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J.B. Smith, Local Group Not Viable Atlanta Thrashers Buyers, Says Chris Vivlamore

Atlanta Thrashers fans got two pieces of potentially encouraging news Tuesday, with J.B. Smith being revealed as the long-rumored potential buyer of the entire Atlanta Spirit Group sports suite and a group of local shoppers reportedly presenting ASG with a Thrashers-only offer sheet.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution's Chris Vivlamore, however, said while on the Winnipeg Free Press' Hustler & Lawless show that neither of the two is anything to get excited about. Smith has reportedly failed to present his financials to anyone's satisfaction, and that the group's offer was only a presentation of interest, not any sort of extended negotiation.

Vivlamore also said that the party reportedly interested in buying the Hawks and Philips Arena has exclusive negotiating rights, thereby confirming that report for us.

The end of the road shouldn't be much longer. Ownership wants rid of this team at any cost, and it looks like it's going to get its way.

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Photographs by coka_koehler used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.