er handgun until Hernandez alerted him to it. And he said he only fired after Smith went back to his car to grab his own gun.Assistant

NEWARK, N. Cheapest Kyrie Shoes .J. -- The new owners of the New Jersey Devils are keeping long-time executive Lou Lamoriello in charge of hockey operations, bringing in a new business team and committing to make the three-time Stanley Cup champions an organization looked toward as a model of excellence. Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris and business partner David Blitzer on Thursday bought the Devils and the lease to the Prudential Center from Jeff Vanderbeek for $320 million. The deal was delayed roughly 15 minutes on Thursday morning because lawyers needed more time to sign off on the transfer of the financially strapped NHL team, which the leagues board of governors approved on Wednesday. "What I am interested in is absolute success on and off the ice, and having the highest quality people and bringing the fans a great experience and winning," said Harris, the co-founder of Apollo Global Management. Harris dispelled rumours that he might consider moving the 76ers to Newark. He has a lease at the Wells Fargo Center with Comcast Spectacor, which also owns the NHLs Flyers. "The Sixers are staying in Philly," Harris said. He added that he and Blitzer viewed the purchase of the Devils, who lost roughly $25 million in the past year, and the lease as a chance to turn around a struggling franchise. "Weve had a lot of success at identifying literally the best, highest-quality management teams and then bringing them into situations and letting them do their thing and holding them accountable," Harris said. "Other people may like to meddle in it. What we like to do in essence is agree what the vision is, what the business plan is and then resource it and allow people to do their jobs." Lamoriello has been the architect of the Devils fortunes since 1987 and thats not going to change. "I hope he stays here another 26 years," Blitzer said of the 70-year-old president and general manager. Lamoriello refused to say whether the new owners have given him a blank cheque, but added "they are committed to winning." Harris and Blitzer selected Scott ONeil as the Devils chief executive officer, a job he also has with the 76ers. The former Madison Square Garden Sports chief executive will work with both teams and Hugh Weber, the former New Orleans Hornets president, will be the everyday business leader in Newark. Harris and Blitzer, who is the senior managing director of the Blackstone Group, needed about a week to close the deal after talks with Philadelphia lawyer Andrew Barroway fell through. Harris said he had made inquiries about buying the team months ago but they were delayed because Vanderbeek has involved in talks with another suitor. Vanderbeek, who has been the majority owner of the Devils since 2004, will remain with the team as a senior adviser. He had mixed emotions after a 10-year run in which he led the effort to build "The Rock" but couldnt raise enough money to keep the team. "It certainly is bittersweet," said Vanderbeek, who refused to say whether he retained a minority share in the team. "There were other opportunities along the way to perhaps do things differently. But you know what? At some point you have to think about the future, the larger whole, and this was the right thing when it came to that." Harris said getting the lease to the Prudential Center was an essential part of the deal because concerts at what has been an under-used facility this past year will general money. The Devils won the Stanley Cup in 1995, 2000 and 2003, and won additional Eastern Conference championships in 2001 and 2012. They missed the playoffs in the recent lockout-shortened season and were stunned when 30-year-old superstar forward Ilya Kovalchuk decided to play in his native Russia. The Devils moved to New Jersey in 1982, playing at the Meadowlands after relocating from Colorado. "This is positive for this franchise, for this building and Newark," Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "There is terrific ownership with resources and talent with can take the team and the building to the next level." Harris and Blitzer continue a trend of rich financiers buying sports teams. Some may want a play thing or bragging rights. Others see their teams as legitimate investments, a way to diversify away from just stocks and bonds. While possession of a sports team isnt necessarily a great way to bring in consistent cash profits, owners can make money if they turn a team around and sell it at a profit years down the road -- exactly what private equity firms do with struggling companies. Some financiers are hands-on owners, such as Stuart Sternberg of the Tampa Bay Rays or John Henry of the Red Sox. David Tepper owns a stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Mark Attansio is principal owner of the Milwaukee Brewers. Hedge fund operator Steve Cohen owns a piece of the Mets. Air Max 95 Clearance Sale . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Fake Kd Shoes . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. http://www.wholesalenikeshoesclearance.c...ving-shoes.html . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans district attorney said hell seek 60 years in prison for the man who killed New Orleans Saints star Will Smith -- the maximum 40 years for manslaughter, plus another 20 years for attempted manslaughter in the wounding of Smiths wife.We will do our gut-level best to get the judge to impose the maximum sentence of 60 years, Leon Cannizzaro told reporters Monday.Cardell Hayes was found guilty Sunday night after insisting that he only fired because the retired NFL player was drunk and violent and had grabbed a gun following their collision in traffic last April.No one else testified Smith ever held a gun. A loaded .9-mm semi-automatic handgun was found loaded but unused inside Smiths car.Smith, a 34-year-old father of three, was a defensive leader on the Saints team that lifted spirits in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. He helped carry the team to a winning season in 2006 and a Super Bowl victory four years later.His death in a dispute over traffic was shocking, even for a city with a high rate of homicides.Hayes, 29, will be sentenced on Feb. 17. State Judge Camille Buras will have the option of imposing less than the maximum sentences, and could order them served concurrently. But the D.A. said the crime warrants maximum sentences, served one after the other.Hayes would have faced a mandatory life sentence had he been found guilty as charged of second-degree murder, and Racquel Smith will press for a harsh sentence when she gives her victim impact statement before the sentencing, according to a statement from the family.Its very unfortunate that another child will grow up without a father, said Raquel Smiths lawyer, Peter Thomson, referring to Hayes 6-year-old son. But Mr. Hayes, regardless of that, must face the consequences of his actions under our system of laws.Friends and relatives of Hayes, a former semi-pro football player who owns a towing company, left court without commenting Sunday night.Hayes defense said Smiths popularity led to a rush to judgment by police and prosecutors. Assistant District Attorney Laura Rodrigue countered that the defense was trying to smear Smith.A pathologist report showed Smmith was legally drunk that night, after spending time at the citys annual French Quarter Festival, a bar and two restaurants. Air Max 95 Replica. He was driving with his wife and another couple, who were traveling with a group of friends in several cars -- when his Mercedes SUV may have lightly bumped Hayes Hummer.Smith then drove off, with Hayes in pursuit. Hayes vehemently denied intentionally ramming the SUV moments later -- he said he was trying to dial 911 to report a hit-and-run and didnt realize how close their cars were.The jury appeared to agree with Hayes on this point, finding him not guilty of aggravated criminal damage to property.Cannizzaro said Monday that Smiths apparent anger and his high blood-alcohol level were likely factors in the jurys decision to hand up a lesser verdict than murder. But, he said he was satisfied with the two convictions, each reached on a 10-2 vote of the 12-member jury.Hayes said he armed himself only after he and his own passenger were accosted by Smith and Richard Hernandez, a passenger in Smiths Mercedes.Hayes also testified that Smith didnt notice his .45-caliber handgun until Hernandez alerted him to it. And he said he only fired after Smith went back to his car to grab his own gun.Assistant Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Napoli repeatedly noted that no other witness said Smith was armed, and that Hayes never told investigators he saw a gun in Smiths hands that night.I never gave a full statement to anyone, Hayes responded.Napoli said in closing arguments that Smith was executed as Hayes fired into his body, once in the side and seven times in the back.This young man tried his best, trying to avoid doing what he had to do, defense attorney John Fuller shouted during his thundering closing, which lasted more than three and a half hours.Saints coach Sean Payton was in court for the late Sunday verdict. A host of past and present Saints players, including former safety Steve Gleason, current quarterback Drew Brees and former running back Deuce McAllister, also attended the trial. ' ' '