Nelson Goes From Coach to Owner

Don Nelson, former coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, joined the Golden State Warriors Monday as executive vice president and 10% owner of the National Basketball Assn. club.

Nelson, who will pay $1 million in cash for his share of the Warriors, said he rejected more lucrative opportunities to coach the New York Knicks or Dallas Mavericks after deciding to leave Milwaukee last month because of a feud with Buck owner Herb Kohl.

“I’ve done very well in investing,” Nelson said in explaining how he can afford to buy into the Warriors.

Warrior co-owner Jim Fitzgerald said that Nelson once owned a piece of the Bucks when Fitzgerald and Dan Finnane owned that team. “He bought the stock for $12 a share and sold it for $94,” Fitzgerald said.