Michael Jordan says he would not mind becoming majority owner 10/11/2008 |
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Michael Jordan said Friday night that he would like to become majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats when and if current owner Bob Johnson decides to sell the team.
In an exclusive interview with the Observer, Jordan said “sure, sure” when asked if he would one day want to increase his minority stake in the Bobcats to a majority share.
Said Jordan: “When Bob wants to step aside, I have no problem stepping in and saying, ‘Hey, look, I’d love to take control of this franchise.’ But Bob, he’s not at that point now. He still enjoys owning the basketball team.”
Jordan bought an undisclosed stake in the Bobcats in June 2006. He has controlled the basketball operations for the Bobcats for the past 2 ½ seasons.
Johnson has owned the team since he was granted an expansion NBA franchise in January 2003. The Bobcats have struggled with generating business support and attendance since they opened play in November 2004.
Now in their fifth season, the Bobcats have yet to make the playoffs. Johnson has reportedly lost millions and has publicly expressed frustration with the level of financial support from Charlotte’s business community. The team laid off approximately 35 employees on the business side shortly before training camp.
Jordan described his relationship with Johnson like this to the Observer Friday night: “I’ve known Bob for a long time. We’re friends. We’re business associates. I have no problems telling him ‘No.’ I have no problems telling him ‘Shut up.’ I have no problems telling him ‘You’re wrong.’ That’s what friends do. He’s opinionated. I am too. He owns the team - I totally understand that - but that doesn’t mean I can’t speak my mind. We have a good relationship.”
Jordan said that for now he believes the current Bobcat team could make the playoffs and that he remains committed to improving the team from his position in the front office.
“I enjoy being a part of it,” Jordan said. “I’m trying to do what I can to make his (Johnson’s) money prosper.”
(Source: Charlotte Observer)
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