With no new developments reported yesterday on talks
between Michael Jordan and the Wizards about Jordan possibly
becoming the team's Dir of Basketball Operations and part
owner, members of the media continued to weigh in on
Jordan's chances of revitalizing the franchise. In DC, Tony
Kornheiser writes that Jordan could sell 5,000 tickets a
game "just by walking in the arena and sitting down in the
owner's box." But Kornheiser writes that any possible delay
in the deal could mean that David Falk "is trying to extract
too high a price for Jordan's services from [Minority Owner
Ted] Leonsis." Kornheiser: "If Falk isn't holding things
up, perhaps it's Leonsis, who seems to want to quash the
story, if not the deal. There is some danger for Leonsis
here. Thus far he has been seen as an ebullient,
Falstaffian figure. But if this deal falls through because
Leonsis couldn't reach a financial settlement with Jordan,
Leonsis could be seen as a tightwad" (WASHINGTON POST,
1/18). But CNNSI.com's Phil Taylor wrote that Jordan's
"first move, whenever he joins an NBA front office or
ownership group, should be to sever all business ties with
Falk" (CNNSI.com, 1/17). Meanwhile, in Baltimore, John
Eisenberg writes that Jordan "has his golden-touch
reputation to lose" by associating with the Wizards and
"might lose that unbeatable reputation unless he is willing
to sign on for a painstaking rebuilding job that might take
years" (Baltimore SUN, 1/18). Celtics coach & President
Rick Pitino: "My advice to him would be to stay on the golf
course. If his motive is to be a businessman and to make
money, I would stay with commercials. If his motive is to
be a part of professional basketball, then he would add to
the game greatly" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/18). Pistons F Grant
Hill: "I just can't understand why he'd want to do that. It
just seems like it's beneath him. Not to be an owner, but
to be a G.M." (N.Y. TIMES, 1/18).
IS THIS ALL A PLOY TO INCREASE SALES? In N.Y., Richard
Wilner notes that Jordan "could be aiming at re-energizing
his stagnant, but still No. 1, position as the world's top
commercial spokesman." Wilner writes that sales of Jordan's
line of Nike shoes and clothes fell 42% last fall to "its
weakest showing ever" (N.Y. POST, 1/18).
GOOD FOR THE GAME: On last night's "NewsStand," CNN's
David Mattingly reported on Jordan's possible deal to become
part owner of the Wizards. The Washington Post's Michael
Wilbon: "There never has been anybody that visible, who
isn't white, who has owned a chunk of a primary sports
franchise in the United States." Mattingly says, "On the
playing field, minorities are the majority. ... However, in
the owners box it's still a contrast of colors." Former
Eagles Owner Norman Braman "believes that for minority
ownership to occur, there will need to be more encouragement
from the leagues" ("NewsStand," CNN, 1/17).
