Apart from being the GOAT at basketball, Michael Jordan, was one of the highest money makers in the NBA, largely due to his Nike deal and endorsements with several other brands. By the turn of the century, he had enough money to have a stake in an NBA franchise. But he would only be able to buy the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) for $275,000,000, seven years after his 3rd and final retirement. However, according to reports, David Stern offered him a piece in a much bigger franchise.
Advertisement
Jordan wanted to have a piece of the Chicago Bulls but couldn’t do so because of owner Jerry Reinsdorf. It didn’t work with Washington Wizards either, as he sold his minority stake there to come back as a player in 2001. After his 2nd retirement, he made a comeback as a player-president, seeking a stake again, at the end of his tenure in 2003. Rather it just ended as a failure for him as the lead front-office guy and no ownership offer from the Wizards. However he did get a chance to buy the franchise for which Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once played, and now Giannis Antetokounmpo wears its crest.
Michael Jordan could have been the owner of the Milwaukee Bucks
In 2003, the Milwaukee Bucks were reportedly up for sale along with San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Bobcats, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat. Michael Jordan was looking at the Bucks (who were available for sale for a year) under the advisory of then-NBA commissioner, David Stern.
However, according to Fan Nation’s Bucks Zone, the pursuit fell off because of the then-owner of the Bucks, Herb Kohl. Herb felt if he sold the franchise to the Bulls legend, he would take the team somewhere else and deprive Milwaukee of its basketball heritage.
It would have cost him much less than his $275 million purchase of the Bobcats in 2010. But it didn’t happen. And thankfully Herb only sold the Bucks (in 2014) after they drafted Giannis in 2013.
Imagine the failure MJ has had as a front-office guy and an owner for 13 years, the Greek international might not have been the player he is today or he could be playing somewhere else.
This past April, Marc Lasry, who bought the team in 2014 with Wes Edens, sold his share to Dee Haslam and Jimmy Haslam.
MJ launched a tequila company with Wes Edens
After meeting the Lakers owner Jeannie Buss, Celtics part-owner Wyc Grousbeck, and Bucks co-owner Wes Edens at a pizzeria named Pasquale Jones, Jordan along with them launched Cincoro Tequila.
So, he might have missed his opportunity to co-own the Bucks with Edens; he does own a business with him. Had he sold the Hornets by now, he would have had the chance to own a successful franchise for once.
