SuperSonics Reportedly to Be Sold

The Seattle SuperSonics are close to being sold for a reported price of $200 million to a group headed by Howard Schultz, the chairman of the Starbucks coffee chain.

The seller is Barry Ackerley, who bought the team for $16 million in 1983. The sale could be announced by the end of this week, a league source told the Associated Press.

It would be the first sale of an NBA franchise since Mark Cuban bought the Dallas Mavericks last year for $280 million.

“The Ackerley Group does not comment on rumors, but, as is our corporate strategy and commitment, we are continually evaluating different strategic alternatives with respect to all of our assets, including possible acquisitions, sales or divestitures,� Ackerley’s company said in a statement.

Starbucks spokeswoman Cheri Libby said the coffee company is not buying the team, but she said she could not speak for Schultz, who could not be reached for comment.

ESPN reported the sale price as $200 million for the team, which could reportedly lose as much as $10 million this season and has seen declining ticket sales since the 1998-99 NBA lockout.

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Rod Strickland of the Washington Wizards was arrested and charged with drunken driving in another legal entanglement for the disgruntled guard.

Strickland hasn’t played in nearly two weeks because of an injured shoulder and a clash with management over his work habits. He has also asked to be traded from the Wizards.

Strickland was arrested early Sunday after driving erratically on the parkway near CIA headquarters in McLean, Va., police said Monday.

Strickland refused to take a breathalyzer test, U.S. Park Police spokesman Sgt. Rob MacLean said. He has been charged with driving under the influence and failure to stay in lanes.

Strickland completed a year’s probation and 30 hours of community service for a 1998 conviction for driving under the influence. He was acquitted of a similar charge in 1999.

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Phoenix Sun forward Shawn Marion might be sidelined one week because of a strained right knee he suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team said. . . . Charlotte Hornet forward Jamal Mashburn needs further tests on his inflamed left knee after missing the last two games. He missed 64 games after undergoing surgery on the same knee in 1996. . . . Utah Jazz forward Bryon Russell will miss tonight’s game against the Indiana Pacers because of a sprained right ankle and a bone chip on his right fibula. He was hurt during Saturday’s victory over the Houston Rockets.