NBA Royalty Running a Team? It Could Happen

Discussion in 'NBA General' started by Shapecity, May 12, 2006.

  1. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">ATLANTA -- Magic Johnson always is looking to expand his business empire. One way is to own an NBA franchise.

    And get this: He would like to buy in with Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley.

    "If the right franchise became available, trust me, I'd make the calls," Johnson said.

    "What better situation for us than to do it together?"

    Johnson said he hadn't had any substantial discussions with his close friends about owning an NBA team. But judging from his talk, he has given the concept some thought.

    Johnson envisions a setup that would have Jordan running the basketball operations. He would handle the business side and Barkley would be, well, Barkley.

    "Charles could handle the sponsors and dealing with people," Johnson said in an off-the-air conversation while working as an analyst for TNT this week.

    "And if we needed somebody to talk harsh to the team, he could do that."

    Johnson believes the idea makes sense because he and Jordan want to own and operate an NBA franchise. Johnson currently holds a small ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers.

    After retiring, the Lakers great founded the Johnson Development Corp. His firm owns movie theaters, Starbucks franchises and health clubs among other holdings that have made an impact in urban areas.

    "If I owned a team, I'd have to get somebody with Michael's skills to run the basketball side," Johnson said. "If he bought into a team, he would have to find somebody like me to make the company profitable. It would be the perfect marriage."

    Johnson said he would give Jordan complete control of the basketball decisions. He wants to concentrate on the business aspect.

    "There are no egos here," Johnson said. "I have partners in other businesses. This wouldn't be any different. Michael knows basketball better than anybody. I'd trust him, and he would trust me to make the decisions about money. That's what a partnership is all about."

    What if Barkley wanted to be active on the basketball front?

    "That would be up to him and Michael to decide," Johnson said. "They're so close, they can run it together."

    Johnson knows enough about the NBA business landscape to suggest there are a couple of franchises currently available. But, he says, "they're not the right ones."

    Johnson then brought up the idea of bringing an NBA team to Las Vegas.

    Calling out across the viewing room, Johnson said, "Hey, Charles, would you be interested in owning a team in Las Vegas?"

    "Count me in," said Barkley, who has been known to spend some time in the city.</div>

    Source
     
  2. eddyboy

    eddyboy JBB JustBBall Member

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    Can you imagine being a coach working for those three guys?...talk about a living hell!! Every decision would be put under a microscope...No thanks!
     
  3. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting eddyboy:</div><div class="quote_post">Can you imagine being a coach working for those three guys?...talk about a living hell!! Every decision would be put under a microscope...No thanks!</div>

    Great point. I think those three running a team would define the cliche "Too many chefs in the kitchen." All three have dominant personalities, I just don't see how they could agree on anything. I remember Jordan had a hard time as GM, because most teams didn't want to deal with him. He had won enough as a player, so they didn't want him to beat them from an executive level position.
     
  4. 1kobe2gasol3bynum4odom

    1kobe2gasol3bynum4odom JBB JustBBall Member

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    Wow 1 word 'disaster'. Imagine Barkley and Jordan fighting each other over a decision in the office while Magic steps in and try to be a peace maker. I like how Magic has his confident in them working together as a team, but it won't happen. Though, from a fan standpoint, I would love to see an NBA legend owning a team and see how they operate as an executive.
     
  5. Really Lost One

    Really Lost One Suspended

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    doesnt magic already own part of the lakers or something?
     
  6. 1kobe2gasol3bynum4odom

    1kobe2gasol3bynum4odom JBB JustBBall Member

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    ...he does but he owns only a small percentage of the Lakers, which mean the Buss family still control all the major decision making.
     
  7. NTC

    NTC Active Member

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    Well it sounds as though the Trailblazers are going to be possibly available soon, maybe they should look at buying into them.
     
  8. playmaker15

    playmaker15 JBB Droppin Dimes

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    I actually like the idea. A lot of players would love to come in and play for them. It could either be a huge success, or a huge disaster.
     
  9. jbbDaCaliHustla50

    jbbDaCaliHustla50 JBB JustBBall Member

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    It would be very interesting, 3 legends controlling a team. I would like to see how they do with the team. I think they'll do well because players would want to play for them. They could possibly get the Blazers
     
  10. KL32

    KL32 JBB JustBBall Member

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    i think its a great idea, it will bring more interest and eventually, income to whichever team they decide to take ownership of. they will make a great partnership and i would definetely want to play/coach for them.
     
  11. og15

    og15 JBB *********

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">Well it sounds as though the Trailblazers are going to be possibly available soon, maybe they should look at buying into them.</div>
    I think that's why he also said "Johnson knows enough about the NBA business landscape to suggest there are a couple of franchises currently available. But, he says, "they're not the right ones." [​IMG]

    I don't think they'd want to own the Blazers.
     
  12. TimmyDMVP

    TimmyDMVP JBB JustBBall Member

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    I would like to see that, then it could turn into a sitcom and be full of fights like making the band where all the rappers wanted to kill each other
     
  13. 1kobe2gasol3bynum4odom

    1kobe2gasol3bynum4odom JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">Well it sounds as though the Trailblazers are going to be possibly available soon, maybe they should look at buying into them.</div>
    I don't think it's the Blazers. Paul Allen (Microsoft co-founder) is the Blazers owner and he's a billionair, I don't see him trying to sell the team because he losing profit. The guy earns billion of dollar a year, so losing a couple hundred million a season means nothing to him. Well unless he getting tired of running an franchise business, then yeah but not because of financially.

    I think it's the Seattle Sonics. Right now, they having financial problem with the attendance and their owner is losing money instead of gaining more.
     
  14. bballer768484

    bballer768484 JBB JustBBall Member

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    yeah it could happen for sure, magic could dude it no problem. he would be the man.
     
  15. harbingerofdoom

    harbingerofdoom JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Great point. I think those three running a team would define the cliche "Too many chefs in the kitchen." </div> yeah it does!
    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">All three have dominant personalities, I just don't see how they could agree on anything. I remember Jordan had a hard time as GM, because most teams didn't want to deal with him. He had won enough as a player, so they didn't want him to beat them from an executive level position.</div>
    If they stuck to clearly defined roles they could do it and do it right. but man what a pressure cooker it would be for the coaching staff and more experienced players.
     

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