
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 20, 1990                   TAG: 9006200141
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

THOMPSON 'EXCITED' ABOUT NBA OFFER

John Thompson acknowledged Tuesday that he is "very excited" about an offer to become general manager and part owner of the NBA's Denver Nuggets, but said he has yet to decide whether to leave Georgetown after 18 years as the Hoyas' basketball coach.

Still, the former Celtics reserve sounded like a man who might relish a return to the NBA.

Denver has "offered me an opportunity which is an exciting challenge," he said at a news conference. "And all of us live for challenges."

Thompson reportedly has been offered a package worth more than $6 million over the next four or five years, including a $700,000 salary as general manager and as much as four percent ownership of the Nuggets. That share would be worth about $2.8 million.

Thompson, who has guided the Hoyas to the NCAA Tournament in 14 of his 18 seasons and won the 1984 national championship, said he would make his decision "as soon as possible," but will consult with university officials and his players. And "I have not spoken to one player" yet, he said. "If I were to leave, I would certainly sit down and talk to them first.

"Yes, I am giving consideration to an offer. . . . Yes, I do think that it is only common courtesy, if you work at a university, to sit down with those people and make sure that if you do leave, they land on their feet," he said.

Thompson denied reports that he already had recommended candidates to succeed him. "I'm still coach at Georgetown," he said. "I'd be crazy to recommend somebody for my job."

But he made it clear he would expect to play a strong role in choosing a successor if he did depart, saying, "This program will work fine if I'm not here. I think it would be a great program."

Several NBA teams have attempted to lure Thompson from Georgetown, where he is paid more than $400,000 as coach and has a shoe endorsement contract with Nike that pays him about $250,000 a year.

In December 1989, the Nuggets were purchased by businessmen Peter Bynoe and Bertram Lee, who became the first black owners of a pro sports franchise. Later, Bob Wussler invested $17 million and became a co-owner.

Thompson called Denver's offer "far more serious" than any previous NBA bid.

by CNB