The Atlanta Hawks ownership group is working to finalize the sale of the team to a group led by billionaire equity and investment fund manager Antony Ressler, three people familiar with the process told USA TODAY Sports.
They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly until the sale is complete.
Ressler’s group, which includes former NBA player Grant Hill and Jesse Itzler, the co-founder of Marquis Jet, will buy the Hawks from Bruce Levenson, Michael Gearon Jr., and other investors for $850 million.
Zilgitt also noted that the Duke connection with Hill could improve exiled general manager Danny Ferry’s chances of remaining with the team.