After 13 years of being a majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, Michael Jordan has agreed to sell his stake in the franchise to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall. As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports, the sale has been agreed for approximately $3 billion. Amidst the big headlines of this massive business deal, some epic moments of MJ as the Hornets owner have once again resurfaced on social media.
Advertisement
In a video posted by David Astramsks, Michael Jordan slaps Malik Monk twice on his head during a sideline argument. This moment was another one of those moments when MJ’s competitive side took the best of him. This video went viral beyond measure, often used as a subject to ridicule the Hornets and Michael Jordan as an owner.
Michael Jordan’s best moment as the Hornets owner pic.twitter.com/88RO7kNUgU
— David Astramskas (@redapples) June 16, 2023
Michael Jordan slapping Malik Monk was meant with ‘playful’ intent
In a 2018 regular season game against the Detroit Pistons, the Hornets won the match 108-107 by a single-point margin. Jeremy Lamb’s jumper with 0.3 seconds remaining gave the Hornets a much-necessary victory, pushing them to sixth in the East in a 14-13 record.
However, when Malik Monk jumped onto the court following Lamb’s shot, the Hornets were assessed with a warning on the play. This had earned Monk a chat with Jordan, standing near Charlotte’s bench.
Jordan seemed to have a disappointed dad look, slapping the then-second-year guard upside his head. Monk’s technical foul might have upset Jordan a bit, but he did not have any ill intent toward the player. In a post-match interview, Jordan clarified, “It was like a big brother and little brother tap. No negative intent. Only love!”
Michael Jordan selling his majority stake in Charlotte Hornets for $3 billion
Michael Jordan has agreed to sell his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets for approximately $3 billion. ESPN’s senior insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports that a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall has bought this stake from Jordan.
BREAKING: Michael Jordan is finalizing a sale of the Charlotte Hornets to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, ending his 13-year run as majority owner, league sources told ESPN on Friday. pic.twitter.com/5TonSrIQhF
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 16, 2023
Once the deal is approved by the NBA, Schnall, and Plotkin will become the Hornets’ majority owners and governors over its affairs. Schnall is a minority owner with the Atlanta Hawks, while Plotkin has a minority stake in the Hornets. As of now, Jordan will oversee the franchise’s operations through the upcoming NBA draft and the start of free agency.
