It’s big news that Michael Jordan is expected to get approval to buy the Charlotte Bobcats NBA team. Big, big news. But why? Are we so accustomed to talking about the post-NBA player life of this guy that we’ve got to obsess about this, too? Or… is there more to this for us?
Face it: Michael Jordan has been going through a mid-life crisis since the FIRST time he retired from the NBA. He has tried different sports, divorced his wife, dated a bunch of women, tried his hand at management, and is already part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. So, why do we care so much if he becomes the majority owner of this team?
Maybe we just want to talk about something other than all of the crises the world is facing right now. Well, no…that wouldn’t be right. Okay, so maybe the media is looking for a less complicated story to report. No…I’m watching a Bobcats game right now, and the sportscaster just said, “Of course, the big news of the weekend is that Michael Jordan has bought the Charlotte Bobcats.” Oh, I know…we are wondering if this is another plea for attention from Michael Jordan, who has had the weirdest retirement of anyone I can think of, especially someone who many say is the greatest player EVER. Tell me this:
Does Michael Jordan himself know why he wants to own this team? What immediately comes to mind is the ranting Hall of Fame Induction speech that Jordan made last year, in which he reminded owners and the front office guys that it’s the players who win championships. I seem to remember him saying something similar when he was about to leave the Bulls ball club.
Is he going to be good for the team? I can’t help but wonder, because we all know that he did some really questionable things with the Wizards, and got fired. Well, if he owns the team, he can’t get fired, but he can certainly do other types of damage. As a North Carolinian by birth, I feel slightly sick at the thought of Jordan taking this blossoming team and screwing it up. Don’t get upset…I know who Jordan is to basketball…on the court. This is not the same thing.
Can MJ keep up the endorsements as an owner? You tell me. Has this ever been done? I suppose that, if the answer is no, Jordan could become the first and best known (and most well-paid) endorsement mogul to ever own a team…
Here’s what I think: Michael Jordan has lived his whole life by being challenged. It all goes back to what he said in that crazy speech at the Induction ceremony. Anytime someone challenged him, they were throwing logs on his raging fire inside. Well, Bob Johnson has been pretty unsuccessful as owner of the Bobcats, and he was the first African American majority owner of a professional sports team. Don’t you see? Jordan now has a chance to become the first successful majority owner, and once again make history. If that is what keeps him alive, then so be it. I’m not much of a Jordan fan, but if he can pull this off, I think everyone should leave him and his crazy alone.
I’m just sayin…
