Michael Jordan’s Victory In Hornets Sale Is Black America’s Loss
1 year, 4 months ago

Michael Jordan’s Victory In Hornets Sale Is Black America’s Loss

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“Sports franchises are how we knight people in this country.” – Bobby Axelrod, on Showtime’s hit show, “Billions.” Michael Jordan’s decision to sell the Charlotte Hornets isn’t just ending his unsuccessful 13-year run owning and leading one of the NBA’s worst, most depressing teams. Although Black players account for more than 70% of the talent on NBA rosters, with Jordan’s sale of the Hornets, no more Black majority owners are left to call the shots for teams. In fact, a report published by Revelio Labs earlier this year contends that the NFL “has a significant disparity between the diversity of its players and that of its coaching staff — the largest among men’s major leagues — and this has not changed despite a large pool of diverse former players that could meet a demand for coaching talent.” These data points illustrate a power dynamic in which Black sweat is a crucial part of the engine driving multibillion-dollar profits for sports leagues and media networks, while the decision-making largely rests in the hands of a predominantly white leadership structure that includes ownership and extends into the press, the TV network C-suite, player agents, sports advertisers, corporate sponsors and season ticket holders. As one of only two Black Americans to hold majority ownership of a major professional sports franchise — with Jordan’s predecessor, Charlotte Bobcats owner Robert L. Johnson being the other — Jordan established a solid, albeit uninspiring, track record of hiring people of color into prominent, high-profile roles.

History of this topic

NBA Board of Governors approves Michael Jordan’s sale of the Charlotte Hornets - Reports
1 year, 5 months ago
NBA Board of Governors approves Michael Jordan’s sale of the Charlotte Hornets, AP source says
1 year, 5 months ago
NBA Board of Governors approves Hornets sale, ending Michael Jordan’s tenure as majority owner: Source
1 year, 5 months ago
Michael Jordan’s decision to sell the Hornets leaves some team decisions in flux
1 year, 6 months ago
Michael Jordan’s decision to sell the Hornets leaves some team decisions in flux
1 year, 6 months ago
Michael Jordan selling majority ownership stake in Charlotte Hornets
1 year, 6 months ago
Michael Jordan selling majority ownership stake in Charlotte Hornets
1 year, 6 months ago
Michael Jordan selling Hornets majority stake to group led by Gabe Plotkin, Rick Schnall
1 year, 6 months ago
NBA: Michael Jordan has picked the PERFECT time to sell the Charlotte Hornets
1 year, 8 months ago
Michael Jordan considering sale of Hornets; no deal imminent
1 year, 9 months ago
NBA Legend Michael Jordan in Talks to Sell Majority Stake in NBA Hornets: Report
1 year, 9 months ago
Michael Jordan is in talks to sell majority stake of Charlotte Hornets
1 year, 9 months ago
Michael Jordan in talks to sell majority stake in Hornets franchise: Source
1 year, 9 months ago
NBA invests in Africa with new 'billion-dollar' business
3 years, 6 months ago
NBA Legend Michael Jordan Takes Equity Stake in Fantasy Sports Company, Will Also Advise Board
4 years, 3 months ago
NBA Foundation created, pledges $300 million to Black growth
4 years, 4 months ago

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