Atlanta Thrashers fans come in two varieties at this point: those who've completely lost all faith and want Winnipeg to take the Atlanta Hawks too, and those who still hold out hope in a local white knight, perhaps the long-awaited "The Balkan" figure, to swoop in and buy the team. The latter group also wants rid of the Hawks, but they'll get over it.
Sports Illustrated's Jay Clemons, the only print media member to confirm the existence of John Kincade's potential buyer of the entire Atlanta Spirit Group suite including Philips Arena, says "The Balkan" will become personally known to Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed and company Friday. He also added that "a few" media members know exactly who he is, which is more than two.
Reed's office did not respond to a morning request for comment.
Previously, the mayor's spokesperson said it would continue to work with local business to raise support for the team, but that the city could not commit money to the franchise in the same manner as Glendale did for the Phoenix Coyotes.
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