A deal that would see Michael Jordan join the Wizards
as Dir of Basketball Operations and part owner was not
finalized over the weekend, but "talks were said to be
continuing" between Jordan and reps for Wizards Minority
Owner Ted Leonsis, according to Steve Wyche of the
WASHINGTON POST. An ownership stake "is believed to be the
only hurdle left to Jordan joining" the team (WASHINGTON
POST, 1/17). In DC, Mitchell & Fisher cite sources close to
the negotiations as saying that "any firm deal will likely
happen later rather than sooner." One source described the
talks as "in the discussion stage": "I don't see anything
happening right away." Jordan is scheduled to meet with
Pollin and Leonsis later this week (WASHINGTON TIMES, 1/17).
Meanwhile, Wyche noted that Jordan "has established a solid
working and personal relationship" with Pollin and "is eager
to work with" Wizards GM Wes Unseld. But sources say that
Jordan "will not join the team unless he gets some ownership
stake" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/16). In Denver, Mike Monroe
reported that Jordan "reportedly met" with Lakers GM Jerry
West weeks ago "to ask his opinion of how big a rebuilding
job the Clippers franchise has become" (DENVER POST, 1/16).
DAVID AND GOLIATH: In DC, Justice & Asher examined the
potential role of Jordan's agent David Falk in any Wizards
deal and wrote that it "could be a concern" because Falk and
Jordan "are so close that Falk surely would become a
formidable presence in the team's operations." The NBPA
prohibits player agents from holding managerial positions
with teams and from representing members of a team's
management structure. Therefore, Falk "would not be allowed
to represent Jordan in future negotiations" with Pollin but
could "continue representing" Jordan in his endorsement
deals (WASHINGTON POST, 1/15). In L.A., Scott Wolf wrote
that "it's no stretch to think Falk would play some type of
`unofficial' role if Jordan is the Wizards' CEO" (L.A. DAILY
NEWS, 1/16). In Philadelphia, Stephen Smith noted the
likelihood that Falk "had his fingerprints all over this
latest Jordan scenario." Smith: "The irony is that Falk may
be the biggest beneficiary if Jordan enters into a
partnership with the Wizards. Hey, he could become a
partner of Jordan's" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/16). In
N.Y., Mike Wise: "What happens when Falk's greatest
investment, Jordan, stares him down at the other end of the
bargaining table?" Wise wrote that although NBA
Commissioner David Stern would never admit it, "the notion
of the relationship between Falk and Jordan disintegrating
over the next few years is a tantalizing proposition ...
[because] in Stern's world, Jordan would finally understand
how dangerous Falk is to the game. He would see, firsthand,
the agent's meddlesome ways in tearing apart franchises by
leveraging his clients." But on the other hand, with
Jordan's basketball experience and Falk's list of clients,
the two "could work together in creating a dynasty, usurp
more of Stern's power and make the commissioner yearn for
the days of competitive balance" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/16).
NEWSDAY's Greg Logan asked, "When Falk comes calling with a
client, does he automatically get top dollar? And will Falk
steer his clients to the Wizards?" (NEWSDAY, 1/16).
