National Basketball Association

AP: Hornets sale talks at impasse

Published Apr. 23, 2010 9:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

A person familiar with negotiations says sale talks between New Orleans Hornets owner George Shinn and minority owner Gary Chouest have reached an "impasse'' and that Shinn wants to speak with other possible buyers.

Shinn's preference is to deal only with investors who want to keep the Hornets in New Orleans, the person told The Associated Press on Friday, speaking on the condition of anonymity because Shinn and Chouest have yet to publicly discuss the sale.

Shinn, who underwent recent treatment for prostate cancer, has said he wants to focus more on his charity work and his faith and write a book. Chouest, who bought 25 percent of the club in 2007, owns a Louisiana company that builds and operates boats for the offshore energy industry.