Scheer conceived the ABA's first-ever dunk contest in '76 with the help from a few staffersGETTY IMAGES
CARL SCHEER, the first Hornets GM and the "inventor of the slam-dunk contest," died from "complications related to his dementia" on Friday at 82 years old, according to Scott Fowler of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Scheer was one of the "primary authors" of the Hornets' inaugural season in '88-89. He and then-Hornets Owner GEORGE SHINN had a "financial falling out after that first season," and Scheer "ultimately left" to become Nuggets GM for the second time. Decades later, MICHAEL JORDAN and Hornets President FRED WHITFIELD brought Sheer "back for a second stint" with the team. The American Basketball Association's "first-ever dunk contest" in '76 was "conceived by Scheer with the help of a few other staffers and then put into practice by Scheer" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/14).
HEALING HAND: In Charlotte, Erik Spanberg wrote Scheer "played a pivotal role making Charlotte a major league sports city." Jordan in '10 bought majority interest in the Bobcats, and then-NBA Commissioner DAVID STERN "recommended to Jordan that he hire Scheer as an adviser." At that time, the Bobcats were "reeling from years of mismanagement" by former Owner BOB JOHNSON, as they were a "disaster on and off the court." Jordan took Stern's advice, and that is how then-Hornets Exec VP & COO PETE GUELLI (now an NFL Giants exec) "found himself in the unusual position of supervising the man who created the Slam Dunk Contest." To "generate goodwill for a franchise sorely lacking in that department," Whitfield and Guelli sent Scheer to "speak with civic groups and businesses and others, knowing the presence of the top executive from the original Hornets' glory years would bring bonhomie" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/15).
