Ladies and gentlemens please welcome Mr Jordan.

[gnohgnek]

http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_jordan_060615.html

Michael Jordan to Become Part Owner of the Charlotte Bobcats



Robert L. Johnson, founder of BET and majority owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats, will enter into a venture with Michael Jordan to invest in business opportunities in media, entertainment and financial services.
As part of Jordan’s investment in Johnson’s existing portfolio, Jordan will become the largest individual owner of the Bobcats after Johnson. Jordan will become the Managing Member of Basketball Operations for the Bobcats ownership group.

“I’m thrilled to have my friend, Michael Jordan, join me in my business and sports pursuits,” said Robert L. Johnson, Chairman and CEO of The RLJ Companies and the Charlotte Bobcats. “I not only respect Michael for his basketball knowledge and expertise, but also for his business skills, particularly in branding and marketing. Michael will provide invaluable management input to a Bobcats team that is poised to deliver results for the 2006-2007 season and beyond.”

“Our joint venture will allow Michael to invest in private equity, hedge funds, financial services, real estate, film production, and other business interests that my holding company, The RLJ Companies, is pursuing,” continued Johnson.

“I’m excited to join Bob, and invest alongside one of the most astute businessmen I know,” said Michael Jordan. “I am also looking forward to providing my advice, where needed, to Bobcats’ management in order to put the best possible team on the court.”

oh yea, i'll pay more attention to the bobcats next season

[Matthew]

Yep, same with me. I think I'll have to do a Bobcats dynasty as well. It's always good to have legends around the game when they're not playing.

[BIG GREEN]

You being sarcastic matthew? God i hope he doesnt decide to un-retire again..or they'll have to make wheel chairs and walking sticks part of basketball gear.

[havasufalls]

if 4 some reason he does un-retire i would have a reason to really watch the bobcats

[_marsal]

Hell, i bet he could still score ~ 15ppg But yeah, good luck to Mr. MJ

[Scorer--20]

I dont think Jordan will un-retire again , because now he is fat and older.
But i think he gonna be a great influence on the team , the management , and maybe add some fans to the bobcats

[volsey]

I dont think Matthew said he wanted him to un-retire, he just meant he liked seeing legends still being a part of the nba nowadays, and doing something.. or maybe im wrong?

[Andrew]

Looks like there were more to the rumours about becoming involved in the Bobcats' ownership after all. More rumours are bound to circulate and I guess you can never rule anything out but personally, I'm not really expecting another comeback this time.

[Matthew]

I dont think Matthew said he wanted him to un-retire, he just meant he liked seeing legends still being a part of the nba nowadays, and doing something.. or maybe im wrong?

No, you are exactly right. Its great seeing the legends around, like Pippen, Magic and now MJ. I will actually go for the bobcats this upcomming season as well.

[Its_asdf]

He played college ball in North Carolina just like Felton and May, so I guess he can attract more fans that way.

[Stevesanity]

I really doubt a comeback will happen, the situation has changed. MJ's much older now and is out of practice and the Charlotte Bobcats are still a newbie franchise and theirs no real reason for him to suit up, risk injury and embarrasment to help out what is likely to be a lottery team for another season or two.

I just hope this goes better than it did with the Wizards. I'm sure he'll feel somewhat closer to home and theirs no doubt this is going to bring in more fans from parts outside of Charlotte (excluding countries outside the US). Let's just hope the Bobcats draft pick this year doesn't end up a bust like Kwame did.

[zmac]

I would have liked to see him somewhere in the Front Office, maybe GM? That woulda been cool.

[Axel]

This is definetly good for the game, having him back. Hopefully he isn't involved in player drafting though

[Matthew]

Give me Kwame ahead of Chandler or Eddy Curry anyday. He also drafted Jeffries who hasn't been bad either.

[beau_boy04]

I dont want MJ to unretired coz then he will mess up his ratings and Wilt will have the best averages as far as scoring.

[Andrew]

Give me Kwame ahead of Chandler or Eddy Curry anyday. He also drafted Jeffries who hasn't been bad either.

He also acquired Haywood's draft rights in 2001 for Laron Profit. He's hardly a superstar but he remains their starting centre and a decent player. On top of that, he managed to get rid of Strickland, Richmond and Howard which allowed them to sign Gilbert Arenas in 2003. It's not as though his tenure in the front office was a complete success but it's not as though he took a 60 win perennial champion and drove them into the ground. Unfortunately the same scrutiny he endured as a player followed him into the front office.

[BIG GREEN]

I reckon if gilbert, haywood, kwame and hamilton played back then like they play now...along with jordan's 20ppg he averaged....a championship contender would've been birthed. Ah well...one can dream cant they?

[Laker Socks]

Gilbert did not play for washington when Jordan was there.

[Matthew]

Yohance probably means Larry Hughes