Time Warner puts Braves on the block

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/spor.../14braves.html

Braves may be up for sale
Time Warner also could package Turner South network in deal

By TIM TUCKER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/14/05

Time Warner is pursuing a possible sale of the Braves.

The company acknowledged Tuesday it has put a for-sale sign on Atlanta's major league baseball team as well as the Turner South regional cable network.

In response to questions from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Turner Broadcasting senior vice president Shirley Powell said: "We have engaged an investment banking firm to help us assess strategic options for Turner South and a significant programming contributor to that network, the Atlanta Braves franchise, which may lead to a sale of one or both assets."

New York-based Allen & Co. is the investment banker hired to shop the team and Turner South, Powell confirmed. She said "no formal discussions" have been held yet with any prospective purchaser.

Among the people who could be interested in having such discussions is Falcons owner Arthur Blank, a longtime baseball fan.

"If Time Warner decides to sell the Braves, and if we are approached, we would look at it. And if it made sense we would pursue it," said Kim Shreckengost, executive vice president of the Arthur M. Blank Group.

Blank was traveling and unavailable for comment, Shreckengost said.

[FBPro]

IMO after watching what Blank has done for the Falcons I see this as nothing but a positive situation....provided he is the one who eventually ends up w/ the club.

[GrantDawg]

I would love it if Blank bought the team, or even Ted bought it with a group of purchasers. I wonder if Stan Kasten might not try to put a group together also.

[Ben E Lou]

Oh please. Oh please. Oh please. Oh please.

[Recoil]

My fingers are crossed.

[ice4277]

As someone who has followed the Braves from a distance for a long time, but does not understand the behind-the-scenes stuff going on with the team, I'm just curious why everybody wants them sold. Is it a money thing?

[JeeberD]

I think its time to take up another FOFC collection so that we can buy them and then trade Andruw Jones to the Astros...

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by ice4277

As someone who has followed the Braves from a distance for a long time, but does not understand the behind-the-scenes stuff going on with the team, I'm just curious why everybody wants them sold. Is it a money thing?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Ted used to give the go-ahead to spend pretty freely. He is a very rich man, and could afford it. (In fact, some speculate that if they lost money it was good for him financially due to taxes...) Blank, it is presumed, would do likewise. He's shown the same willingness of Turner to spend what it takes to keep the stars around and to bring in the talent to help us win. The Braves have been on a tight budget since being purchased by a corporate interest. Gimme a rich guy who wants to win ANY day.

[Abe Sargent]

Maybe we can trade our aircraft carrier for the Braves?


-Anxiety