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.
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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 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.
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.
