Jordan Discussing Buying Into Hornets

Michael Jordan isn’t finished with the NBA. Barely two months after retiring as a player, Jordan is working on a deal to rejoin the league as a part owner of the Charlotte Hornets.

Officials with the NBA and the Hornets confirmed Saturday that Jordan began speaking with team owner George Shinn this month about buying a 50% share of the franchise.

“There have been preliminary discussions about Michael and George becoming equal partners in the ownership and operation of the Hornets,” NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement released by the league Saturday. “Those discussions are ongoing but are not near an agreement.”

Shinn, who brought pro basketball to Charlotte 11 years ago but has fallen on hard times lately, also released a statement saying he was hopeful of completing a deal with Jordan.

“There have been preliminary discussions about Michael Jordan possibly becoming an ownership partner with me,” Shinn said. “Our hope over the next few meetings is to work out a partnership that will benefit the Hornets and the entire community.”

Hornet officials said no firm dates had been set for the two sides to meet again, but that both parties had agreed to stay in touch over the coming weeks.

Jordan, who retired from the Chicago Bulls in January, could not be reached for comment Saturday, and his agent, David Falk, did not return telephone messages left at his home.

The Charlotte Observer first reported Saturday that Jordan was interested in buying a share of the Hornets. Such a deal would not only return Jordan to the game he helped shape over the past 13 years, but it would give a boost to a franchise that has been under fire for poor leadership.

Buying into the Hornets would draw Jordan closer to his childhood roots. Reared in Wilmington, N.C., Jordan played for North Carolina, and his mother lives in Charlotte.