So, Bruce Levenson’s words were enough for David Stern to have an ergency eting overnight and use all his power to kick him out of the NBA.
He completely collapsed.
Afterwards, Roger switched through several channels and found that all the sports networks were focusing on this incident.
NBC’s Bill Walton said, "This is heartbreaking and shocking news."
Michael Jordan, now a part of the ownership, comnted in an interview, "This is the biggest disgrace in the history of NBA franchises."
TNT’s Kenny Smith was particularly outraged: "The pitchforks are sharpened, and the torches are lit, so instead of letting them go to waste, why not use them to punish that bastard hard? This team owner who disrespects Black and Asian people should quickly disappear from the League!"
Wonderful, absolutely fucking wonderful.
This is the Atlanta Hawks’ shareholder team, seemingly unable to feel at ease for long without stirring up so drama.
Roger wouldn’t pretend that he felt no waves in his heart; he thought Bruce Levenson’s unexpected downfall was well-deserved for his previous foolish actions.
But was this really just an accident?
This email was from Bruce Levenson to Michael Gillen, so logically only the two of them knew the content of the email.
If not entirely unprepared, Bruce Levenson wouldn’t have said such things.
How did emails between two people beco known and disclosed by "sources"?
Did so secretary of Michael Gillen accidentally see the email and then leak it to the dia?
Or was it Michael Gillen himself who exposed it!?
After all, once Bruce Levenson’s shares were internally divided, Michael Gillen would beco the top leader of the Atlanta Hawks.
He was the biggest beneficiary of this incident.
In the NBA, getting shares isn’t just about having money; others must be willing to sell to you.
Originally, Michael Jordan had enough wealth to buy the whole Washington Wizards, but to get shares, he still had to watch the face of the Wizards’ big boss Abe Pollin.
It’s the sa for Michael Gillen; to get more shares, he must force Bruce Levenson to give up his shares, just like they once forced Steve Belkin.
And with this incident’s exposure, Michael Gillen naturally beca the primary ruler of the Atlanta Hawks.
Considering that Michael Gillen’s opportunistic nature had led him to betray Steve Belkin for his own gain, it’s not surprising that he might betray Bruce Levenson for the sa reason.
But those matters were none of Roger’s business anymore; in fact, this incident made Sister Lu more determined to leave.
A completely disunited shareholder team, filled with intense power struggles, could never lead a team to greatness.
In the afternoon, Michael Gillen appeared at the Emory Healthcare Center claiming he has taken full charge of the team, urging the players to maintain confidence: "Bruce has paid the price; you don’t have to be affected by him. From now on, everyone can focus wholeheartedly on winning!"
Judging from Michael Gillen’s smug expression, he was probably the "source."
After training, Michael Gillen wanted to invite Roger to the office for a talk.
There’s no need to guess what he wanted to discuss; as the new leader of this team, he couldn’t just let the cash cow leave.
But Roger insisted there was nothing worth discussing between them.
Michael Gillen had no choice but to wait for Roger after practice in the player tunnel. If he finally got the Hawks but couldn’t keep its biggest asset, what would be the point of it all?
"Listen, Roger, Bruce is gone. He will never be a problem again; we can continue to work together—why insist on leaving?"
"Michael, you should really go to Hollywood; your harmless appearance makes everyone underestimate you. First, you backstabbed Steve, then your new friend Bruce. How do I know what kind of chaos you will bring to the team next ti? You all can continue your power struggles, but I’ve had enough, and I’m not interested in your gas of power, just so."
Roger hated the feeling of things being out of his control, and all those unexpected events making Roger lose control were mostly manufactured by the Hawks’ shareholder team this year.
Roger’s disgust for the Hawks’ shareholder team had made it impossible to trust them again; just thinking of their ugly scheming for profits made Roger sick.
And in all these events, Michael Gillen played the role of the shit-stirrer, essentially the promoter of all these things.
NBA is indeed a business, but competitive sports have their uniqueness; it can’t simply be a business.
Shaquille O’Neal left the Magic partly because he was dissatisfied with the team’s renewal deal, but also because he didn’t want to be subordinate to Roger; his departure wasn’t entirely about money.
Michael Jordan left Chicago not only because of a 30 million salary but also because the Bulls didn’t want to keep the championship roster; his departure wasn’t entirely about money either.
Soone who turns competitive sports into pure business is destined to be despised.
Not just owners, but players as well.
Roger can be sure that even without Bruce Levenson, the shareholder team led next by Michael Gillen won’t be any better.
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