How interested are Semel and Viola?
Semel is very interested and is seeking investment partners in both the sports and media worlds. He is reportedly being helped by Ari Emmanuel, brother of Rahm Emmanuel, White House Chief of Staff…and the model for Ari Gold, the hyper-aggressive agent in “Entourage”, the HBO comedy about Hollywood. Viola appears to be in the lead position, having substantial capital—more than Semel but less than Prokhorov–and enough of the Nets’ preferred stock to thwart either of the other bids if he wants to. Or he simply sell out if their offers are too good to pass up. Viola has made his money as a Wall Street trader and entrepreneur and will wait and see what Semel can bring to the table before he makes his decision says a source close to the Nets. Like Semel, he is recruiting other high net worth individuals to join his group. He has already told Ratner he would not accept an arrangement where Ratner retains control of Barclays Center and he is left with the team.
