MILWAUKEE -- The NBAs board of governors unanimously approved the sale Thursday of the Milwaukee Bucks to New York investment firm executives Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry, bringing the forlorn franchise one step closer to starting a new era. Dalton Prout Jersey . Former U.S. senator Herb Kohl reached agreement with them last month for a price tag of about $550 million after they pledged to keep the team in Milwaukee. The NBA said Thursday in a statement that the transaction is expected to close shortly. The leagues expected approval comes days before the NBA holds its draft lottery. The Bucks, who had a league-worst 15 wins, have the best odds to get the No. 1 pick next week for Junes talent-rich draft. "The Bucks and their fans will benefit greatly from their vast business experience, energy and strong commitment to Milwaukee," commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. Lasry and Edens committed to providing $100 million to help build a new arena. Kohl also announced he would donate $100 million for a new facility to replace the BMO Harris Bradley Center, the teams downtown home, which opened in 1988. Edens had said he hoped to get a plan completed for a new arena in a year, and have it built in a couple of years. He thought it might take about $400 million to build a new facility, though the new owners might face a tricky task in seeking public funding if they dont get more private help. Kohl bought the Bucks for $18 million in 1985. The Milwaukee native, whose family owned a chain of department stores, was hailed as a hometown hero. Silver praised Kohl for his "unprecedented and historic financial gift toward the construction of a new Milwaukee arena and for his outstanding service to the league and his community over his nearly 30-year tenure." An injury-plagued season left the Bucks a franchise-worst 15-67. They have finished above .500 only three times since 2000, though Milwaukee did make the playoffs in 2012-13. The Bucks were swept in four games by Miami in the first round. With new owners and a 25 per cent chance to pick up the No. 1 pick in the draft, the Bucks face a defining off-season. Even if it doesnt win the lottery, Milwaukee cannot fall below the fourth pick in a draft stocked with top prospects, including Dukes Jabari Parker and Kansas Andrew Wiggins. New Jersey Devils Jerseys . Lowry and the Raptors officially announced a four-year US$48 million dollar deal Thursday. The deal was reported last week but couldnt be made official until Thursday, when the moratorium on signings was lifted. "They were real factors. I did my homework. Will Butcher Jersey . JOHNS, N. http://www.authentichockeyshopdevils.com/adidas+ben+lovejoy+devils+jersey . Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist stood tall with 41 saves between the pipes, but it was defenceman Ryan McDonagh who got the first star of the game as he had a goal and an assist and now has two goals and four assists for six points in two games.TORONTO -- Nazem Kadri was relieved to have a new deal, and that emotion extended to his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates who wont have to answer questions about his status. "They are glad its over," Kadri said. "Im sure theyll take me out for a nice dinner on me." Fresh off signing a US$5.8-million, two-year contract, the restricted free-agent centre was all smiles and ready to move past the summer squabbling as he reported to training camp. But with defenceman Cody Franson unsigned and no extensions yet for captain Dion Phaneuf and star Phil Kessel, the Maple Leafs still face plenty of contract questions. The most pressing situation is that of Franson, the only one of the 59 players invited to camp who did not report. "My deals out of the way now, and hopefully Franny and his agent could come together and come to terms because hes a big piece of our team," Kadri said. "I know everyone wants him back and I know he wants to be back. Its just a matter of when." Judging by what general manager Dave Nonis had to say Wednesday, it could be a while unless the 26-year-old blue-liner moves closer to the Maple Leafs negotiating position like Kadri did. Nonis said the team wasnt prepared to change its stance on Kadri, crediting him for wanting to be there for the first day of camp. Now the pressure is on Franson. "Weve made him an offer that we want him to take," Nonis said. "Hes declined to take it. At this point, were going to move ahead with the players we have here in camp." Nonis wasnt afraid to boast about Torontos depth on defence. Beyond Phaneuf, Carl Gunnarsson, Jake Gardiner, John-Michael Liles and Mark Fraser, the Maple Leafs will also give prospect Morgan Rielly and free-agent signee Paul Ranger hard looks in training camp. Its not personal, but the Maple Leafs only have between $2 million and $3 million of salary-cap space to work with, and that could put a squeeze on Franson. "Theres realities about where you are," Nonis said. "We have X amount of cap space. We have players who are going to try to make this team that may eat up some of that. Theres only so much we have to get a deal done. I understand his position, he doesnt think this is fair. We want him signed. We want to have Cody at camp. But hes not here." Kadri is in camp on a deal that will make him prove 44 points in a lockout-shortened 48-game season wasnt a fluke. He called it "fair for both sides," as his coach emphasized the importance of every player being in camp. "The 48 games he played with us last year was a start, but you wouldnt consider him a veteran guy when his next NHL game is his 100th game," Randy Carlyle said. "Hes a talented young player, and we feel fortunate to have him." The Maple Leafs are fortunate to have Kessel and Phaneuf, too, though each players future is uncertain as he goes into the final year of his contract. Marcus Johansson Jersey. Kessel doesnt want to negotiate during the season, so management and agent Wade Arnott have a limited amount of time to negotiate an extension as training camp progresses. Kessel would prefer a "longer-term extension" because hed like to be somewhere for a long period of time. Other than that, he wasnt expansive about contract talks other than to say the Maple Leafs hadnt approached him in the off-season. "Im not too worried about it," Kessel said. "I got one year left here, and well see what happens." The same goes for Phaneuf, the Maple Leafs No. 1 defenceman and captain who has expressed a desire to stick around. "I know it will be an important topic, but were going to keep all that in house," Nonis said. "If and when we start negotiations with those players, it will be behind closed doors." Yet it will be an ongoing topic of conversation in this hockey-mad city until something gets done, just like with Kadri. The difference is, if Kessel isnt signed by the start of the regular season, the Maple Leafs will be playing meaningful games as he tries to put up the first 40-goal season of his NHL career. Centre Tyler Bozak had 12 goals and 16 assists last season before going to unrestricted free agency and ultimately re-signing with the Maple Leafs for five years and $21 million. He insisted he never considered leaving. "My No. 1 plan was to stay here, and throughout the whole process we were trying to figure out a contract that worked and find the right amount," Bozak said. "Luckily enough we were able to agree on something." It might not be so easy for the Maple Leafs with Kessel if the situation gets to June or July. But Nonis brushed off concern about that scenario. "I dont think its a circus either way," Nonis said. "Whether we start negotiations now or wait until the end of the year, there are two things that have to happen for a player to sign: He has to want to play here. It doesnt matter how much money we throw at him, he has to want to play here. "If he wants to play here, and if we want to have him, I believe we end up finding a way to make a deal." Thats what happened with Kadri, even though it took until 12 hours before players were set to show up at camp. Perhaps a deal could have been worked out sooner, but he and the Maple Leafs have bigger things to concern themselves with. "You can feel like its dragging on a little bit, but theres a purpose for everything and its not like we did this for no particular reason," Kadri said. "Im very relieved that I have a contract and that Im employed now, so we can just start worrying about the more important things and get this season going." Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '