Michael Jordan beat the clock again, nailing his shot to buy a controlling interest in the Charlotte Bobcats right before the buzzer.
He’s not really saying much about it, though, which might be the biggest problem with his ownership of an NBA team.
Jordan was arguably the greatest player of all time. Just ask him. He loves it when people gush about his exploits, and he enjoys harpooning anyone who he considers a competitive threat to his stature in the game.
But now he owns a franchise, which requires a different skill set. At the top of the list of requirements is being visible, especially when it comes to the Bobcats, a team that is losing millions of dollars and suffers from a lack of fan interest.
Jordan isn’t talking to the media, and I don’t really care. But if he wants to raise the fortunes of the team he just bought, it would help if he put aside the raging arrogance that made him a great player and replace it with some humility and gentle persuasion.
People aren’t going to buy tickets to see the Bobcats because Michael Jordan occasionally flies into town to play a game of HORSE with some of the guys on the team. He was successful selling basketball shoes and other items, but this is a different sales pitch, and remaining aloof is the kiss of death.
He needs to get out and sell. He needs to work it.
Personally, I don’t think he has it in him. Although the Bobcats are much improved and are alive for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, that has more to do with the fact that Jordan was able to convince fellow North Carolina alum Larry Brown to take over as head coach. And he probably was able to do that in part by reminding Brown that the Bobcats represented one of the few jobs he hadn’t had yet.
David Stern said he’s excited about Jordan owning the Bobcats, but when was the last time you heard a commissioner say, “This is bad news,” after the sale of a franchise?
It’s possible to be someone who enjoys mass popularity but lives out of town as a recluse. It’s just not possible for that person to be a successful NBA owner.
according to msnbc.com
