The NBA is expected to announce today that billionaire founder of Black Entertainment Television, Robert Johnson, will purchase a basketball team to play in Charlotte after that city sent its Hornets packing.
Johnson was in competition with basketball legend, Larry Bird, for ownership of the new team. It is rumored that Johnson might bring his friend, Michael Jordan either into management or into the ownership group or both.
Jordan said, “I think Bob’s going to do well. He has the first thing that you need in owning a basketball team, … which is loving the game. And he’s willing to fork over the money to make sure he builds a team solid. He has a great fan base. It’s been proven that you can survive in Charlotte when you’re winning. He’s going to do a great job.”
Johnson is not naive. He understands that it’s all about winning. He said, “What’s going to give the edge in marketing is your players and what your team does on the court, no matter who is the head of basketball operations – even if you have Michael Jordan as the head of basketball operations.”
Kudos to the NBA, and congratulations to Bob Johnson!
