[JonnLeejsp]

Interesting maybe they will get better with a new Owner.

[dahlilaninfo]

By TIM TUCKER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/19/05

Steve Belkin is leaving the Hawks-Thrashers ownership group.

Belkin and his Atlanta Spirit partners reached an agreement this morning under which Belkin will sell his 30 percent stake in the teams to his Atlanta- and Washington-based partners.
"We have agreed to purchase Steve Belkin's interest in Atlanta Spirit," co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. said this morning.

The purchase is expected to close by the end of the year, he said.

Also today, the Hawks have scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference to announce the completion of the long-delayed, much-litigated trade for Phoenix's Joe Johnson — a trade Belkin had opposed.

Lawyers for Belkin and his partners met at NBA offices in New York late last week to discuss a buyout of Belkin, and although that effort failed, talks resumed this week and were concluded this morning.