Majority ownership ng basketball legend na si Michael Jordan sa NBA natapos na makaraang aprubahan ang pagbebenta ng kaniyang share sa Charlotte Hornets
NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan / (Photo by Logan Riely / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Opisyal nang natapos ang majority ownership ng NBA legend na si Michael Jordan sa liga, makaraang aprubahan ng league governors ang pagbebenta ng kaniyang share sa Charlotte Hornets.
Ang grupong bumili ay pinangungunahan ni Gabe Plotkin, chief investment officer sa Tallwoods Capital LLC, at Rick Schnall, co-president ng private equity firm na Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.
Sa isang pahayag ay sinabi ng Hornets, “The sale, which has been approved by the NBA Board of Governors, immediately gives Plotkin and Schnall the controlling interest in the franchise.”
Ayon kina Plotkin at Schnall, magsisilbi silang co-chairmen ng Hornets Sports and Entertainment, at sinabing “we will rotate the team’s governorship every five years, beginning with Schnall.”
Ang kasunduan, na unang inanunsiyo noong Hunyo, ay napaulat na nagkakahalaga ng $3 billion.
Nakuha ni Jordan ang controlling investment sa Hornets noong 2010 sa halagang $275 million. Ang franchise ang naging tanging koponan na ang majority ng may-ari ay Black.
Si Jordan, na napanatili ang isang minority share sa franchise, ay nagsabing nagpapasalamat siya na nagkaroon ng pagkakataong gabayan ang koponan sa loob ng higit sa isang dekada.
An overview of the arena on August 3, 2023 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina / AFP
Kent Smith / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP
Ayon kay Jordan, “The opportunity to be the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets in my home state of North Carolina for the last 13 years has been a tremendous honor.”
Sinabi pa niya, “I’m proud of all that the organization accomplished: the exciting on-court moments, the return of the Hornets name, Charlotte hosting the 2019 NBA All-Star Game and HSE becoming a true pillar of this Community. Through the years, the unwavering commitment, passion and loyalty of our Hornets fans has been incredible. As I transition into a minority ownership role, I’m thrilled to be able to pass the reins to two successful, innovative and strategic leaders in Gabe and Rick.”
Madalas na itinuturing na pinakadakilang manlalaro ng basketball, pinangunahan ni Jordan ang mga koponan sa anim na NBA titles, napanalunan din niya ang Most Valuable Player award ng liga ng limang ulit at nakakuha ng dalawang Olympic gold medals. Ang huli niyang professional game ay noong 2003.
Gayunman, ang pagiging owner niya ay hindi gasinong naging matagumpay.
Sa loob ng kaniyang 13-taon pagmamay-ari, tatlong ulit lamang na nakaabot sa playoffs ang Charlotte kung saan natalo pa ito sa first round pa lamang sa lahat ng tatlong okasyon.
Sa last season, natapos ang Charlotte ng isang puwesto na lamang para maging pinaka-kulelat sa Eastern Conference sa record na 27-55.
Sa kanilang joint statement ay sinabi nina Schnall at Plotkin, “We hope to build on the “stability” that Jordan brought to the franchise. We’re excited about the organization’s future. Our vision is to take the Hornets to the next level both on and off the court.”
