Golden State Warriors for sale, Oracle chief may be a buyer

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The Golden State Warriors announced Monday that they are for sale, the Associated Press is reporting.

They may already have a buyer.

Oracle Corp. Chief Executive Larry Ellison has made it clear that he would like to purchase the team, and some fans have made it clear they would like him to do just that. During a January game attended by Ellison, a fan held a sign that read: ‘Dear Larry Ellison, please buy this team. Thanks, the Warriors fans.’

Ellison said in January he was trying to buy the team, but ‘unfortunately you can’t have a hostile takeover of a basketball team.’

Now he has his chance.

Current owner Chris Cohan hadn’t publicly stated that he was considering putting the team on the market until Monday. But many fans and some players have long felt new leadership is needed for a team that has only made one playoff appearance since 1994.

Last fall, Stephen Jackson finally got the trade out of Golden State for which he had been clamoring (he went to Charlotte). Star player Monta Ellis has also questioned whether he wants to play for Cohan.

-- Chuck Schilken