Former Charlotte Hornets proprietor regrets promoting group to Michael Jordan

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Michael Jordan turned the bulk proprietor of the then-Charlotte Bobcats when Robert L. Johnson offered the group to him in 2010. Greater than a decade later, Johnson revealed that he now regrets promoting the group due to how a lot NBA groups are valued right now.

In an interview on “The David Rubenstein Present: Peer-to-Peer Conversations,” the BET founder and RLJ Corporations chairman was sincere 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 buddy.

“Positively, the regrets,” Johnson mentioned. “I might inform Michael about that on a regular basis. … Michael was at all times my first option to promote the group. He and I’ve been pals, you understand, 10-15 years earlier than I even owned the group. If I needed to promote the group 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 so far.

“No person might have predicted that Don Sterling would say what he mentioned about black folks and that led to the NBA commissioner to say, ‘We have bought an enormous racial drawback if we’re gonna preserve Don Sterling as an proprietor.’

“(NBA commissioner) principally compelled Donald Sterling out. However being compelled out and strolling away with $2 billion. Lots of people want to be compelled out of a group for that value.”

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 group, he’ll doubtless get at the least $ 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.

Additionally Learn: Shaquille O’Neal disenchanted with LA Lakers following their tenth straight loss to the LA Clippers

Is Michael Jordan the worst NBA proprietor proper now?

Michael Jordan may 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. 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 choices over the previous decade from coaches to the entrance workplace. They at the moment have a document of 13-26, which is the third-worst within the NBA.

However, the Hornets have an opportunity to nab the first-overall decide on this yr’s draft. If Charlotte will get the primary decide, they have no different selection however to pick Victor Wembanyama. A partnership between Wembanyama and Ball might take the group to the following stage.