Okay, so it’s still way too early to gauge what this ownership shift might mean to the Golden State Warriors, but you could forgive Golden State fans if they’re feeling a bit wistful this afternoon. Larry Ellison, one of the top ten richest men in the world (#6), wanted to buy their team, apparently wanted to spend money on turning them into a winner, and generally looked primed to change the fortunes of one of the NBA’s perennial basement dwellers.
Larry Ellison’s Warriors Statement: ‘I Was The Highest Bidder’
Then, just when dreams were about to come true, the deal fell through. At the last moment, Ellison was outbid by an ownership group nobody saw coming WHAT? HE WASN’T OUTBID? Maybe not. In a statement as brief as it is acerbic, Ellison tells his side of the story:
Although I was the highest bidder, Chris Cohan decided to sell to someone else. In my experience this is a bit unusual. Nonetheless, I wish the Warriors and their fans nothing but success under their new ownership.
Annnd... If the Warriors fans didn’t riot on Chris Cohan’s front lawn while Cohan was systematically running the team into the ground, then he’s probably safe from the angry mobs now. Probably.
But good lord, if Ellison’s telling the truth, you have to wonder what could compel an owner to turn down more money.
- Petty resentment?
- Financial insanity? Lingering frustration over intense negotiations?
- Just generally being the worst owner you could possibly imagine? So terrible that, even while selling the team, he managed to screw over the fans?
Any of those could be plausible answers to the Warriors riddle. But while we wait for definitive feedback, I imagine Golden State fans are wondering what might have been with Ellison and his deep pockets taking control, and find themselves asking a slightly different question:
- What did we do to deserve this?
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