AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2005 > December > 14
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Blank interested; Marcus is not
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Home Depot co-founders Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus had differing reactions to news that the Atlanta Braves might be put up for sale: Blank’s interested in owning a baseball team, Marcus is not.
Tuesday night, Arthur Blank’s spokeswoman said the Falcons’ owner might be interested in purchasing the Braves. Today Blank’s office reiterated that through a statement:
“We are aware that the Atlanta Braves may be available for purchase, and we have been informed of this potential opportunity. As with all other potential investments, we will review any information provided when we receive it and give this opportunity consideration as warranted.
“It is inappropriate to comment beyond this, and it is premature to speculate about whether anything will develop.”
A short time later, a spokeswoman for Marcus said he wasn’t interested in owning a baseball team. Marcus recently spent $250 million of his Home Depot fortune to build the $290 million Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. He has also pumped millions into the Marcus Institute, which treats children with behavioral disorders like autism.
“His main focuses are the Georgia Aquarium and the Marcus Institute and his other charitable causes,” said spokeswoman Donna Fleishman. “He said long ago that owning a professional sports team is nothing he would be interested in.”
AJC reporters are trying to contact other potential buyers for the team today.
Meanwhile, some Braves players also gave their reaction.
Pitcher Tim Hudson, who has a four-year, $47-million deal through 2009 with the team, took the rumors in stride.
“”I’ve heard all these rumors and to be honest, I don’t think two cents’ [worth] about it. Because I know whoever owns the team, with those guys running the ship [Bobby Cox and John Schuerholz] this team is going to be fine. The only thing that would change would be maybe the budget they’d be dealing with. But it can’t get any better than having those two running the show.
“As a player we don’t worry about that [possible sale]. If the headlines were ‘Bobby Cox is gone and Schuerholz is retiring,’ that’s when you’d see panic buttons being pushed around the locker room.”
Hudson said most players don’t care about ownership issues, as long as there is a solid financial commitment to the team.
“For the guys who are committed with the team for a few years out, obviously you want to know where your teammates are going to be, and know whether we’re going to be able to keep the guys who are going to be free agents pretty soon, that kind of thing,” said Hudson.
“Andruw [Jones is] coming up in a couple of years [free agency], and those are just things he’ll have to handle when gets to that time. It’s not easy, hopefully he’ll have the necessary resources to keep these guys around and keep winning.
“Personally, I want to have the best team out there we can possibly have, but I understand it’s a business and there’s always budgets to work with. But [Schuerholz] has done a good job dealing with all that. You can’t argue with his track record.
“As players, you’re not necessarily wanting the budget to go higher just because you want more money. You want it to go higher because you want better players on your team, to be able to go out and sign high-quality free agents, that kind of thing. But at same time you understand it is a business and there’s budgets.”
Andruw Jones was on his way to the gym for a workout when he was contacted by the AJC.
“I didn’t know anything about it [team being for sale] until a guy told me last night,” said Jones, who is coming off his best season as a major leaguer. He agreed with Hudson that ownership specifics aren’t a concern to most players.
“Not really. Sure, you want somebody that’s willing to spend some money and get some good players. And after that, it’s just up to the players to go out and do the job.”
It was pointed out to Jones that a change in ownership could affect his upcoming contract issues with the team. His current deal expires after the 2007 season.
“That’s true, but I don’t think that far ahead. But sure, that might affect it. A new owner might spend a lot of money, or you might get an owner that might decide to cut all the payroll and go even lower, like the Marlins.”
Jones’ other thoughts on a potential sale of the Braves:
“When AOL bought the team, they cut the team budget, and you see what happened — we had a lot of guys [free agents, trades] go away. We got younger. We have a couple of older players like me and Chipper. Now the team is for sale.
“Hopefully somebody with money will buy it, and be willing to put a really good team together. We’ve still got a good team, with good young guys who can get the job done. But you always need some guys with experience to get to the promised land.”
Permalink | Comments (41) | Categories: Braves sale
