Good, bad, ugly: Michael Jordan’s mixed Hornets legacy

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Michael Jordan, the second Black majority owner of a major league franchise, hasn't delivered a winner with the Charlotte Hornets, but his philanthropy and returning the Hornets nickname are worth celebrating.

Michael Jordan’s basketball legacy is secure.

He’s on the short list of the best players ever – maybe even the only one on it. As majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, it’s complicated.

Last week’s news that Jordan was selling control of the NBA franchise to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, marked the end of an era for Charlotte basketball and the NBA. The first franchise with Black majority ownership – Bob Johnson when the NBA awarded Charlotte a team to replace the Hornets when George Shinn relocated his team to New Orleans, then Jordan – will be under white control going forward.

Just being able to check that historic box in Charlotte while North America’s other major sports leagues have yet to get the first one is worth celebrating.

It’s also a challenge to other franchises and leagues to put as much effort into building leadership in the front office as they do in the arena.

Athletes of color are a force not only in the NBA, but the NFL, Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball, yet those leagues have seen fit to remain predominantly male and white. And with the skyrocketing cost of franchises these days – the Hornets are now valued at $3 billion according to ESPN – the price is steep for anyone but the super wealthy.

Jordan’s ownership record is mixed. In 13 seasons since taking control from Johnson, the Bobcats/Hornets made the playoffs twice and twice eliminated in the play-in round to postseason qualification. Questionable hires for head coach – remember Sam Vincent? –and general manager (I know you remember the lamentable Rich Cho) hamstrung the on-court product, which is why Charlotte is 423-600 under Jordan’s stewardship.

Jordan, like Johnson was notoriously tight-fisted when it came to hiring the best free agent talent, which is why the Hornets aren’t much of a destination for players in their athletic prime.

Without a doubt, Jordan’s best moves were off court, with the return of the Hornets name in 2014 the most significant. He also put money into the Charlotte community through philanthropy to improve health care access and social justice through local initiatives.

Although Jordan seldom made himself available to the community or reporters, he put his – and the Hornets’ – money behind making Charlotte and North Carolina a more equitable place.

Although Jordan won’t have the final say once the deal is approved by the NBA’s Board of Governors, the Hornets are in position to be a better team on the court. They have a capable general manager in Mitch Kupchak, who has improved the roster during his time in Charlotte. They also have the second overall pick in today’s draft, which should deliver a player who can significantly improve a roster led by one of basketball’s most exciting young players in LaMelo Ball.

That’s something to look forward to post-Jordan.

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