You must be a big fan of authoritarianism then. Funny what Americans will rationalize and excuse and normalize all to convince themselves that he's better than having this other person at the helm. Our country deserves better than a lifelong corrupt person who flaunts how much he loves other authoritarians like Putin and Xi.
More like a consumer of history including authoritarian history.
Trump is an authoritarian. You mentioned the MSM. Authoritarians ALWAYS try to control the media. I see his propaganda about “fake news” worked on you.
The New Deal policies seemed extreme to people at the time back in the 1930s with the country suffering through the Great Depression.
The Japanese American detention camps were fascist. Just like “Alligator Alcatraz” “detention center” is fascist. Making people suffer needlessly over an illegal immigration misdemeanor is a human rights abuse.
Now Trump wants to control the narrative of American history at the Smithsonian. He wants people to think that slavery wasn't as bad as recorded history has reported it. Typical authoritarian move. An authoritarian always wants citizens to be ignorant of the bad and ugly parts of their own country's history especially when it comes to past human rights abuses. Seems Trump is on a ‘white power’ move to bring back the Confederacy.
And you dislike Adam Schiff because Trump says to dislike him. So you dutifully obey like a good cult member.
Authoritarians like Trump are always out for retribution against all perceived enemies…especially the ones who try to hold him accountable for his actions.
This country would be a full-blown autocracy by now if Americans did not have so-called “TDS.” Trump would be in his third term. It's sickening how people keep trying to rationalize his words and actions when they wouldn't tolerate it in others.
Is it political or criminal? Please do let us know what other topics you deem yourself worthy to censor, we certainly don't want to offend your delicate sensitivities....
Fair enough. Just thought that JC’s sports blog isn’t the place for it. I have plenty of blue friends that I purposely don’t talk politics with. But unprompted they will trash on our POTUS. Inside I’m shrugging my shoulders at this. Their friendship means too much to me to push back, so I just ignore it.
I like what you said. While I tend to lean left, sometimes it's more wise to roll with whatever is said than jeopardize relationships. Unfortunately I've gotten so annoyed with both parties posturing that it makes me wonder where we're headed. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts.
Stupid comment..my brother in law did just that and got 15 yrs at Snake. Our family got a much tougher sentence. Before you go deep think about the topic and stay on it. Stop the dem rhetoric..
Yeah, I am surprised the Garcia's have not made a "small donation" to the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in exchange for a pardon. I mean this is america where everything is for sale and all that matters is money (of course, don't forget race).
Funny "small world" story related to Garcia II: I worked as a designer for a Scottsdale high-end home developer in 1979. We were building a project across from Lincoln Savings on McCormick Pkwy in Scottsdale. One of the clients who bought a townhouse was Charles Keating, the owner of Lincoln Savings which was on the south side of McCormick Pkwy. I spent time at Keating's home in Paradise Valley going over drawings with him. They had an art collection (owned by Lincoln Savings) that he wanted to display in the home, a guest home for his bank clients. He was very specific about where he wanted each power outlet to provide power to light each painting to be hung on the wall. He was a friendly enough man and obviously very wealthy, which impressed me as a 22 year old. He was new to the Phoenix area and I knew nothing of his history nor his future. It was a few years later that his empire fell apart (and that of Garcia and a few politicians like John McCain) when his entire banking business fell apart due to fraud in the S&L crisis. Keating also went to prison.
Anyone who wants to learn more about Charles Keating, American Continental (his real estate business) and Lincoln S&L (its banking / lending subsidiary) read this. He was quite a character and had a lot of Garcias in his orbit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Keating
Excellent reporting John. Anyone who follows the investment world closely knows that Carvana has a shady reputation and a huge report from an activist short selling research group accused them of being involved with full blown fraud back in January.
No one becomes a billionaire by being a boy scout. Follow the money and you will always come upon something unsavory. It was long one of the worst kept secrets that Donald Sterling was a racist, but the NBA tolerated him until a recorded conversation went public and they had no choice but to force him out. I doubt a 35 year old felony conviction is going to be a dealbreaker for the highest bidders.
Sterling and Sarver, both. Wonder if Garcia II is even listed as an investor or if Garcia III is. Also, wondering why there has been no statement from either Dundon or the Blazers after the initial reports surfaced.
Does make you wonder. Did Allen & Co. (I assume there is no relation to Paul/Jody) do extensive vetting before this process? Did the NBA have a say at any point? At least in Dundon's case he would have went through that process with the NHL, so I would assume his role as lead buyer was rubber-stamped, but I'm not familiar with any past instances of franchise sales where the group is scrambling to find minority investors after the bid is accepted.
Seems like this all happened pretty quickly, or at least quicker than I thought it would.
I've worked with Allen & Company in the past. Very well regarded, very thorough and very professional. A first class organization. In investment banking it doesn't get any better than this. And no, no relation to Paul Allen.
There's a great deal of truth behind the adage that, "behind every great fortune lies a great crime". However, I don't think the "everybody does it" defense washes all the dirt off everyone involved. There are degrees in difference, both small and large, in the actions that have made different people their vast fortunes. When the vast majority of the general public just throws up their hands and says everyone does it in response to actions ranging from blatantly criminal to unethical but legal, society will be seriously messed up. That's no longer a future tense thing, but I'm at the point of not supporting all the major league franchises that are owned by billionaire jerks, let alone major league franchises that are owned in whole or part by convicted felons who appear to be engaging in continued pattern of recidivist behavior in pursuit of wealth.
I'm not trying to defend or excuse the behavior at all. It definitely feel like we are entering, or have entered a second Gilded Age. But these days it's pretty much impossible to subsist without financially supporting someone who I would personally find objectionable, if not downright despicable. I guess I'm just not at the point yet where I'm wiling to give up one of the few simple pleasures (and escapes) that I still have.
(Though if I have to continue to subscribe to like six different streaming services to follow my favorite teams, all bets are off!)
I wrestle with the same dilemma but I've picked some spots where I feel that the purveyors of what I may have been buying in the past are way out of synch with my own principles and it feels good to me not to give them my money even if I would have otherwise liked to avail myself of the goods or services they're selling.
Mr Garcia committed a crime as a young man. Paid his debt to society. Many people were caught up in the Keating matter. Those were heady times and Keating was a kingmaker. Give Mr Garcia a break. His past, 35 years distant shouldn't disqualify him as a minority owner of an NBA franchise. He has to be better than the current owner.
"Heady times and Keating was a kingmaker". Wow! That's some professional turd polishing. I guess some people like to minimize the pernicious nature of white collar crime. Defrauding people of millions and setting the economy on its rear end is more forgivable than petty crimes.
Garcia should have been banned from any form of lending business. The guy is still shady as hell.
Also, just when you think things can't be worse, they actually can.
Now tell me how Ghislaine Maxwell deserves a break.
Wow I hope you have insurance to cover your defamation and slander of Mr Garcia. Or at least a few more facts. Also, we aren't talking about a lending business, we are talking about a sports team.
Somehow the image of a bunch of used car guys who like to rip off poor people is making me very nervous. Could work out but it doesn't really seem set up for success at the moment. It helps to remember that the Blazers' founder was a boxing promoter and those guys didn't have the most savory reputation at the time either. Wasn't a criminal though.
Here is another take. A used car guy who found a way for people with weak credit to own a car. People with bad credit should pay more because they are at higher risk of default. If you think poor credit risk buyer should get the same terms on their loans as lower risk borrowers, I invite you to put your money where your mouth is. No one forces people to buy and finance cars.
It’s been clear from the get go that Dundon, Sheel Tyle and the others, while wealthy, were not wealthy enough to chin $4 billion. I wonder if the NBA told the Garcia family they could come in as a 49% investor but not as a majority because of the conviction. On the other hand, it was a long time ago and he expressed remorse so I’m surprised they would hold it against him.
The current caretaker of the franchise was once accused of illegally smuggling giraffe and penguin bones, and also groping members of her security team. I guess the question can be asked, "did the Jail Blazers ever really leave?"
It feels like we are really early in this process. With a sale finalized no early than late winter or early spring, this story is probably going to take a few interesting twists and turns. I’m sure the wrinkles will iron themselves out along the way.
I am really considering becoming a felon. Seems the way to go. Hell, now I could even be president of the USA as a convicted felon.
Keep the political sh*t out of here, ESecPN? Not only are there plenty of other stacks for that, but half of us see that felony as a complete scam.
They just can’t help it..
The rent is free, and he’s living in their heads. It’s pretty wild.
Kinda reminds me of men in black..
Who’s? Garcia’s or Trumps.😅
Haha, nice one Ken ;) On the Garcia front, let’s run back them ‘Jail-Blazer’s’, starting’ from the top!
Agree Matt 💯
You must be a big fan of authoritarianism then. Funny what Americans will rationalize and excuse and normalize all to convince themselves that he's better than having this other person at the helm. Our country deserves better than a lifelong corrupt person who flaunts how much he loves other authoritarians like Putin and Xi.
Me thinks you may be consuming too much MSM. I think they may have said the same (authoritarian) about FDR 🤷
More like a consumer of history including authoritarian history.
Trump is an authoritarian. You mentioned the MSM. Authoritarians ALWAYS try to control the media. I see his propaganda about “fake news” worked on you.
The New Deal policies seemed extreme to people at the time back in the 1930s with the country suffering through the Great Depression.
The Japanese American detention camps were fascist. Just like “Alligator Alcatraz” “detention center” is fascist. Making people suffer needlessly over an illegal immigration misdemeanor is a human rights abuse.
Now Trump wants to control the narrative of American history at the Smithsonian. He wants people to think that slavery wasn't as bad as recorded history has reported it. Typical authoritarian move. An authoritarian always wants citizens to be ignorant of the bad and ugly parts of their own country's history especially when it comes to past human rights abuses. Seems Trump is on a ‘white power’ move to bring back the Confederacy.
I can see you are a subscriber to Adam Schiff's substack. Yikes!
And you dislike Adam Schiff because Trump says to dislike him. So you dutifully obey like a good cult member.
Authoritarians like Trump are always out for retribution against all perceived enemies…especially the ones who try to hold him accountable for his actions.
Thought John's piece was about the Trail blazers. Silly me, everything is about Trump. TDS is as addictive as crack.
This country would be a full-blown autocracy by now if Americans did not have so-called “TDS.” Trump would be in his third term. It's sickening how people keep trying to rationalize his words and actions when they wouldn't tolerate it in others.
Well as they say on the network news, “she said without evidence”
More like “he (Trump) said without evidence.”
Is it political or criminal? Please do let us know what other topics you deem yourself worthy to censor, we certainly don't want to offend your delicate sensitivities....
Gavin Newsom doesn’t want to beat Trump… he wants to be Trump.
Did ESecPN criticize your precious Donald? Grow up and get over it.
He’s not precious to me. Just let the man do his work? To me he’s an upgrade over the cabbage head who seemed to wander off now again.
It's fair to criticize both. There's plenty to criticize should one feel strongly opposed. Kinda the way it is these days.
Fair enough. Just thought that JC’s sports blog isn’t the place for it. I have plenty of blue friends that I purposely don’t talk politics with. But unprompted they will trash on our POTUS. Inside I’m shrugging my shoulders at this. Their friendship means too much to me to push back, so I just ignore it.
I like what you said. While I tend to lean left, sometimes it's more wise to roll with whatever is said than jeopardize relationships. Unfortunately I've gotten so annoyed with both parties posturing that it makes me wonder where we're headed. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts.
Stupid comment..my brother in law did just that and got 15 yrs at Snake. Our family got a much tougher sentence. Before you go deep think about the topic and stay on it. Stop the dem rhetoric..
Give that man a cigar …..
said Bill Clinton
Apparently more than one president, one former sec of state, a sitting US senator, a state AG agree with you.
Yeah, I am surprised the Garcia's have not made a "small donation" to the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in exchange for a pardon. I mean this is america where everything is for sale and all that matters is money (of course, don't forget race).
Weren’t they already pardoned with an “auto” pen? (Couldn’t resist)
Give it a rest.
Nothing in this column today gave me a good feeling. Great content and write up but bad news all around.
I had to go take a shower immediately after reading it.
Funny "small world" story related to Garcia II: I worked as a designer for a Scottsdale high-end home developer in 1979. We were building a project across from Lincoln Savings on McCormick Pkwy in Scottsdale. One of the clients who bought a townhouse was Charles Keating, the owner of Lincoln Savings which was on the south side of McCormick Pkwy. I spent time at Keating's home in Paradise Valley going over drawings with him. They had an art collection (owned by Lincoln Savings) that he wanted to display in the home, a guest home for his bank clients. He was very specific about where he wanted each power outlet to provide power to light each painting to be hung on the wall. He was a friendly enough man and obviously very wealthy, which impressed me as a 22 year old. He was new to the Phoenix area and I knew nothing of his history nor his future. It was a few years later that his empire fell apart (and that of Garcia and a few politicians like John McCain) when his entire banking business fell apart due to fraud in the S&L crisis. Keating also went to prison.
Anyone who wants to learn more about Charles Keating, American Continental (his real estate business) and Lincoln S&L (its banking / lending subsidiary) read this. He was quite a character and had a lot of Garcias in his orbit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Keating
Excellent reporting John. Anyone who follows the investment world closely knows that Carvana has a shady reputation and a huge report from an activist short selling research group accused them of being involved with full blown fraud back in January.
https://hindenburgresearch.com/carvana/
No one becomes a billionaire by being a boy scout. Follow the money and you will always come upon something unsavory. It was long one of the worst kept secrets that Donald Sterling was a racist, but the NBA tolerated him until a recorded conversation went public and they had no choice but to force him out. I doubt a 35 year old felony conviction is going to be a dealbreaker for the highest bidders.
Sterling and Sarver, both. Wonder if Garcia II is even listed as an investor or if Garcia III is. Also, wondering why there has been no statement from either Dundon or the Blazers after the initial reports surfaced.
Does make you wonder. Did Allen & Co. (I assume there is no relation to Paul/Jody) do extensive vetting before this process? Did the NBA have a say at any point? At least in Dundon's case he would have went through that process with the NHL, so I would assume his role as lead buyer was rubber-stamped, but I'm not familiar with any past instances of franchise sales where the group is scrambling to find minority investors after the bid is accepted.
Seems like this all happened pretty quickly, or at least quicker than I thought it would.
Also makes me wonder if the deal is really done. Where’s the public comment from the buyer and seller?
I've worked with Allen & Company in the past. Very well regarded, very thorough and very professional. A first class organization. In investment banking it doesn't get any better than this. And no, no relation to Paul Allen.
There's a great deal of truth behind the adage that, "behind every great fortune lies a great crime". However, I don't think the "everybody does it" defense washes all the dirt off everyone involved. There are degrees in difference, both small and large, in the actions that have made different people their vast fortunes. When the vast majority of the general public just throws up their hands and says everyone does it in response to actions ranging from blatantly criminal to unethical but legal, society will be seriously messed up. That's no longer a future tense thing, but I'm at the point of not supporting all the major league franchises that are owned by billionaire jerks, let alone major league franchises that are owned in whole or part by convicted felons who appear to be engaging in continued pattern of recidivist behavior in pursuit of wealth.
I'm not trying to defend or excuse the behavior at all. It definitely feel like we are entering, or have entered a second Gilded Age. But these days it's pretty much impossible to subsist without financially supporting someone who I would personally find objectionable, if not downright despicable. I guess I'm just not at the point yet where I'm wiling to give up one of the few simple pleasures (and escapes) that I still have.
(Though if I have to continue to subscribe to like six different streaming services to follow my favorite teams, all bets are off!)
I wrestle with the same dilemma but I've picked some spots where I feel that the purveyors of what I may have been buying in the past are way out of synch with my own principles and it feels good to me not to give them my money even if I would have otherwise liked to avail myself of the goods or services they're selling.
Mr Garcia committed a crime as a young man. Paid his debt to society. Many people were caught up in the Keating matter. Those were heady times and Keating was a kingmaker. Give Mr Garcia a break. His past, 35 years distant shouldn't disqualify him as a minority owner of an NBA franchise. He has to be better than the current owner.
"Heady times and Keating was a kingmaker". Wow! That's some professional turd polishing. I guess some people like to minimize the pernicious nature of white collar crime. Defrauding people of millions and setting the economy on its rear end is more forgivable than petty crimes.
Garcia should have been banned from any form of lending business. The guy is still shady as hell.
Also, just when you think things can't be worse, they actually can.
Now tell me how Ghislaine Maxwell deserves a break.
Wow I hope you have insurance to cover your defamation and slander of Mr Garcia. Or at least a few more facts. Also, we aren't talking about a lending business, we are talking about a sports team.
Todd Blanche? Is that you? You didn't tell me why Maxwell deserves a break.
Yikes.
Somehow the image of a bunch of used car guys who like to rip off poor people is making me very nervous. Could work out but it doesn't really seem set up for success at the moment. It helps to remember that the Blazers' founder was a boxing promoter and those guys didn't have the most savory reputation at the time either. Wasn't a criminal though.
Here is another take. A used car guy who found a way for people with weak credit to own a car. People with bad credit should pay more because they are at higher risk of default. If you think poor credit risk buyer should get the same terms on their loans as lower risk borrowers, I invite you to put your money where your mouth is. No one forces people to buy and finance cars.
It’s been clear from the get go that Dundon, Sheel Tyle and the others, while wealthy, were not wealthy enough to chin $4 billion. I wonder if the NBA told the Garcia family they could come in as a 49% investor but not as a majority because of the conviction. On the other hand, it was a long time ago and he expressed remorse so I’m surprised they would hold it against him.
Wow John, fascinating read! Or “very interesting” as Arte Johnson would say in a Laugh In skit.
The Carvana Center at the Rose Garden
Great reporting JC!
Interesting stuff. I missed the boat somewhere thank god I could swim.
Jesus holy cow! Well cooked? You can’t find people like this.
Return of the Jailblazers?
The current caretaker of the franchise was once accused of illegally smuggling giraffe and penguin bones, and also groping members of her security team. I guess the question can be asked, "did the Jail Blazers ever really leave?"
This time around it appears the roster has much more upstanding people on it than the ownership will have in it's rank ranks.
The good news is it wouldn't be the players this time; the bad news is it's the people that sign their paychecks.
First thought in my head as I read this!
can you say “house of cards?”
Should be intere$ting
It feels like we are really early in this process. With a sale finalized no early than late winter or early spring, this story is probably going to take a few interesting twists and turns. I’m sure the wrinkles will iron themselves out along the way.
Lots of twists ahead.
The only wrinkles that matter are how many "wrinkled Benjamins" are involved.
LOL!!! No doubt.