Michael Jordan grew to become the bulk owner of the then-Charlotte Bobcats when Robert L. Johnson offered the team to him in 2010. More than a decade later, Johnson revealed that he now regrets selling the team due to how a lot NBA groups are valued right now.
In an interview on “The David Rubenstein Show: Peer-to-Peer Conversations,” the BET founder and RLJ Companies chairman was trustworthy about his regrets on selling his NBA franchise. He even famous that he at all times tells it to Jordan, who he considers to be a good friend.
“Definitely, the regrets,” Johnson stated. “I’d tell Michael about that all the time. … Michael was always my first choice to sell the team. He and I have been friends, you know, 10-15 years before I even owned the team. If I wanted to sell the team if I was forced to sell, it would 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 house owners up to this level.
“Nobody might have predicted that Don Sterling would say what he stated about black folks and that led to the NBA commissioner to say, ‘We’ve bought bought an enormous racial downside if we’re gonna maintain Don Sterling as an owner.’
“(NBA commissioner) basically forced Donald Sterling out. But being forced out and walking away with $2 billion. A lot of people would like to be forced out of a team for that price.”
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 team, he’ll probably get not less than $ 3 billion primarily based 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.
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Is Michael Jordan the worst NBA owner proper now?
Michael Jordan is likely to be the best participant of all time, however his success on the court docket and on sneakers has not translated to his possession of the Charlotte Hornets. During Jordan’s tenure as owner, 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 skills within the draft, with their solely nice picks being Kemba Walker in 2011 and LaMelo Ball in 2020. They have additionally made some very questionable selections over the previous decade from coaches to the entrance workplace. They at the moment have a report of 13-26, which is the third-worst within the NBA.
Nevertheless, the Hornets have an opportunity to nab the first-overall decide on this 12 months’s draft. If Charlotte will get the primary decide, they haven’t any different selection however to choose Victor Wembanyama. A partnership between Wembanyama and Ball might take the team to the subsequent degree.
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