Report: Jordan May Return

Michael Jordan is considering returning to the NBA as a player for the Charlotte Hornets, Fox Sports News reported Tuesday night.

It was already known that Jordan, who retired earlier this year after leading the Chicago Bulls to six championships, had preliminary talks with the Hornets and NBA officials about purchasing a 50% share of the team.

The possibility of him playing for the Hornets is a new twist.

Fox Sports, citing sources close to Jordan, said one possible scenario would involve Jordan playing one full season for the Hornets while his ownership shares were held in a trust or otherwise deferred.

That scenario also would include Phil Jackson being brought in to coach the team for one year and Dean Smith, Jordan’s college coach at North Carolina, being brought aboard as team president.

Fox cited a quote by Jordan saying he “has to stay in shape.”

Jordan’s agent, David Falk, could not be reached for comment.

Jordan issued a statement Monday confirming his interest in owning half of the team.

Asked about the report of Jordan’s possible return, Harold Kaufman, a spokesman for the Hornets, said, “I haven’t heard anything like that.”