Jordan Partly Owns Capitals Too

Michael Jordan, acknowledging he has much to learn about hockey, was unanimously approved Tuesday as a partner in the group that owns the Washington Capitals.

The move means the NHL has three superstar athletes as owners, with Jordan joining Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

The NHL introduced Jordan after the basketball great met with the NHL’s executive committee at the league’s meetings.

“I get to learn another game,” said Jordan, who is president of basketball operations for the NBA’s Washington Wizards. “A lot of my friends are hockey players. I have a good understanding for the game. My kids are hockey players. They play basketball too.”

Ted Leonsis, majority owner of Lincoln Holdings and chairman of the Capitals, added Jordan as a partner on Jan. 19, 2000. He did not reveal the percentage of Jordan’s ownership in the team, though it is thought to be about 12%.

“It’s a substantial position,” Leonsis said.