Dein erstes Forum » as rumours continue to circulate abo

SEATTLE -- The investment group trying to bring mens professional basketball back to Seattle is remaining focused on the NBA, even if landing a hockey franchise could happen sooner. "No one in our ownership group is interested in being a majority owner in an NHL franchise. Thats been the case since the start," said Chris Hansen, who led the unsuccessful effort last year to purchase the Sacramento Kings and move them to Seattle. "Ive certainly queried our ownership group about this. I think if someone really wanted to it would be easier than bringing in an outside party. "But the most important thing is the passion is just not there for the NHL among our ownership group that is there for basketball. Getting involved in hockey solely because basketball hasnt worked out right now, when its not something your heart is in, would be a disservice to the fans here." Even as rumours continue to circulate about the NHL having interest in Seattle as a market sooner rather than later, Hansen said his job would be to find someone willing to partner with his group and their proposed arena in Seattle. The arena has been approved by both the Seattle City Council and King County Council pending environmental reviews. Hansen said the focus right now is getting those environmental reviews completed -- possibly by the end of the summer -- so that if an NBA franchise becomes available via sale or expansion, Seattle can be at the front of the line ready to go. He has no interest in re-writing the memorandum of understanding reached between all parties so that an NHL franchise could possibly be a primary tenant in a new arena. Hansen has kept a relatively low profile since last spring, when his groups attempts to buy the Kings from the Maloof family and move the team were blocked by the NBA Board of Governors. NBA owners rejected Hansens record $625 million bid and eventually approved the sale to a group of investors led by technology executive Vivek Ranadive for $535 million with plans to keep the franchise in Sacramento. Hansen said there are far fewer conversations with the NBA now than there were at this time a year ago, though he remains confident the NBA will eventually return to Seattle. His investment group has not changed, including former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, and neither has his original timeline of trying to land a team within five years of when the process began. "By the end of that, the NBA will have its new TV contract. Theyll have a few years of the revenue sharing and collective bargaining agreements being in place to understand the profitability of some of the teams that might have been a concern and there are a few franchises that are up for sale and that will probably have been worked out one way or another," Hansen said. "I think theyll be in a better position at some time within the next three years on expansion or possibly something else will come our way." Nike Dunk Wholesale China .FIFA says it is relaxing the rule which forced match officials to leave its international list at the end of the year they turned 45. Nike Dunk Clearance . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring. http://www.cheapnikedunk.us/. -- Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich is expected to miss the rest of the regular season after having an operation on a groin muscle. Nike Dunk Cheap Wholesale . - Urijah (The California Kid) Faber finds himself in an unaccustomed position Saturday night at UFC 175 — on the preliminary card. Cheap Nike Dunks Online . Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.TORONTO - Montreal welterweight Patrick (The Predator) Cote will face Stephen (Wonderboy) Thompson at UFC 178 in September. A source told The Canadian Press the two have verbally agreed to fight on the Sept. 27 card in Las Vegas. Cote (21-8) and Thompson (9-1) have both won three straight in the Octagon. Cote, 34, is coming off a unanimous decision win over Australian Kyle Noke in the TUF Nations finale in April in Quebec City. The two served as rival coacches on the Canada versus Australia reality TV show.dddddddddddd Thompson, 31, defeated Robert Whittaker by first-round TKO at UFC 170 in February. The former kickboxing champion has worked with former welterweight title-holder Georges St-Pierre and recently helped middleweight champion Chris Weidman prepare for his UFC 175 win over Lyoto (The Dragon) Machida. UFC 178 was originally slated for Toronto but was recently switched to Las Vegas. ' ' '