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Return of MJ? Report: Michael Jordan may buy into Wizards
Posted: Thursday January 13, 2000 11:31 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Michael Jordan is reportedly involved in discussions to buy a share of the Washington Wizards and become the team's president of basketball operations. NewsChannel 8 and the Washington Post said Wednesday night that Jordan would become part-owner of the team in a partnership with Ted Leonsis, the America Online executive whose group purchased part of the Wizards and all of the Washington Capitals last year. Leonsis' group has the right of first refusal to buy all of the Wizards and the MCI Center when majority owner Abe Pollin decides to sell the team. The reports said the deal could be in place by next month's All-Star break. The Wizards, a struggling franchise that hasn't won a playoff game in 12 years, haven't had a sellout this season at the 2-year-old downtown MCI Center. Washington's record is 12-24, and last week the team lost back-to-back games to the lowly Chicago Bulls. There is little hope for immediate improvement because of a roster that includes high-priced but underachieving stars Mitch Richmond, Rod Strickland and Juwan Howard, all of whom have salaries that make them difficult to trade under the NBA's salary cap rules. In addition, Strickland has openly clashed with new coach Gar Heard this season. Jordan retired from the NBA one year ago and was involved last summer in an unsuccessful bid to purchase a stake in the Charlotte Hornets. He has always ruled out a coaching career, but a management role would be a way to keep the game's greatest player active in the league. As head of basketball operations, Jordan would oversee the trading, signing and drafting of players and the hiring and firing of front-office personnel. Pollin said when the Capitals were sold that he was in no hurry to give up control of the Wizards, and he reiterated that position in an in-house memo to his staff this week, the Post said. "In spite of the rumors you may have heard about me and the Wizards and MCI Center, I want to set the record straight," Pollin's memo said. "I am not selling the Wizards. I am not selling the MCI Center. I remain in full control of the Wizards, MCI Center, Ticketmaster and USAir Arena. I am the boss now and plan to remain the boss for many years to come." Pollin, Leonsis and Jordan's agent, David Falk, did not return phone messages Wednesday night. The Wizards had no immediate comment. |
