Hank Aaron joins group interested in buying Atlanta Hawks

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports that Atlanta Braves legend Hank Aaron has joined a group that is interested in purchasing the Atlanta Hawks.

Sources told ESPN.com that the group is spearheaded by Memphis Grizzlies minority owner and vice chairman Steve Kaplan, Indonesian billionaire sports and media magnates Erick Thohir and Handy Poernomo Soetedjo and former Grizzlies CEO Jason Levien, who is the current managing general partner of DC United in MLS. ‎

The deep-pocketed consortium, sources say, also includes a select and diverse group of prominent investors, including Aaron and other Atlantans.

Kaplan and Levien had already been reported as being interested in the club but appear to be building an impressive group. They are the second such group to emerge this week. Grant Hill and Junior Bridgeman along with Jerry and Bryan Colangelo are leading another group that is interested in the purchase.

The Hawks are expected to sell for in excess of $600 million for the franchise and the operating rights to Philips Arena. Its possible that the final price tag could approach $1 billion before its all said and done.