leaves Carolina with a huge hole at the from zgr123's blog
SEATTLE -- Steve Ballmers departure from the group looking to bring the NBA back to Seattle isnt derailing lead investor Chris Hansens hopes of getting a team back in the region. Evan Engram Youth Jersey . Hansen told The Associated Press on Monday that he is confident hell be able to find investors to take Ballmers place in his group that is trying to build a new arena and last year nearly bought and moved the Sacramento Kings to Seattle. Hansen is the majority investor in the project, but said it would likely take more than one person to replace Ballmers investment. Other than Hansen, the only other known partners in the investment group are members of the Nordstrom department store family. Hansen said he wont put a limit on the number of investors at this time. "I think we want to have a reasonable group of partners," Hansen said. "That will be the thing that is probably most missed from Steves involvement. One, hes a great guy and very successful in his career and would have added a lot of insights and value in operating the team. Thats probably the first thing that will be missed from having him as a partner and the second thing, given his net worth, (he) had the ability to be really the only other partner that we needed. In all likelihood there are not a lot of Steve Ballmers in the world with his financial well-being, so in all likelihood I think its reasonable to assume we have a few more partners rather than just one." Seattles hopes seemed to take a blow last week when Ballmer agreed to buy the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion. Among other things, it raised questions about whether Ballmers decision should be taken as a sign that Seattles hopes of getting a franchise are dwindling. Hansen tried to calm those concerns, noting the environmental reviews on the proposed arena site are ongoing and that he remains committed to continuing the process both with the arena and a team. Hansens memorandum of understanding with the city of Seattle and King County on the arena goes through November 2017. "Everybody is very interested in what that means for right now. In six to nine months this will pass and well still be here trying to get our arena built and still be here trying to pursue a franchise and I think that is what is most important," Hansen said. "There is nothing we have to do. We own the land outright. There is no immediate time pressure that we have to do something and thats been very well received by the NBA as well -- the fact were willing to be patient and endure through this." Because of a lack of buzz about the NBA prior to Ballmer agreeing to purchase the Clippers, questions about whether the NHL could be first to land in Seattle have increased. It peaked recently when NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman flew to Seattle during the NHL playoffs to meet with Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and King County executive Dow Constantine. Hansen reiterated he does not have an interest in being the majority owner of an NHL franchise. But hes willing to partner with another investor who has that passion for the NHL. That would require a restructuring of the memorandum of understanding and Hansen said any re-writing of the deal would have to be initiated by the city and county. "We would like to be accommodative to get the NHL here. There should be no question about that. Were building this arena as a two-sport building. It has the larger footprint for hockey. Weve worked hard to do that. We would like to do everything in our power to allow hockey to come here in a way that makes sense for the NHL and for a prospective partner," Hansen said. Dalvin Tomlinson Jersey . MacLean clocked 8:24.91 seconds, eclipsing the previous mark of 8:27.59 set by Brittany Reimer of Victoria at the 2005 FINA World Championships in Montreal. MacLean and Tabitha Baumann of Ottawa -- second in 8:32.37 -- both went under the qualifying standard to be nominated to the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific teams. Dalvin Tomlinson Giants Jersey . Others describe it as taking the parrot for a walk.The Carolina Panthers made a stunning move on Wednesday as they rescinded their non-exclusive franchise tag offer on All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman, making him an unrestricted free agent. Norman, one of the NFLs top cornerbacks, had not signed the franchise tag offer from the Panthers which would have paid him $13.9m in 2016. The 28-year-old Norman is now free to sign with any team in the NFL and there should be plenty of interest in his services.After a number of conversations with Joshs agent we realized that a long-term deal was not attainable, general manager Dave Gettleman said in a statement.We have decided to rescind the franchise tag freeing Josh to immediately become a UFA. We thank Josh for all his contributions and truly wish him well.Norman wasnt in a talking mood shortly after the move was announced.Man, I just dont feel like talking about it right now, Norman told the Associated Press. Josh Norman #24 of the Carolina Panthers makes a game saving interception against Brandin Cooks #10 of the New Orleans Saints According to ESPN, Norman is seeking a long-term deal in the region off $16m per season, while the Panthers made one offer to him of $11m and did not move off that figure. Wayne Gallman Jersey. ith the gap between the two parties so wide, Gettleman decided the best move for the Panthers was to move on and avoid the situation becoming a distraction for the team.That decision leaves Carolina with a huge hole at the position. Their depth chart now features a trio of Bene Benwikere, Brandon Boykin and Robert McClain at the top and all three are primarily known as slot corners.A former fifth-round draft pick, Norman had a career-high four interceptions in 2015 and helped the NFC champion Panthers lead the NFL in interceptions (24), takeaways (39), points off turnovers (148) last season. He also had 16 passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.He is unlikely to be a free agent for long, though only teams with significant cap space are likely to be able to afford his $16m-per-year demands.The Jacksonville Jaguars currently have the most cap space in the NFL with $54.8m, according to Spotrac.com. They are followed by the San Francisco 49ers ($52.5m) and Cleveland Browns ($39.8m). 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