Possibly obscured by news that the Bobcats scored Larry Brown was Mandalay Properties’ anouncement that NBA exec Kevin Terry was hired to prep the Winston-Salem Warthogs for their first season in the new $22 million, taxpayer-funded stadium.
Terry most recently was exec vp of ticket sales for the New Orleans Hornets, who just finished off the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA playoffs, costing Mavs coach Avery Johnson his job.
Down in the Big Easy, owner George Shinn says the Hornets’ playoff run will help the team break even after preseason projection it would lose $20 million. But don’t worry, Shinn’s never afraid to ask for help:
Shinn also said officials from the team and state are negotiating a long-term contract for the Hornets to remain in the NBA’s smallest media market, which is recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
The team is asking for subsidies from the state, including cash and tax rebates, Shinn said without being specific.
Note, too, that the New Orleans Arena is getting on 10 years old. Shinn doesn’t like them too much older.
