mutumbo days? good times... 1999, i THINK we had a 60-win season.
