Oracle CEO interested in Warriors

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Frank Hughes, SI.com

OAKLAND, Calif. -- A little more than two weeks after he attended a Golden State Warriors game, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison said he is interested in buying the team from owner Chris Cohan.

Speaking to an audience at Oracle Complex about the company's $7.4 billion takeover of Sun Microsystems, Ellison was asked about the ongoing speculation that he ultimately would purchase the Warriors.

Ellison, the fourth-wealthiest person in the world, worth an estimated $28 billion, replied: "I'm trying. I'm trying. Unfortunately you can't have a hostile takeover of a basketball team."

Warriors president Robert Rowell told SI.com that Ellison has never made an offer to buy the team.

League sources have told SI.com that Cohan is asking at least $400 million for the team, and indications are that Ellison is not willing to pay what appears to be an inflated price given the economy and an impending lockout after next season.

Still, his latest comments indicate that he may be looking to open dialogue with Cohan, who is facing legal issues with the Internal Revenue Service.

Ellison, whose company pays $30 million a year to have its name on the outside of the Warriors' arena, attended Golden State's game against LeBron James and the Cavaliers on Jan. 11.