CONTACT US AT: Olajuwon eyes ownership stake in...
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Sports ❘ 07 CONTACT US AT: 8351-9190, [email protected] Thursday August 3, 2017 ROCKETS legend and NBA Hall-of-Famer Hakeem Olaju- won may be interested in an ownership stake in the organi- zation, as the man known as “The Dream” during his playing days has been contacted about ownership opportunities. “Many groups now have called me and want me involved,” Olajuwon said, via ESPN. “With two of the groups, I’m doing my background check to see if that is a possibility. Just an association would be great.” Olajuwon played for the Rockets from 1984 to 2001 and helped the team win its only two titles in franchise history in 1994 and 1995. He was a 12-time All- Star and boasts career averages of 21.8 and 11.1 rebounds per game. He is the Rockets all- time franchise leader in points (26,511), rebounds (13,382) and blocks (3,740), and has main- tained an affiliation with the franchise since his retirement. Olajuwon said that his cur- rent contract with the Rockets prevents him from taking on an ownership position with the franchise, but things could change if the right opportunity presented itself. “I’m still with the organization now,” Olajuwon said. “I have a contract with the Rockets, not to be in an ownership position. But if the opportunity opens itself, it will be something great.” Olajuwon isn’t the only former Hall-of-Fame Rockets center that has expressed interest in ownership of the team since long-time owner Les Alexander expressed his intention to sell in July, as Dikembe Mutombo is also looking to gather investors to make a purchase. “The Rockets are a great fran- chise,” Mutombo said in July, via The Score. “They have a great team. They’ve got great coaches, great basketball players, great staff. Whoever is coming in, it’s not like they’re going to have to rebuild it...I’m trying to convince some people about trying to buy this team. It’s one of the best franchises right now. It’s really the right time.” Forbes estimated the value of the Rockets at US$1.65 billion, but considering the quality of the team on the court right now (and the money that generates) and the stability of the NBA with the new television deal, means this sale could break the record sum Steve Ballmer paid for the Clippers (US$2 billion). Olajuwon obviously could not buy the team on his own, but could have a role as the face of the ownership group, sort of like the role Grant Hill has in Atlanta. Olajuwon lives in the United Kingdom now with his family but still works for the Rockets. (SD-Agencies) NEYMAR has told Barcelona that he plans to leave the club, with a blockbuster move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) seemingly imminent. The club said yesterday that the Brazil striker told his team- mates “that he had the intention of leaving the club and seeking his future elsewhere, and the coach has given him permission to leave training.” Barcelona has blocked pay- ment of a 26 million euro (US$31 million) bonus for Neymar, a source at the club said Tuesday. The renewal bonus was agreed on a year ago when Neymar extended his contract with Bar- celona until 2021, and was due to be paid to the player after he completed a year. PSG is rumored to be ready to pay his release clause of 222 million euros (US$262 million). That would dwarf the 105 million euros that Manchester United paid for France midfielder Paul Pogba last year. Barcelona said Neymar did not specify where he wants to play next, but the only club speculated to be after him — and one of few which could handle the cost of the transfer — is the Qatari- owned PSG. Barcelona said Neymar left the training ground 30 minutes after arriving yesterday. He had arrived in Spain on Tuesday night after holding publicity events for both his personal brand and Barcelona in China. With his lightning-quick feet, creative instincts and scoring touch, Neymar helped main- tain Barcelona as one of the top clubs in Europe for the past four seasons. He teamed up with Lionel Messi and Luis Saurez to make an almost unstoppable attack. Neymar scored 105 goals — some of them true gems — and was a key playmaker for Barcelona as it won a Champions League, two Spanish leagues, three Copa del Reys, one Club World Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and two Span- ish Super Cups. (SD-Agencies) Barca says Neymar wants to leave club USAIN BOLT issued a stark warning to his fellow athletes Tuesday that they must stop doping otherwise track and field will die. The triple Olympic 100m and 200m champion insisted that the sport was on the mend following the staggering revelations of state-sponsored doping in Russia but conceded more needed to be done to tackle the scourge of per- formance-enhancing drugs. “I don’t think it gets any worse than that,” he said, referring to the problems in Russia which he agreed had left the sport at rock bottom. “But it’s on its way back up now. Hopefully, athletes will see what’s going on and under- stand that if they don’t stop what they’re doing the sport will die. And hopefully they will under- stand what the sport is going through and what they need to do as athletes to help it move forward.” But Bolt, who will hang up his spikes after the world champi- onships in London, which start Friday, said he was still optimis- tic that these perennial problems could be tackled. “You can’t be happy about doping at all, it’s not good for the sport,” he added. “But over the years we’re doing a better job, it’s getting clean and we’re catching up to a lot of athletes. There’s an understanding that, listen, if you cheat you will get caught. Over time the sport will get better. “I said a couple of years ago it had to get really bad, when Hakeem Olajuwon URUGUAY midfielder Matias Vecino has concluded a medical with Inter Milan and is near to completing a 30-million-euro (US$36 million) transfer from Fiorentina. “This is a very special day, as it means a lot to arrive at a club like Inter,” Vecino said Tuesday after completing his tests. “Now I can’t wait to get started train- ing, knowing my teammates and starting this new adventure. “Coming to a club like Inter certainly means something important. I have been in Italy for a few years now, but I think I can give more and will try to do that at Inter. I always gave my best at Fiorentina, so I think we parted on good terms.” New Inter coach Luciano Spalletti is looking to give the club a new identity and purpose following a disappointing 2016- 17 campaign that saw the team finish seventh and miss out on Europe. “It is important that a coach wants you in his team,” Vecino added. “My secret, if it is one, is that I always sacrifice myself for my teammates, as that is more important than quality. “I always played as a central midfielder, but the coach will decide where I fit best.” The 25-year-old Vecino will join playmaker Borja Valero, who also recently transferred from Fioren- tina to Inter. “I saw him yesterday, he’s a great guy as well as a wonderful player and we talked about all these things,” Vecino said. (SD-Agencies) Matias Vecino set to join Inter Milan Matias Vecino Bolt warns fellow athletes: stop doping or the sport will die Usain Bolt there’s nowhere else to go but up. The only way track and field has left to go is up.” Bolt has only raced three times this season, and last month appeared to be strug- gling with a back injury, but he insisted he was still the man to beat in the 100m, the qualifying rounds for which start Friday. “For some reason I am the underdog,” he said. “That is what my team keep telling me so I have to prove myself once more. But I am confident in my abilities, always. When I go out there I am fully confident and ready to go – 100 percent.” “The last 100m race I ran was a 9.95 seconds, which shows I am going in the right direction. It is all about who can keep their nerves. I have been here many times and I know I am ready. It is go time.” Bolt, who turns 31 later this month, also gave an emphatic answer when asked how he would feel Saturday night after the 100m final. “Unbeatable,” he said. “Usain Bolt has retired unbeatable over that event. For me that will be the biggest head- line.” (SD-Agencies) Barcelona soccer player Neymar poses for photos during a fashion event in Shanghai on Monday. SD-Agencies Olajuwon eyes ownership stake in Rockets
Transcript of CONTACT US AT: Olajuwon eyes ownership stake in...
Sports x 07CONTACT US AT: 8351-9190, [email protected]
Thursday August 3, 2017
ROCKETS legend and NBA Hall-of-Famer Hakeem Olaju-won may be interested in an ownership stake in the organi-zation, as the man known as “The Dream” during his playing days has been contacted about ownership opportunities.
“Many groups now have called me and want me involved,” Olajuwon said, via ESPN. “With two of the groups, I’m doing my background check to see if that is a possibility. Just an association would be great.”
Olajuwon played for the Rockets from 1984 to 2001 and helped the team win its only two titles in franchise history in 1994 and 1995. He was a 12-time All-Star and boasts career averages of 21.8 and 11.1 rebounds per game. He is the Rockets all-time franchise leader in points (26,511), rebounds (13,382) and blocks (3,740), and has main-tained an affi liation with the franchise since his retirement.
Olajuwon said that his cur-rent contract with the Rockets prevents him from taking on an ownership position with the franchise, but things could change if the right opportunity presented itself.
“I’m still with the organization now,” Olajuwon said. “I have a contract with the Rockets, not to be in an ownership position. But if the opportunity opens itself, it will be something great.”
Olajuwon isn’t the only former
Hall-of-Fame Rockets center that has expressed interest in ownership of the team since long-time owner Les Alexander expressed his intention to sell in July, as Dikembe Mutombo is also looking to gather investors to make a purchase.
“The Rockets are a great fran-chise,” Mutombo said in July, via The Score. “They have a great team. They’ve got great coaches, great basketball players, great
staff. Whoever is coming in, it’s not like they’re going to have to rebuild it...I’m trying to convince some people about trying to buy this team. It’s one of the best franchises right now. It’s really the right time.”
Forbes estimated the value of the Rockets at US$1.65 billion, but considering the quality of the team on the court right now (and the money that generates) and the stability of the NBA with
the new television deal, means this sale could break the record sum Steve Ballmer paid for the Clippers (US$2 billion).
Olajuwon obviously could not buy the team on his own, but could have a role as the face of the ownership group, sort of like the role Grant Hill has in Atlanta. Olajuwon lives in the United Kingdom now with his family but still works for the Rockets. (SD-Agencies)
NEYMAR has told Barcelona that he plans to leave the club, with a blockbuster move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) seemingly imminent.
The club said yesterday that the Brazil striker told his team-mates “that he had the intention of leaving the club and seeking his future elsewhere, and the coach has given him permission to leave training.”
Barcelona has blocked pay-ment of a 26 million euro (US$31 million) bonus for Neymar, a source at the club said Tuesday.
The renewal bonus was agreed on a year ago when Neymar extended his contract with Bar-celona until 2021, and was due to be paid to the player after he completed a year.
PSG is rumored to be ready to pay his release clause of 222 million euros (US$262 million). That would dwarf the 105 million euros that Manchester United paid for France midfi elder Paul Pogba last year.
Barcelona said Neymar did not specify where he wants to play next, but the only club speculated to be after him — and one of few which could handle the cost of the transfer — is the Qatari-owned PSG.
Barcelona said Neymar left the training ground 30 minutes after arriving yesterday. He had arrived in Spain on Tuesday night after holding publicity events for both his personal brand and Barcelona in China.
With his lightning-quick feet, creative instincts and scoring touch, Neymar helped main-tain Barcelona as one of the top clubs in Europe for the past four seasons.
He teamed up with Lionel Messi and Luis Saurez to make an almost unstoppable attack. Neymar scored 105 goals — some of them true gems — and was a key playmaker for Barcelona as it won a Champions League, two Spanish leagues, three Copa del Reys, one Club World Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and two Span-ish Super Cups. (SD-Agencies)
Barca says Neymar wants to leave club
USAIN BOLT issued a stark warning to his fellow athletes Tuesday that they must stop doping otherwise track and fi eld will die.
The triple Olympic 100m and 200m champion insisted that the sport was on the mend following the staggering revelations of state-sponsored doping in Russia but conceded more needed to be done to tackle the scourge of per-formance-enhancing drugs.
“I don’t think it gets any worse than that,” he said, referring to the problems in Russia which he agreed had left the sport at rock bottom. “But it’s on its way back up now. Hopefully, athletes will see what’s going on and under-stand that if they don’t stop what they’re doing the sport will die.
And hopefully they will under-stand what the sport is going through and what they need to do as athletes to help it move forward.”
But Bolt, who will hang up his spikes after the world champi-onships in London, which start Friday, said he was still optimis-tic that these perennial problems could be tackled. “You can’t be happy about doping at all, it’s not good for the sport,” he added. “But over the years we’re doing a better job, it’s getting clean and we’re catching up to a lot of athletes. There’s an understanding that, listen, if you cheat you will get caught. Over time the sport will get better.
“I said a couple of years ago it had to get really bad, when
Hakeem Olajuwon
URUGUAY midfi elder Matias Vecino has concluded a medical with Inter Milan and is near to completing a 30-million-euro (US$36 million) transfer from Fiorentina.
“This is a very special day, as it means a lot to arrive at a club like Inter,” Vecino said Tuesday after completing his tests. “Now I can’t wait to get started train-ing, knowing my teammates and starting this new adventure.
“Coming to a club like Inter certainly means something
important. I have been in Italy for a few years now, but I think I can give more and will try to do that at Inter. I always gave my best at Fiorentina, so I think we parted on good terms.”
New Inter coach Luciano Spalletti is looking to give the club a new identity and purpose following a disappointing 2016-17 campaign that saw the team fi nish seventh and miss out on Europe.
“It is important that a coach wants you in his team,” Vecino
added. “My secret, if it is one, is that I always sacrifi ce myself for my teammates, as that is more important than quality.
“I always played as a central midfi elder, but the coach will decide where I fi t best.”
The 25-year-old Vecino will join playmaker Borja Valero, who also recently transferred from Fioren-tina to Inter.
“I saw him yesterday, he’s a great guy as well as a wonderful player and we talked about all these things,” Vecino said. (SD-Agencies)
Matias Vecino set to join Inter Milan
Matias Vecino
Bolt warns fellow athletes: stop doping or the sport will die
Usain Bolt
there’s nowhere else to go but up. The only way track and fi eld has left to go is up.”
Bolt has only raced three times this season, and last month appeared to be strug-gling with a back injury, but he insisted he was still the man to beat in the 100m, the qualifying rounds for which start Friday. “For some reason I am the underdog,” he said. “That is
what my team keep telling me so I have to prove myself once more. But I am confi dent in my abilities, always. When I go out there I am fully confi dent and ready to go – 100 percent.”
“The last 100m race I ran was a 9.95 seconds, which shows I am going in the right direction. It is all about who can keep their nerves. I have been here many times and I know I am ready. It is go time.”
Bolt, who turns 31 later this month, also gave an emphatic answer when asked how he would feel Saturday night after the 100m fi nal. “Unbeatable,” he said. “Usain Bolt has retired unbeatable over that event. For me that will be the biggest head-line.” (SD-Agencies)
Barcelona soccer player Neymar poses for photos during a fashion event in Shanghai on Monday. SD-Agencies
Olajuwon eyes ownership stake in Rockets
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