What's the story with the old Hornets owner? I haven't really read or heard anything about what exactly happened, but didn't he just kind of bail on the team and leave it to the NBA to run?
No not at all. He simply lost money the whole time he owned the team and he eventually didn't want to keep putting in money while he didn't get any profit. Then instead of contracting the team, Stern made it NBA owned basically, which almost had been happening for years as they had been giving the team money to stay afloat.
http://deadspin.com/5708313/the-new-orleans-hornets-sad-financial-documents/gallery/The owner operated at a loss for years and spent his own money to keep the team alive. The Hornets will not remain in New Orleans, that team is doomed and Stern has been trying to keep it there foolishly. I don't think he was a great owner or anything but that situation is not placed on him.
Either way, he's not in the Sterling discussion. And Sterling has made profit over the years.... ugh it's disgusting.
