Michael Jordan's Open Letter to Charlotte

New Charlotte Bobcats majority owner Michael Jordan wrote an open letter to Charlotte and it was published inside of an advertisement that ran in The Charlotte Observer yesterday. In this letter, Jordan has chosen the right words. And by now owning 80 percent of the Bobcats after officially buying majority ownership from Bob Johnson last week, he has clearly put his money ($275 million) where his mouth is. It's time for Charlotte and this city's basketball fans to support MJ and this NBA franchise. But more on that later...

Click on the image below to see Jordan's letter.

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Michael Jordan's Horse Playing

Less than three days after inking a deal to become majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan engaged in a game of H-O-R-S-E with rookie Gerald Henderson. The Bobcats were holding a shootaround early yesterday before their night game against the Dallas Mavericks. Jordan is said to have been joking on Henderson as he often does because Henderson is from Duke. That joking turned to trash talking, which led to the game of H-O-R-S-E. Henderson beat Jordan, and the competitive former Number 23 wanted a rematch, of which Henderson also won.

This little contest made it onto several of the sports news shows and blogs as if it is surprising that a 22-year-old NBA rookie would beat a 47-year-old retired legend. But it just goes to show that many people still see MJ as being invincible. Below are videos of the two H-O-R-S-E matches.





Jordan was also courtside during the Bobcats' home game last night. Unfortunately, the team lost, but Jordan's presence might just please some of the naysayers. Ever since talk surfaced about Jordan trying to buy the team, the most popular comment made from almost anyone who has offered an opinion is that they hope Jordan won't be an absentee owner like Bob Johnson.

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Name that Speedway

Now that it has been officially announced that Lowe's Home Improvement will not renew its track sponsorship of Lowe's Motor Speedway, I feel like I should suggest some companies that should take over the naming rights. Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns the track, says that if a new sponsor isn't found by the time Lowe's contract ends at the end of the year, the track that hosts three NASCAR races a year will go back to its former name: Charlotte Motor Speedway. That was the track's name for decades before Lowe's purchased naming rights in the late 1990s.


Sure, Charlotte Motor Speedway conjures up nostalgia for longtime racing fans, but I think we need something more exciting. Here are my top-five suggestions for naming rights, assuming that any of them can afford the $6-$9 million annually that's rumored to be asked for in the deal.

5. McCrory Motor Speedway: Since the seven-term Charlotte mayor isn't seeking reelection, this would be a great way to remind people that he was a big projects kind of guy.

4. Lance Crackers Motor Speedway: This Charlotte-based company has been producing tasty snack packs for nearly 100 years. And since the products are affordable, the company continues to do well during a recession--it recently posted record revenue for the second quarter of 2009--so it could afford the naming rights. And it could give away peanut butter crackers at races to spur ticket sales.

3. Wells Fargo Motor Speedway: They nabbed our beloved Wachovia for pennies on the dollar and are already reaping record profits. Time to pay up. Plus, this would be another way to show their commitment to the area (don't worry about the criticism that would likely come from the federal government if the bank spent this kind of money on sponsorship right now).

2. Jordan Brand Motor Speedway: Come on MJ, we know you can afford it. Plus, you could probably find a way to market the first pair of Air Jordan racing sneakers. I know you're getting your money together as you consider buying the Charlotte Bobcats from Bob Johnson, but I think the speedway would be a more lucrative--and less risky--investment.

1. Harris Teeter Motor Speedway: There's one of these grocery stores on just about every major street in Charlotte, so they already have a loyal following (and the company is headquartered in Matthews). I can just see VIC cardholders (annoyingly) waving their key rings at races. And fans from around the country will be able to say they're going to the race this weekend at "The Teet."

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A New 'BET' for Bob

Will it be BET all over again? Hopefully not, but instead something better. Bob Johnson is seeking to start another nationwide cable channel that targets African-Americans. Right now, his start-up is simply called Urban Television. He's partnering with Ion Media Networks and he's applied to the FCC for approval.

In case you've forgotten, the Charlotte Bobcats owner is a formidable businessman. His story is stuff of legend: how he started Black Entertainment Television in 1980 with a small business loan; less than 20 years later sold it to Viacom for $3 billion; and his stake in the deal made him the first African-American billionaire. That was 10 years ago when Johnson sold BET (though he stayed on as chairman for a few years after). I think he's feeling like one of Jay-Z's lines from "Public Service Announcement" (one of my favorite songs from The Black Album): "I'm ten years removed, still the vibe is in my veins."

Johnson may be yearning to get back into the television business, but it should be noted that this isn't his first attempt to jump back into the industry that made him filthy rich. He launched Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television a.k.a. C-SET in 2004 as a platform to carry his newly formed Bobcats. Even though the network carried other regional sports games, it failed a year later because the Bobcats were too new--and not good enough as a team--to carry a sports channel on their backs. He also launched a movie production company two years ago. The only movie I'm aware of that's come out of that venture was the very disappointing Who's Your Caddy?

Stay tuned to see whether Johnson can give us an option besides BET. If it's done right, we could certainly use it. Especially at a time when the number of sitcoms starring African-Americans is at the lowest it's been in years.

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Allen Iverson a Future Bobcat?

That's the question quietly floating around the NBA. It was announced today by the Detroit Pistons that Allen Iverson will sit out the rest of the season due to his back problems. Many are suspicious because the team seems to play better without him. And since A.I. only has one year left on his contract, it's very doubtful that he would return to the Pistons next year where things aren't going too well. So where would he go? The Charlotte Bobcats have surfaced as a likely match.

This move would reunite Iverson with Larry Brown, the coach with whom he had the most success. It would also give the Bobcats some much-needed star power, as well as an explosive scorer and floor leader. And since there's only one year left on Iverson's contract, it wouldn't cost the Bobcats too much should the move not work out.

While the younger A.I. wouldn't have seemed like much of a fit for the Bobcats, today's 33-year-old Iverson could be. It'll be interesting to see what happens but nothing would transpire until this summer. The Bobcats still have to figure out what they're going to do with current team point guard Raymond Felton, who only has a year left on his contract as well. I envision a situation in which they embark on a three-team deal where they trade Felton and another player to a team, get Iverson from the Pistons, and the Pistons get a player or two from the team where Felton goes.

This is all very possible, but regardless we can expect Larry Brown to continue to shake things up through trades. With him leading the Bobcats to their best season ever this year (and has them in the playoff hunt with the team selling out games), he's shown that he knows how to put together the right pieces. And I think Michael Jordan and Bob Johnson will give him anything he asks for. He just may ask for The Answer.

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USA Today Disses Jordan for Ditching Bobcats

I blogged a couple of weeks ago, giving Michael Jordan props for being more visible in Charlotte for the start of the Bobcats' season. I'm still willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt on what seems to be his renewed commitment to the team. USA Today isn't so easy on him, though, in a story posted on its website last night, which I think is in this weekend's edition of the paper.

The writer interviewed head coach Larry Brown and team majority owner Bob Johnson for the story, titled "Where Jordan: Bobcats waiting for pieces to be assembled," and takes shots at Jordan for going to the big celebrity-filled grand opening party for the new resort in Dubai (pictures are all over the 'net of Dubai's over-the-top celebration).

Brown and Johnson talk openly about their desires and requests for Jordan to be more visible with the franchise. They almost sound desperate, begging even. But Brown makes a good point as to what Jordan means to his young team: "I just want Michael really, really, really involved. One, the players need to see him because of what he's about, what he accomplished."

The story goes on to chronicle the Bobcats' struggles on the court and with attendance at games. It also talks about possible player moves. Several media outlets have reported this week about the Bobcats actively pursuing trades, saying it might happen any day now if the Bobcats can strike the right deal with another team. Everyone from Matt Carroll to Adam Morrison to Gerald Wallace are rumored to be on the trading block.

"You know, there are six guys who might not be on our team in two, three weeks," Brown says in the story.

Click here to read the full story in USA Today.

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I Think Michael Jordan Is Coming Around

Thursday night I attended the Charlotte Chamber's Annual Meeting. To my surprise I enjoyed it and found it very insightful. It was held at Time Warner Cable Arena and attended by more than 2,000 members of the Charlotte business community, most of whom have a lot more money than me. Our local elected officials were also present as was Governor-elect Beverly Perdue (her first public appearance since defeating Pat McCrory Tuesday). But the highlight of the evening--and the reason I was most interested in coming--was Michael Jordan accepting the Citizen of the Carolinas Award.

I, like many Charlotteans, fans, and journalists, have been critical about Jordan's involvement and presence in Charlotte during the two and a half years he's been part-owner and top executive (second only to Bob Johnson) of the Charlotte Bobcats. I blogged last week about Jordan sitting on the Bobcats bench during the season home opener. And now, after the speech he gave while accepting the award Thursday night and the interview he gave The Charlotte Observer last night, I feel like MJ is committed to Charlotte.

During his speech, he assured everyone that he's in Charlotte more than we think. He said we might not see him at the grocery store, but we could find him at the golf course. He also said he would love to spend even more time in Charlotte--"North Carolina will always be home," he said--but he has other business and family obligations that require him to spend a lot of time in Chicago. I truly understand that. It's selfish of us, and particularly the anonymous commenters who are always dissing him on news and blog sites, to think that Jordan would be in Charlotte every day. The Bobcats is just one of his many business ventures, but I think he's showing now that it's a very important one.

Jordan also talked about being committed to putting a team on the court that we'll be excited about. He also, oddly, said that he was "Sorry for what George Shinn did to you guys." It's obvious that he recognizes that there are some people who are still bitter about the Hornets leaving (the Bobcats beat the Hornets last night, by the way). Jordan said that he and Bob Johnson, who was sitting in the audience, are working hard to make the Bobcats a success.

Then, in an exclusive interview with Observer reporter Scott Fowler last night, Jordan, who rarely grants interviews, talked candidly about the team and his relationship with Johnson. And one of his comments is sure to get the Internet and sports commentators buzzing: "When Bob wants to step aside, I have no problem stepping in and saying, ‘Hey, look, I’d love to take control of this franchise.' "

Click here for the Observer article.

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Bobcats Make Statement In Home Opener

My South Carolina Gamecocks played the Tennessee Volunteers tonight. The game coverage started at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, which was also the time the coverage of the Charlotte Bobcats game started. The Bobcats played the Miami Heat for their season home opener. Because my Gamecocks were taking care of business, I was able to switch back and forth to watch a good bit of the Bobcats game. The Bobcats took care of business, too, outplaying the Heat in just about every area. But I'm not here to give a game recap.

The Bobcats, who went 0-8 in the preseason and lost their season opener Thursday by 17 points to the Cleveland Cavaliers, looked like a fundamentally good and well-coached team tonight. Kudos to head coach Larry Brown. It's far too early to make any predictions as to how the season will go because the Bobcats could easily have a season where sometimes we see the team that played today and sometimes we see the team that played Thursday.

But what was good to see, and hopefully we see more of, is Michael Jordan sitting on the team bench for the entire game. He didn't seem to say too much to the players and coaches during the game, but his presence said a lot. As part owner and managing member of basketball operations, aside from being MJ, he's the man in charge and things haven't gone well during the more than two years under his watch. Fans and critics have said often that they'd like to see Jordan at more games. He has responded by saying he doesn't want to be a distraction. He comes to the home opener and other select games throughout the season, but I don't ever recall him sitting with the team.


After the Bobcats 100-87 victory, Jordan was all smiles, shaking hands and patting on the back all of the players and coaches as they headed to the locker room. That has to mean a lot to the young players and new coaching staff. We'll see if it continues.

Majority owner Bob Johnson was at the game also, sitting in floor seats on the other side of the court. It was a positive sign to see the often-accused absentee owner there, too. He and his small entourage filled a few seats, but the entire arena wasn't full. It looked like maybe 90 percent capacity. That's great for most nights, but not opening night. The home opener should always be a sellout. The Bobcats' struggles to sell tickets have been well documented. The only cure will be for the team to win.

Jordan and Johnson will also have to work harder this year on winning over fans and corporate sponsors. Interest in the Bobcats, I feel, is at an all-time low. Jordan and Johnson will likely be in Charlotte most of the week. Jordan is receiving the Citizen of the Carolinas Award Thursday at the Charlotte Chamber's Annual Meeting. (I'll be there!)

The game was carried by SportSouth, as will most of the games this season. It's a product of the deal the Bobcats made last spring to get a better television package that extends their viewing audience, for which they gave Time Warner Cable naming rights of the arena to get out of the TWC television deal. I have DirecTV and it took me a while to find the game, which aired on "RSNa Overflow Alternate 650," some channel I never heard of.

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Charlotte Bobcats Announce 2008-09 Schedule

I'm going to be lazy right now and simply post the press release. I'll share my thoughts on the upcoming season later.


Team Opens With Eight of Its First 10 Games at Home

August 6, 2008 – The National Basketball Association announced the 2008-09 NBA regular-season schedule today and the Charlotte Bobcats will open on Thursday, October 30 at Cleveland versus the LeBron James-led Cavaliers. The Bobcats schedule also features 21 weekend home dates, including 11 Saturday night games.

Eight of the Bobcats first 10 games will be at home, highlighted by visits from 2008 NBA Olympians Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat on Nov. 1, Tayshaun Prince and the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 3, Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets on Nov. 7 and Chris Bosh and the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 9. The Bobcats will also host Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 11, Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer and the Utah Jazz on Nov. 14, Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic on Nov. 16 and Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 18.

Other highlights of the schedule include a Thanksgiving weekend visit from the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. and a celebration of Martin Luther King’s birthday at 2 p.m. on Jan. 19 against the San Antonio Spurs. The Bobcats will play 24 of their final 41 games on the road, including two five-game road trips.

All Bobcats home games will begin at 7 p.m., with the exception of the MLK game against San Antonio and two Sunday contests against Toronto (Nov. 9, 1 p.m.) and Orlando (Nov. 16, 5:30 p.m.). New broadcast partner FSN South and sister network SportSouth will air 70 games this season, with a schedule to be unveiled at a later date.

Visit www.bobcats.com for more details.

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Bobcats Draft Party at Whisky River

I went to the Charlotte Bobcats Draft Party last year at the arena. I enjoyed it. There were a lot of festivities and sports personalities on hand as fans anticipated what players the Bobcats would be drafting. Michael Jordan and his brain trust were in a private room at the arena as they negotiated a trade to get Jason Richardson. This year the party, scheduled for tomorrow, 6-9 p.m., is at Whisky River, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s bar that opened in March at the Epicentre. See flier below for details.

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If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em

This is a simple, short post because the picture speaks a thousand words (and a couple billion dollars).

The Charlotte Bobcats completed their fourth season last night at home against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Bobcats finished the season 32-50, obviously missing the playoffs. While the record is bad, the team is performing on par with how young NBA franchises have in the past.

The team and its ownership seem to realize the challenges they face (many locals still haven't warmed up to Charlotte's second NBA team since the Hornets left), but they also need to stop being stubborn and give the fans what they want. The fans want a winning team, which understandably can take time (but time is running out). And the fans also want this: to see the team's star owners present at games.

Bobcats majority owner Bob Johnson seated next to minority owners Nelly and Michael Jordan at the team's final game of the season.

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