Podcast blog: Hawks' owner says, 'I want a (bleepin') parade'

The Hawks have won their first three games of the season. For a team that's projected to go 43-39 in wagering circles after some polarizing off-season decisions, it's a nice way to start. Whether that's an indication of the direction this team is going remains to be seen but one thing is certain: Jesse Itzler isn't going to "settle," which is something that Atlanta's sports teams often are accused of.

It wouldn't be surprising to see Itzler, even as a minority owner but an Atlanta resident, evolve into one of the main faces of the organization. Majority owner Tony Ressler lives in Los Angeles and for now shows a preference to stay in the background. Grant Hill, another part-owner and the most well-known partner because of his playing career, curiously also has chosen not to take on a major role in basketball operations. In Part I of an interview on the "We Never Played The Game" podcast, Itzler talked about his unusual background, which started as a rap artist in the 1990s (under the pseudonym Jesse Jaymes).

I n Part II, which is linked here, Itzler makes it clear how driven he is as a sports owner.