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SEATTLE — Steve Ballmers departure from the group looking to bring the NBA back to Seattle isnt derailing lead investor Chris Hansens hopes of getting a team back in the region. Cheap Shoes Wholesale . Hansen told The Associated Press on Monday that he is confident hell be able to find investors to take Ballmers place in his group that is trying to build a new arena and last year nearly bought and moved the Sacramento Kings to Seattle. Hansen is the majority investor in the project, but said it would likely take more than one person to replace Ballmers investment. Other than Hansen, the only other known partners in the investment group are members of the Nordstrom department store family. Hansen said he wont put a limit on the number of investors at this time. „I think we want to have a reasonable group of partners,“ Hansen said. „That will be the thing that is probably most missed from Steves involvement. One, hes a great guy and very successful in his career and would have added a lot of insights and value in operating the team. Thats probably the first thing that will be missed from having him as a partner and the second thing, given his net worth, (he) had the ability to be really the only other partner that we needed. In all likelihood there are not a lot of Steve Ballmers in the world with his financial well-being, so in all likelihood I think its reasonable to assume we have a few more partners rather than just one.“ Seattles hopes seemed to take a blow last week when Ballmer agreed to buy the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion. Among other things, it raised questions about whether Ballmers decision should be taken as a sign that Seattles hopes of getting a franchise are dwindling. Hansen tried to calm those concerns, noting the environmental reviews on the proposed arena site are ongoing and that he remains committed to continuing the process both with the arena and a team. Hansens memorandum of understanding with the city of Seattle and King County on the arena goes through November 2017. „Everybody is very interested in what that means for right now. In six to nine months this will pass and well still be here trying to get our arena built and still be here trying to pursue a franchise and I think that is what is most important,“ Hansen said. „There is nothing we have to do. We own the land outright. There is no immediate time pressure that we have to do something and thats been very well received by the NBA as well — the fact were willing to be patient and endure through this.“ Because of a lack of buzz about the NBA prior to Ballmer agreeing to purchase the Clippers, questions about whether the NHL could be first to land in Seattle have increased. It peaked recently when NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman flew to Seattle during the NHL playoffs to meet with Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and King County executive Dow Constantine. Hansen reiterated he does not have an interest in being the majority owner of an NHL franchise. But hes willing to partner with another investor who has that passion for the NHL. That would require a restructuring of the memorandum of understanding and Hansen said any re-writing of the deal would have to be initiated by the city and county. „We would like to be accommodative to get the NHL here. There should be no question about that. Were building this arena as a two-sport building. It has the larger footprint for hockey. Weve worked hard to do that. We would like to do everything in our power to allow hockey to come here in a way that makes sense for the NHL and for a prospective partner,“ Hansen said. Cheap Shoes Replica . A rainy day saw the former champion Djokovic handle 14th-seeded Frenchman Jo- Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) under the roof on the famed Centre Court. Cheap Shoes For Sale . – Jerome Verrier scored the winner 8:24 into overtime and Louis-Phillip Guindon stopped 46 shots as the Drummondville Voltigeurs edged the host Val-dOr Foreurs 4-3 on Friday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action.Watching reigning rushing champion Jon Cornish go at it against last years No. 2 rusher Kory Sheets in Round 2 of the 2013 season was the most enjoyable game Ive seen in a long, long time. In the air raid, or pass-happy mentality of the CFL, the change of pace and focus towards the running attacks for both the Saskatchewan and Calgary offenses provided all the hype necessary for a classic contest. Cornish and Sheets did not disappoint. Some of the fodder for the rivalry started this off-season, when Cornish felt like the B.C. Lions did not show any respect for the Stampeders; even though the Lions were beaten in the West Final last season by the Calgary team. So, the first time the teams face each other this year, Cornish promptly goes out and puts up 172 yards on 24 carries and a couple of TDs. On the night, he had 25 touches for 192 yards. Plus, Sheets has stolen some, if not all, of the spotlight from Cornish because hes straight up balling this year and off to the fastest start through six games in the history of the CFL. (132 carries for 845 yards) You may be wondering why on earth I mentioned the Lions and Stamps matchup when this article is about the best running backs in the game today. Well, two things. Andrew Harris should be in the conversation when discussing the best ball carries in the CFL today. Secondly, Harris numbers (five carries for 20 yards and three catches for 20 yards) paled in comparison to Cornishs on the night. Remember in Week 5 of the 2012 season, Cornish was held to an unthinkable number (six carries for minus one yard and two catches for 24 yards). Can you say, uh oh? So with that said, Im thinking there are a few consistencies with how Cornish operates — dont disrespect him or his teammates, and you cant keep Jon down. If you do pop off or somehow manage to corral this horse, anticipate a tremendous effort and or perforrmance in retaliation. Cheap Shoes Discount. You see, go back to Week 2 of this season when the Riders put a whooping on the Stamps and Sheets out-shined the reigning rushing champ. Sheets numbers were 26 carries for 133 yards and another two catches for 14 yards. Cornish was held in check — eight carries and only 42 yards. Fast forward to Friday Night Football at McMahon Stadium this past week. We witnessed the two best running backs in the CFL go at it for the second time this season, with Cornish carrying that proverbial chip on his shoulder for what happened in Week 2 and, BANG…he goes off and steps up his game once again… Hello!!! Bottom line is; I cant wait for Round 3 of the Sheets vs. Cornish ground and pound. Should be another must-see game! And if you cant wait that long, catch Cornish and Harris going mano y mano this Saturday night (TSN, TSN Mobile TV at 9pm et/6pm pt) Heres a closer look at Cornishs ability to rebound, thanks to ace TSN stat guy, Jon Perlberg!!! After Cornish was held to minus-1 yard by the Lions in Week 5 last year, he responded in his next game with a then-career-high 170 yards on 20 carries against the Ticats. Not to mention, that negative rushing game by Cornish spurred an incredible eight-game stretch that saw Jon rush for 928 yards (116 per game). Also, this is the fourth straight time Cornish has responded with a big bounce back game vs. the Riders following a rough outing the time before. In other words, the Riders havent been able to shut him down two times in a row. Cornish vs. Riders 2011: 3 carries, 16 yards – bounce back game: 13 carries, 149 yards, 2 TD2012: 11 carries, 39 yards – bounce back game: 24 carries, 159 yards and  12 carries, 67 yards. Bounce back game: 18 carries, 109 yards (West Semi-Final)2013: 8 carries, 42 yards – bounce back game: 16 carries, 175 yards, 4 TD Ready Break!!! ‚ ‚ ‚