Blank Says He’s Had Conversations About Buying Braves

Braves

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank says he has had conversations with officials about buying the Atlanta Braves.

But Blank — who also owns the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League — tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he is not sure if he wants to make the commitment of owning a third sports franchise.

Speculation about Blank buying the Braves began after it was made public last week that Time Warner wanted to sell the Braves along with cable television network Turner South.

Blank says he has had several conversations with Braves or Time Warner officials. When pressed, he defined the number as “more than two and less than five.”

Time Warner, unhappy with the financial performance of its regional cable network, Turner South, said last week it had retained Allen and Company to explore a possible sale of the network and the Braves.

Estimates vary on the value of the Braves-Turner South package. Expert John Mansell of Kagan Research says he would put the combined package at about 600 (m) million dollars.

Wal-Mart Greeter Debunks ‘Merry Christmas’ Rumor

Wal-Mart

(AP) – A Greenwood clergyman says he was stunned to hear the rumor that the Wal-Mart greeter in that town was fired for wishing customers a “Merry Christmas.”

That’s because the Reverend Aaron Walker is the greeter and he still has a job.

The story that a greeter had been fired for saying “Merry Christmas” has passed through the Greenwood area in the past few weeks in e-mails, prayer lists and by residents.

How the rumor started, nobody knows.

But it’s been fueled by the recent nationwide media buzz over whether references to Christmas are being taken away.

Some people got so angry after hearing the story, they threatened to return merchandise.

But co-Manager Kevin Roten says nobody’s ever been fired from his store for saying Merry Christmas.

Panthers and Falcons Stack Pro Bowl Roster

Panthers and Falcons Stack Pro Bowl Roster

N-F-L Pro Bowl rosters have been announced.

Both the Falcons and Panthers are well represented.

Michael Vick and Alge Crumpler lead Atlanta’s contingent to Hawaii.

Also going from the Falcons are Rod Coleman, Keith Brooking, and DeAngelo Hall.

Carolina’s star-studded tandem of Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith can also book flights to Honolulu.

They will be joined with Panther teammates Mark Wall and Julius Peppers.