By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Former Panathinaikos OPAP head coach and current boss of the Greek national team, Rick Pitino, alongside Stu Jackson and Jamal Mashburn, identified as the previously reported investors interested to purchase French Jeep Elite Pro A team Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez, EBPLO, according to La Republique des Pyrenees.
Pitino confirmed the news will speaking remotely on the Front Runners in Sports Management, which was organized yesterday in Greece. “I am part of the group looking for a way to bring back the Seattle SuperSonics to the NBA,” he mentioned, “My suggestion was to first purchase a team in Europe for us to gain relevant experience. We tried to find a team in Greece, but we couldn’t find the right one.”
The involved parties are nearing an agreement. The negotiations for a possible takeover by Pitino, his former assistant, and former player were launched several months ago, adds the French outlet.
Pitino, 68, current Iona head coach, made his way to Panathinaikos for two separate stints between 2018 and 2020.
Jackson, 65, worked under Pitino from 1985 to 1987 and together moved to the New York Knicks in 1987.
Mashburn, 48, played under Pitino at Kentucky from 1990 to 1993.