Michael Jordan’s last major move as an NBA executive ended in a humiliating implosion.
When Jordan was fired as the director of Basketball Operations for the Washington Wizards back in 2003 — one that saw MJ make a colossal blunder by wasting a No. 1 draft pick on a worthless Kwame Brown out of high school, ranking as one of the greatest top pick errors of all time — Jordan felt betrayed and exploited by the owner, Abe Pollin. An arrogant Jordan greatly increased season attendance as a player and front office exec, but his magic on the court did not translate to the boardroom. Plus, Jordan frequently bucked heads with Pollin and the owner unceremoniously tossed Jordan out on his shaved dome.
Jordan’s ego was shredded in front of a national TV audience.
Jordan’s been known as a waffler ever since, talking a good game of becoming an owner but never following through.
Fast-forward to February 2010. The consensus greatest basketball player to ever play the game is still searching for any semblence of post-NBA success. He knows that he stacks up very unfavorably when compared to the likes of Magic Johnson or Larry Bird, two men who’ve experienced success after retiring — especially Magic. Now Jordan will certainly get his opportunity as the new majority owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats
Billionaire Bob Johnson, who founded BET, is selling his stake in the Bobcats team he founded back in 2003 that’s been a bust almost from the beginning. The team has been hemorrhaging financially due to fickle fans, low attendance, questionable trades and bad draft picks and Johnson wants to cut his losses so he can flee back to the familiar confines of real estate holdings and hotels.
But there is hope that Jordan can rehabilitate this dilapidated and unloved franchise. Most importantly, the team hired legend and fellow North Carolina Tar Heels alum Larry Brown as the team’s head coach. For the first time, the Bobcats are legitimate playoff contenders and are the only team to sweep the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team with the NBA’s best record. Additionally, the North Carolina-bred Jordan remains a great gate attraction. Fans come out in droves just to get a glimpse of the man who elevated the NBA to unprecedented heights and popularity in the ’80s and ’90s.
It remains to be seen if Jordan’s stature — along with increased front office IQ — will translate into a profitable enterprise.
–terry shropshire
