| | The NBA would be receptive to Michael Jordan returning to the
league as a part-owner and director of basketball operations for
the Washington Wizards.
|  | | Will Jordan give up time on the links to run the Wizards? |
"We've made it clear that we think it'd be a terrific thing to
have Michael Jordan involved in the NBA in whatever capacity he
wants to be involved in. That's no secret," deputy commissioner
Russ Granik said Friday. "That would be wherever and whatever he
was interested in doing."
A shroud of secrecy continued to hang over negotiations between
current Wizards owner Abe Pollin, minority owner Ted Leonsis and
Jordan.
The Washington Post reported Friday that an agreement in
principle had been reached for Jordan to take over as president of
basketball operations.
If negotiations continue to progress, Jordan could be running
the team before the Feb. 24 trading deadline.
"I think he'd be great in the job, I really do," Indiana
Pacers general manager Donnie Walsh said. "He knows the players,
he knows what it takes to win. In dealing with his own franchise
he'll know why they are winning or not winning and what he needs to
win."
One major part of the deal yet to be resolved is the amount of
equity in the franchise Jordan would assume from the minority
ownership group.
Another snag is the potential conflicts of interest between Jordan and his agent, David Falk, who represents several NBA players.
"That's a concern," an NBA official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said in Saturday's editions of the Post. "That's one of the many things we have to work through on this matter."
Leonsis, an executive at America Online, and two partners bought
100 percent of the NHL Washington Capitals and part of Washington
Sports and Entertainment, which includes the Wizards, the WNBA's
Mystics and the MCI Center, from longtime owner Pollin last year.
Leonsis' group also has the right of first refusal to buy the rest of WSE when the 76-year-old Pollin decides to sell.
No one was forthcoming with details about the deal Friday.
"I have nothing to say about the details of any current
discussions," Granik said.
Pollin, Leonsis and Jordan's agent, David Falk, did not return phone calls.
"We have no announcement scheduled and no comment," Wizards spokesman Matt Williams said.
Still, the seemingly impending return of Jordan to the NBA was
creating quite a buzz. No name in basketball commands attention
like that of Jordan, whose mere presence would bring instant
excitement to a moribund franchise.
The Wizards, 12-24 this season, haven't won a playoff game in 12
years and haven't had a sellout this season at the 2-year-old
downtown MCI Center.
As head of basketball operations, Jordan would oversee the
trading, signing and drafting of players and the hiring and firing
of front-office personnel.
Although he would be a newcomer to that end of the business, no
one was expecting him to be a pushover in trade talks.
"I don't think you're going to take advantage of Michael
Jordan. Nobody has so far," Walsh said. "You're dealing with a
basketball person who understands what you're talking about. Once
you establish a relationship with him, you both know what each other are talking about.
"It's the same as asking whether a great player can be a great
coach, like Larry Bird. Guys who have been players in the league
have ended up being good coaches and general managers. What's going
to make Michael Jordan any different? I think he'll be a great
general manager," Walsh said.
| |
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