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Jordan an NBA owner - again
Accepts offer to join Bobcats, run team
By Sam Smith
Tribune pro basletball reporter
June 16, 2006
MIAMI -- No, Michael Jordan is not going to play for the Charlotte Bobcats,
who announced Thursday he has become a part-owner and, effectively, team
president.
"There is no chance of Michael playing for the Bobcats," majority owner Bob
Johnson said.
Of course that's what the Washington Wizards said last time.
Hey, Jordan's just 43 and isn't Roger Clemens still pitching? Why not just a
few minutes as a backup shooting guard?
Yes, he's back. Again.
His presence raises the stakes for the Bobcats, and in some ways the Bulls
because Charlotte holds the No. 3 pick in this month's NBA draft.
Now the Bobcats, previously a reluctant spender, could become the Bulls'
biggest rival in the free-agent market because they have more than $20
million available in salary-cap room.
"I am excited to join Bob and invest alongside one of the most astute
businessmen I know," Jordan said in a statement released by the Bobcats. "I
am also looking forward to providing my advice, where needed, to Bobcats'
management in order to put the best possible team on the court."
Jordan has been anxious to return to the NBA in an ownership position since
Washington let him go in 2003 as a player and team president, even though
Jordan had expected to return to his role of running the team.
Commissioner David Stern had said it has been a priority to get Jordan
involved with the NBA again and Jordan attempted to purchase the Milwaukee
Bucks the following year.
Jordan has said he wouldn't put himself in position to be dismissed again
like he was in Washington and was said to be seeking a primary ownership
role. Johnson said he will remain majority owner but emphasized he and Jordan
are longtime friends.
Jordan also will be an investment partner in Johnson's other interests, such
as his Black Entertainment Television.
"It's great for the league," said Heat coach Pat Riley, who retired Jordan's
Bulls' jersey in Miami, where it hangs at the top of the AmericanAirlines
Arena. "It's great for Charlotte."
The Bobcats, hemorrhaging money in a losing operation in two years in
Charlotte, have been in the midst of a management shakeup with three of their
top executives, team President Ed Tapscott, chief operating officer Peter
Smul and chief marketing officer Chris Weiller all resigning in the last
month.
The resignations clearly open the way for Jordan to take a major role in
running the organization, and Johnson said general manager/coach Bernie
Bickerstaff will answer to Jordan.
"Michael is an owner, Bernie is general manager and coach," said Johnson, who
tried unsuccessfully to bring Jordan in as a manager or investor when he was
awarded the franchise. "Coaches report to owners. Michael has the
decision-making authority [for the ownership group]."
The Bobcats were 22nd in league attendance last season despite a new arena.
Included in their mountain of losses is a failed TV network.
On the court they have said they were building slowly and mostly have been
stockpiling young players such as high-draft picks Emeka Okafor, Ray Felton
and Sean May. On a thin roster their other regulars are Gerald Wallace and
Primoz Brezec.
Can Jordan, now the second-largest individual stockholder in the franchise,
according to Johnson, push the spending of the conservative Johnson to try to
make a splash in the draft and in free agency?
If he can, is there another big player in the trade market? At one time the
theory around Jordan backers was that players would push to play for a Jordan
organization. It didn't occur with the Wizards, with whom Jordan apparently
is still so bitter that Johnson referred to Washington in comments as the
"other" organization
Johnson said, in contrast to reports from Washington at the time, Jordan
invested "cold, hard cash" in the Bobcats and would decide how much he wants
to be around.
He is "not a day-to-day employee but an owner," Johnson said.
So, would Kevin Garnett want to play for Jordan?
How about Jermaine O'Neal?
Jordan's close friend Rod Higgins is now a top executive with Golden State,
which is said to be anxious to make deals.
Are there any North Carolina players available?
Hey, Larry Brown may need a job soon.
Oh, sorry, Bernie, but you did say you wanted to get out of coaching and move
upstairs soon.
It's unclear whether Jordan's influence will put people in the seats in
Charlotte, but it will direct media attention to the Bobcats.
"One of the things Michael wanted to do was own his own team," Johnson said.
"He made several attempts. The NBA was active in trying to help Michael. It
didn't happen. Michael said this is a way for him to connect basketball and
other business interests with friends of mine.
"[This is the state] where he played [college] basketball and where he [was
raised, it's] a fresh start with team and organization. I've been anxious to
have Michael come aboard. All the stars were aligned at the right time."
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