The Hornets have continued negotiations on a sale amid the NBA's continuing lockout.

Jac Sperling, chairman and governor of the Hornets, spoke with the Times-Picayune about the situation.

"Actually, we’ve started having conversations with potential owners already," said Sperling. "The number of potential owners has grown. I think the commissioner mentioned there were four or five, and I think the number has increased a little bit. There are some potential owners who live in New Orleans and some who live outside of New Orleans. But all of them understand that they would be buying a team that would have a long-term lease here. And that’s the goal — to extend the lease to a long-term arrangement with the state as part of finding a new owner."

When a new owner takes possession of the Hornets, Sperling says there won't be out clauses that would allow him to relocate the team.

"The lease will have a term and the team will be required to stay here through that term. Our goal is to get to that point quickly."