Michael Jordan grew to become the bulk proprietor of the then-Charlotte Bobcats when Robert L. Johnson offered the workforce to him in 2010. Greater than a decade later, Johnson revealed that he now regrets promoting the workforce due to how a lot NBA groups are valued immediately.
In an interview on “The David Rubenstein Present: Peer-to-Peer Conversations,” the BET founder and RLJ Corporations chairman was trustworthy about his regrets on promoting his NBA franchise. He even famous that he at all times tells it to Jordan, who he considers to be a good friend.
“Undoubtedly, the regrets,” Johnson stated. “I might inform Michael about that on a regular basis. … Michael was at all times my first option to promote the workforce. He and I’ve been pals, , 10-15 years earlier than I even owned the workforce. If I needed to promote the workforce if I used to be compelled to promote, it will be to Michael.”
Robert L. Johnson additionally defined how the NBA forcing Donald Sterling out of the LA Clippers elevated the worth of groups. Steve Ballmer purchased the Clippers for a then-record $2 billion, which benefited most homeowners up up to now.
“No one may have predicted that Don Sterling would say what he stated about black individuals and that led to the NBA commissioner to say, ‘We have acquired an enormous racial drawback if we’re gonna hold Don Sterling as an proprietor.’
“(NBA commissioner) mainly compelled Donald Sterling out. However being compelled out and strolling away with $2 billion. Lots of people wish to be compelled out of a workforce for that worth.”
Michael Jordan purchased the Charlotte Hornets for $275 million again in 2010. Now, the Hornets are valued at $1.7 billion. If Jordan decides to promote the workforce, he’ll doubtless get at the very least $ 3 billion based mostly on the newest NBA franchise sale. Robert Sarver offered the Phoenix Suns, valued at $2.7 billion, to Mat and Justin Ishbia for $4 billion.
Additionally Learn: Shaquille O’Neal upset with LA Lakers following their tenth straight loss to the LA Clippers
Is Michael Jordan the worst NBA proprietor proper now?
Michael Jordan is perhaps the best participant of all time, however his success on the courtroom and on sneakers has not translated to his possession of the Charlotte Hornets. Throughout Jordan’s tenure as proprietor, the Hornets have solely made the playoffs 3 times and haven’t made it previous the primary spherical.
The Hornets have additionally handed on so many NBA abilities within the draft, with their solely nice picks being Kemba Walker in 2011 and LaMelo Ball in 2020. They’ve additionally made some very questionable selections over the previous decade from coaches to the entrance workplace. They at the moment have a file of 13-26, which is the third-worst within the NBA.
However, the Hornets have an opportunity to nab the first-overall choose on this 12 months’s draft. If Charlotte will get the primary choose, they haven’t any different selection however to pick Victor Wembanyama. A partnership between Wembanyama and Ball may take the workforce to the following stage.
Additionally Learn: Younger fan flies 4,000 miles to see Jimmy Butler, however Miami Warmth star dominated out with damage
