Michael Jordan is enjoying challenges to improve Bobcats
Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—Michael Jordan has had little time to consider the significance of being the first ex-player to buy an NBA team and just the second black majority owner.
The realities of what he’s taken on with the Charlotte Bobcats, on and off the court, have given him little time to reflect in what he calls his “shot of a lifetime.â€
“Once we’ve gotten to the point where we’ve turned this around and it’s proved to be successful, then it’ll be far more gratifying than just being a stat,†Jordan told The Associated Press on Friday. “Someone who is the first to do it and doesn’t succeed, that to me is not intriguing.â€
The Hall of Famer has experienced many of the unpleasant responsibilities of NBA ownership in the past seven months. He took on $150 million in debt with more on the way, lost starting point guard Raymond Felton(notes) in free agency, traded center Tyson Chandler(notes) essentially so Jordan wouldn’t pay a dollar-for-dollar luxury tax on payroll and had a couple months of uncertainty while coach Larry Brown wavered on if he’d return.
Yet the six-time NBA champion is happy he pulled the trigger just minutes before his exclusive window to buy the team from Bob Johnson expired at midnight on Feb. 26. Johnson was set to tell the team to a group headed by former Houston Rockets executive George Postolos.
“It almost didn’t happen. He actually gave me one last shot,†Jordan said of Johnson, the first black majority owner in the NBA. “He gave me one last opportunity and we jumped on it as fast as we could.â€
While the purchase price was listed as $275 million—less than the $300 million Johnson paid for the expansion franchise—much of the deal included the assumption of debt and the promise to make capital improvements. Jordan owns 80 percent of the team and said he’s “comfortable†with that scenario.
But Jordan, who had been a part-owner with the final say on basketball decision since 2006, hasn’t wavered on refusing to pay the luxury tax, which kicks in after payroll reaches $70.3 million.
Jordan doesn’t think the tax should be paid unless a team is a championship contender. While the Bobcats made the playoffs for the first time in their six seasons last spring, they’re not close to winning a title.
So the Bobcats didn’t re-sign Felton and traded Chandler to Dallas for Erick Dampier(notes), who was waived to clear $13 million of the cap.
And while the Bobcats’ cap issues gave them no chance at the LeBron James(notes)-led free-agent class this summer, he insists the Bobcats, led by Gerald Wallace(notes) and Stephen Jackson(notes), are better than last season’s 44-38 team that was swept by Orlando in the first round.
“I think we’re going to be a better off team than we were last year,†Jordan said. “We’re together, we’re coming off some success from last year. Granted, Raymond’s not here. But when you think about, Tyson came off the bench.
“At the minimum, we should make the playoffs.â€
The 70-year-old Brown will be charged with getting that done. The Hall of Famer, in his 13th head coaching job in the pros and college, nearly walked away in the offseason. He’s under contract through the 2011-12 season, and Jordan doesn’t think this will be his final season in Charlotte.
“I think he’s got way too much coaching in him,†Jordan said. “He’s still got one more year on his contract. And although we haven’t talked about any extension or anything of that nature, but you just see he has too much passion for coaching.â€
Jordan insists he has a passion to own a team despite being out of the spotlight in his previous role as part-owner. Jordan acknowledges it’s been hard work, as he tries to make the team profitable amid continued backlash from fans upset over the Hornets’ departure for New Orleans in 2002 and with Johnson’s management style.
But Jordan, who has helped sell 2,000 new season ticket packages this year and gain 45 new sponsors in the past year, is discussing all subjects—even the team name.
Although Johnson has denied it, a popular opinion is that Johnson named the team after himself. So Jordan is conducting study to see if it’s feasible to change the Bobcats name.
“It’s not a financial thing. It’s a matter of, is it worth it? Is it in our best interest?†Jordan said. “Do we gain or lose from what we’ve done so far?â€
Sitting at his desk with a Bobcats orange vest and with a smoldering cigar nearby, Jordan appeared at ease, but also determined to make the Bobcats successful.
“I’ve always wanted to own a team,†Jordan said. “The bonus is it’s in Charlotte, N.C. It’s where I grew up, North Carolina. It seemed like everything lined up, all the stars lined up, and it was just a matter of diving in and making it work.â€
THE BLOG
HOT 97
LINKS
MUSIC
Bobby Konders Presents: Massive B Legacy, Vol. 1
Release Date: November 19th, 2018 Bobby Konders Presents: Massive B Legacy – Volume 1 is now available and includes ten features on ten tracks. Burro Banton, Vybez Kartel, Bounty Killa, Sizzla, T.O.K., Elephantman, Richie Spice, Chezidek, Chronicle, and King Kong. You can listen on Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.
#MusicStillMatters New Music: A Boogie – Nice For What
A boogie gave fans a snippet of this one via his instagram. Finally after all the request to drop the full version from fans – here it is. Check A Boogie’s version of “Nice For What.” Listen below.
#MusicStillMatters New Music: Dave East – Imagine
Dave East is set to release the 2nd installment of his “Karma” series, next week on July 27. Check out this new one off the tape called “Imagine.” Listen below.
#MusicStillMatters New Music: 070 Shake – Accusations
The G.O.O.D. Music rookie 070 Shake releases a new one called “Accusations.” Listen below.
(Video) Tony James – Sweat Slow
Toronto’s very own Tony James has released his major label debut single and visual for “Sweat Slow.” Tony says this one “Is about the one that got away, so we wanted to show the beautiful, happy women representing the ex-girlfriends of the men who took them for granted.” Look out for more from Tony this…
#MusicStillMatters New Music: Childish Gambino – Summertime Magic / Feels Like Summer
Childish Gambino aka Donald Glover follows up his video/song “This Is America” with not only one, but two records for the summer. The “Atlanta” creator tweeted “summer pack,” with a link to his songs, “Summertime Magic” and “Feels Like Summer.”
#MusicStillMatters Stream: Meek Mill – Legends Of The Summer
Meek Mill decided to treat his fans to new music when he dropped a new EP called “Legends of the Summer.” the 4-track tape features Swizz Beatz, Jeremih and PNB Rock. Stream below.
#MusicStillMatters Stream: Future – Beast Mode 2
Future links up with Zaytoven for the follow up to 2015’s “Beast Mode” titled “Beast Mode 2” which includes 9 tracks with a feature from Young Scooter. Listen below.
#MusicStillMatters New Music: T-Pain – Boo’d Up (Remix)
First it was Nicki Minaj and Quavo who put their touch on the track to mixed reviews. Then Fabolous laid his verse on the hit single. Now, T-Pain decided to give his take on the track. Listen below.
TECH TALK
We Know What YG’s Next Purchase Will Be: This ALL RED Special Edition iPhone!
An all red iPhone is on the way – I’m sure much to the delight of the Bloods. LOL! A special edition red version of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have been introduced, in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Apple’s partnership with HIV/AIDS organization, (Red).
(Video) Apple Unveils New Spaceship Campus Called “Apple Park”
One of Steve Jobs projects he left behind before his untimely death from pancreatic cancer, was the Apple spaceship campus. Take a look.
(Video) Lil Wayne Featured In EA’s ‘Need For Speed: No Limits’ Game
While we still have no Carter 5 in sight, we can at least get SOMETHING from Lil Wayne in the form of EA’s new mobile game, Need For Speed: No Limits. Players can drive as Weezy in the game, and both his voice and likeness are there for fans to enjoy. Tune is also working…
Sprint Purchases 33% Stake In Jay-Z’s Tidal
Power moves on power moves on top of power moves. Hov just struck a big deal for Tidal and the artists who have stake in the company as well, through Sprint.
(Video) Travis Scott Previews New Heat On Snapchat
Looks like Travis Scott is cooking something up…Astroworld this year?
Azealia Banks Has Been Banned From Facebook
AzealiaBanksVEVO Well, that took longer than expected.
(Video + Photo) Ariana Grande Got Her Own Character In “Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius” Game
Soon you’ll be able to play as Ariana in Final Fantasy and she broke the news to her fans yesterday.
SoundCloud Makes A Major Update That MANY People Will Be Happy About!
When SoundCloud first came out, it quickly became a hub for DJs, uploading their mixes and gaining a decent following because of it. However, as labels became more hip to the new site, they began issuing copyright infringements left to right, and DJs began leaving the streaming website in droves – especially because their accounts…
MARISA EXPLAINS IT ALL
Marisa Mendez x Jamal x Tunisia – Marisa Explains It All [Episode 16: “Holiday Hangover”]
We’ve made it to episode 16 of my podcast, Marisa Explains It All, and I finally decided to share it with you guys here. LOL! On this episode, we pre-gamed before the Ebro In The Morning holiday party…and uh, yeah. Drunk talk and feelings were at an all time high. Our music picks are as…
Behind The Lyrics: Lil Wayne Admits To Botched Suicide Attempt As A Child On “London Roads”
Lil Wayne has long recounted a story of “accidentally” shooting himself when he was 12, playing with a 9 mm handgun. Thankfully, an off-duty cop was around to help young Tune, and he survived to become the rap star he is today. Apparently, that wasn’t the whole story, though! On “London Roads”, a song from…
(Video) Machine Gun Kelly Finally Opens Up About Amber Rose
Machine Gun Kelly is one of my favorite artists and has been a good friend of mine for years now, so it was double the blessing to make my Hot 97 interview debut with him on Ebro In The Morning today! The Bad Boy rapper stopped by to discuss his new single and its powerful…
Behind The Lyrics: Wiz Khalifa Comes For Amber’s Neck On “For Everybody”
Last night, Juicy J dropped his Wiz Khalifa-assisted single “For Everybody,” and boy did Wiz have some choice words for his ex Amber Rose on the track! And to drive the point home, they included a photo of themselves at his wedding to Amber as the song’s artwork.
(Video) Honey Cocaine Plays A Hilarious Game Of Taboo
Toronto-bred raptress Honey Cocaine made her rounds at Hot 97 a few weeks back, promoting her latest mixtape Like A Drug, and its 2 singles, “Gwola” featuring Kid Ink and Maino, and “None Of My Business” with Kirko Bangz and Constantine. Following her dope interview with Jen From BK for Jen’s “Ladies First” segment, I…
Interview: Machine Gun Kelly On Debut Film: “I hope that it kind of strikes a social issue…” [PLUS Details On Sophomore Album!]
This Friday, Colson ‘MGK‘ Baker will make his big-screen debut, starring as Kid Culprit in the romantic drama, Beyond The Lights. Since his 2012 Bad Boy/Interscope debut Lace Up and his breakout single “Wild Boy,” Kells has toured the world and shot not only Beyond The Lights, but two more as-of-yet unreleased films as well.…
Elijah Blake Gives 7 Tips How NOT To Act Around A Celeb, Plus Talks New EP, His First Big Check & More!
Singer/songwriter Elijah Blake has worked with a majority of the biggest names in the music business from Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Usher, Mary J and more, either having written for them or being featured on their songs. Now with his recently released Drift EP (available on iTunes here,) the talented Def Jam signee sat down to…
IFWT Exclusive: Maino Gives Us The REAL Story Of What Happened With The Porn Star!
Maino is currently being sought out by the NYPD for questioning, after an adult film star accused him of assaulting her inside of his truck after they partied at Griffin on Monday night with Drake, Ashanti, JR Smith and more. According to the police report filed by the porn star, Mellanie Monroe, “he started punching…
Mila J Reveals The Real Deal Between Her & A Rumored Beau, Plus Talks New EP, Diet/Workout, Her Mains & More!
Gorgeous singer/songwriter/dancer Mila J finally released her debut EP M.I.L.A. (Made In L.A.) yesterday, after years of trying out girl groups, various solo ventures, random day jobs and the like. She’s finally found her niche now though, and has seen success with her latest singles, “Smoke, Drink, Break-Up” and the Ty Dolla $ign-assisted, “My Main.”…