Michael Jordan has reached an agreement to purchase controlling interest in the Charlotte Bobcats from BET founder Robert Johnson. MJ has been a part-owner of the team since 2006. He has had nominal control over the team’s basketball operations since then, but has been something of an absentee landlord for the team, rarely attending practices or games or getting involved in the team’s marketing efforts.
Of course, a “hands off” approach from MJ might not be the worst thing for the team. Jordan’s unparalleled talent on the basketball court hasn’t translated to off-court success just yet; two of his most notable moves as an executive — drafting Kwame Brown first overall in 2001 (when he was running the Wizards) and Adam Morrison with the third overall pick in 2006 — haven’t exactly panned out.
That said, as of this morning the Bobcats are just .5 games behind Miami for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and well-positioned to reach the postseason for the first time in franchise history.
Image: Michael Jordan’s grand entrance at the 2009 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame banquet. Courtesy Mohegan Sun.
Jordan Buys Bobcats originally appeared on About.com Basketball on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 11:21:51.
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