Both Funk and Bennett might be willing to step up to the plate to invest in the Hornets. I'd personally like to see Funk get majority ownership in the team.
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Area businessmen willing to talk to Hornets

By Berry Tramel
The Oklahoman

Two prominent Oklahoma City businessmen say they would be willing to talk with Hornets owner George Shinn, who is seeking local investors for his NBA franchise, but both expressed reservations.


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Clay Bennett, who headed the corporate push that helped bring the Hornets to town, said Tuesday that local ownership is important for a franchise but it is premature, considering the Hornets’ unsettled fate.

Bob Funk, who owns Express Personnel, the Oklahoma City Blazers hockey team and Oklahoma RedHawks baseball club, said Tuesday that he and Shinn would be in contact. But Funk said he generally is not excited about being a minority partner.

Shinn does not want to sell controlling interest in his franchise, which relocated from New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and has been a box-office sensation in Oklahoma City’s Ford Center. Shinn had been seeking investors to the team before its relocation.

Tuesday, Bennett, president of private investment firm Dorchester Capital, released a statement that said: “We are focused on this year and making it a complete success for our city. The support the Hornets continue to receive from fans, sponsors and pioneer partners in Oklahoma City has exceeded expectations. Every indication so far points to success. “Community ownership is no doubt a key factor in the success of sports franchises. At this moment, the NBA is engaged in a thoughtful process to determine where the Hornets will play next year. Until that decision is made, any discussion about local ownership is premature, in my opinion.”