Michael Jordan Wants to Be Like No Other N.B.A. Owner
/Originally published in the NY Times on February 10, 2005 [here]
By CLIFTON BROWN
Michael Jordan wants to own an N.B.A. team, but until that happens, he is finding other ways to remain close to basketball.
Jordan was in Manhattan yesterday to talk about the Jordan Classic, a high school basketball game that will be played at Madison Square Garden on April 16 and will feature many of the country's top seniors. Although Jordan looked forward to the event, he said, he also looked forward to the day when he would run an N.B.A. franchise.
"I'm being patient, waiting for the right situation," said Jordan, who had a disappointing departure from the league in 2003, when he was fired from the front office of the Washington Wizards by the team's owner, Abe Pollin. "Basketball is still my passion. If the right situation comes up, it will happen."
Robert Johnson, the league's only African-American owner, talked with Jordan last year about a front-office position with his expansion team, the Charlotte Bobcats. But Jordan decided against that because he wanted to be a majority owner of a team, he said, so he could have the final say on all decisions.
Jordan is believed to have pursued several ownership opportunities, and Commissioner David Stern has said he will welcome Jordan as an owner. The league would obviously benefit from having Jordan back. When he was winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan became the world's biggest sports star and helped elevate the league's popularity to levels it has not enjoyed since.
"I'm not afraid of an existing situation," Jordan said. "I'm not afraid of an expansion situation. Financially it has to fit, and economically it has to be worthwhile. You have to look at how it benefits you, as well as what you can provide for that team."
Watching how the league has changed since he last played, Jordan said he was against the trend of players' skipping college to turn pro right after high school.
"That's not what I would do, but they have their own minds to make up," said Jordan, who played three seasons at North Carolina before turning professional. "It's a tough road. Some guys are mentally ready for it, some guys are not."
When asked about speculation that Phil Jackson, his former coach with the Bulls, would be the Knicks' next coach, Jordan smiled. "Whatever Phil does, I support Phil," he said.
Jordan also said he had no idea whether Jackson would return to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. An acrimonious relationship with the Lakers star Kobe Bryant was a factor in Jackson's decision to resign as Lakers coach after last season. Many people doubt that Jackson and Bryant could work together again, but Jordan preferred not to speculate.
"I had a great relationship with Phil," Jordan said. "I really don't know what went on between them."
Jordan said he hoped that the Jordan Classic would be a showcase for future talent and that the experience of playing in New York would help the high school players develop. The event will be a doubleheader, with a regional game followed by a national game. Among the players who have previously participated in the Jordan Classic are LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. Jordan had held the game in Washington for three years, but he decided that the Garden would be a fitting location; it is an arena where he enjoyed some of his most memorable games.
"I've always enjoyed coming to New York, and the people have treated me well," said Jordan, who grew up in North Carolina but was born in Brooklyn. "It will be a great experience for these kids."
By CLIFTON BROWN
Michael Jordan wants to own an N.B.A. team, but until that happens, he is finding other ways to remain close to basketball.
Jordan was in Manhattan yesterday to talk about the Jordan Classic, a high school basketball game that will be played at Madison Square Garden on April 16 and will feature many of the country's top seniors. Although Jordan looked forward to the event, he said, he also looked forward to the day when he would run an N.B.A. franchise.
"I'm being patient, waiting for the right situation," said Jordan, who had a disappointing departure from the league in 2003, when he was fired from the front office of the Washington Wizards by the team's owner, Abe Pollin. "Basketball is still my passion. If the right situation comes up, it will happen."
Robert Johnson, the league's only African-American owner, talked with Jordan last year about a front-office position with his expansion team, the Charlotte Bobcats. But Jordan decided against that because he wanted to be a majority owner of a team, he said, so he could have the final say on all decisions.
Jordan is believed to have pursued several ownership opportunities, and Commissioner David Stern has said he will welcome Jordan as an owner. The league would obviously benefit from having Jordan back. When he was winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan became the world's biggest sports star and helped elevate the league's popularity to levels it has not enjoyed since.
"I'm not afraid of an existing situation," Jordan said. "I'm not afraid of an expansion situation. Financially it has to fit, and economically it has to be worthwhile. You have to look at how it benefits you, as well as what you can provide for that team."
Watching how the league has changed since he last played, Jordan said he was against the trend of players' skipping college to turn pro right after high school.
"That's not what I would do, but they have their own minds to make up," said Jordan, who played three seasons at North Carolina before turning professional. "It's a tough road. Some guys are mentally ready for it, some guys are not."
When asked about speculation that Phil Jackson, his former coach with the Bulls, would be the Knicks' next coach, Jordan smiled. "Whatever Phil does, I support Phil," he said.
Jordan also said he had no idea whether Jackson would return to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. An acrimonious relationship with the Lakers star Kobe Bryant was a factor in Jackson's decision to resign as Lakers coach after last season. Many people doubt that Jackson and Bryant could work together again, but Jordan preferred not to speculate.
"I had a great relationship with Phil," Jordan said. "I really don't know what went on between them."
Jordan said he hoped that the Jordan Classic would be a showcase for future talent and that the experience of playing in New York would help the high school players develop. The event will be a doubleheader, with a regional game followed by a national game. Among the players who have previously participated in the Jordan Classic are LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. Jordan had held the game in Washington for three years, but he decided that the Garden would be a fitting location; it is an arena where he enjoyed some of his most memorable games.
"I've always enjoyed coming to New York, and the people have treated me well," said Jordan, who grew up in North Carolina but was born in Brooklyn. "It will be a great experience for these kids."
