CLEVELAND: Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert continues to expand his holdings in Northeast Ohio.
On Tuesday, Cavs and Quicken Loans Arena President Len Komoroski announced the acquisition of the Arena Football League’s Cleveland Gladiators from lawyer Jim Ferraro.
Ferraro moved the arena team from Las Vegas in 2007.
Word of the sale had been rumored for several days, although a deal wasn’t officially completed until Tuesday.
Ferraro declined to get into specifics, but said that he wanted to sell the team because he hasn’t been able to devote the time to running it and, after a period of mismanagement, he thought that selling it to Gilbert would allow the Gladiators to thrive.
“For me, this is bittersweet, but there is an element of happiness for me in this,” he said, “because I know the team that I started is going to thrive and be here for years to come.”
Komoroski said that to make the transition as smooth as possible, former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar will continue to serve in his role as a special adviser to the organization, a move that makes sense given the friendship he shares with Gilbert. Kosar attended last year’s NBA Draft lottery with Gilbert.
Coached by Steve Thonn, the Gladiators won the AFL’s East Division last year.
The Gladiators will be the fourth professional sports team that Gilbert owns and operates in the area. In addition to the Cavs and Gladiators, Gilbert owns the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League and the Canton Charge of the NBA-Developmental League.
Parker misses game
Guard Anthony Parker missed Tuesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors because of a stiff back, according to team officials.
He could miss three games, but the Cavs hope he can return for Friday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls.
“That’s what we’re hoping. We’re going to take it slow obviously,” Cavs coach Byron Scott said. “We kept him off everything today and we’ll do the same thing tomorrow and see how he feels Thursday and go from there.”
Until Parker’s return, Scott will go with three guards.
“If I want to throw another guy back there, obviously I can throw Alonso [Gee] back there as a guard,” he said. “Right now, the rotation will probably be a nine-man rotation with Kyrie and Ramon handling the guard situation.”
Yes, he’s pleased
Not many have expected much from the Cavs except the Cavs themselves. Scott expected his mix of younger players and savvy veterans to go 3-4 on the recently completed seven-game road trip, considering it a good effort.
“I thought it was great on this road trip. I thought the camaraderie was fantastic,” Scott said.
Rookie Tristan Thompson said the trip helped the team.
“It was a long trip and it definitely helped us grow and bond together as a team and build that chemistry, especially being a young team going through a basketball season’s ups and downs,” he said. “It definitely can help us out come March or April.”
Buzzer beaters
Tuesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors concluded the Cavs’ fourth set of back-to-back game this season. They went into Tuesday night’s game 0-3 in the second game of those back-to-back games.
George M. Thomas can be reached at gmthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Zips blog at http://zips.ohio.com. Follow the Zips on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/GeorgeThomasABJ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sports.abj.
