Turner Broadcasting System has dropped its appeal of a judge's order that required the company to pay a Texas businessman $281 million over the sale of the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers.

David McDavid accused TBS of cheating him out of buying the two teams in 2003.

Turner spokeswoman Misty Skedgell said "in the interest of bringing this seven-year-long matter to a conclusion, we have chosen to resolve it through a settlement."