Michael Jordan has been slammed for failing in ownership and other aspects of his life and career as sports personality Colin Cowherd accused the ‘selfish’ Chicago Bulls icon of failing without Scottie Pippen and coach Phil Jackson.
On Thursday, reports emerged claiming Jordan is seriously considering selling his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets, the NBA franchise he's owned since 2006. With his tenure as the lead owner - the six-time NBA champion could still retain a minority stake - seemingly coming to an end, it is difficult to look past the lack of success the Hornets have endured.
During his 17-year ownership, the Hornets have secured a winning record on just four occasions. The franchise reached the postseason three times, losing in the first round each time.
Fox Sports presenter and personality Cowherd believes Jordan’s ownership has been an utter failure - and he threw in other examples where the 60-year-old hasn’t tasted success outside of his historic run with the Bulls.
Speaking on his Volume podcast, the outspoken Cowherd said: “He tried baseball, he failed. He tried ownership, he was awful. He tried the Wizards, it bombed.
“Everybody understand: take out Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson - this whole Michael Jordan mythology is sort of just that.”
He added: “He’s arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. Michael was always a bit of a selfish player - he’s a bit of a selfish guy - and he’s not great at building community. He’s great at building wealth for Michael Jordan. That’s fine. It’s not a criticism. It’s a reality of who Michael is.”
Jordan’s legacy will forever be tied to Pippen, his Bulls partner-in-crime, and Jackson, the iconic head coach who masterminded perhaps the NBA’s greatest dynasty. However, to suggest that the consensus greatest-ever player’s legacy is only carried by Pippen and Jackson feels rather insincere.
His career in baseball was short-lived, although he never made it to Major League Baseball as he notched 88 hits, three home runs and 51 RBIs in the minor leagues. Jordan’s expectations were likely higher too given his famous career on the basketball court.
The criticism of the Wizards is also interesting; while the franchise missed the playoffs of both years in Washington, he was twice named to the All-Star Game while averaging over 20 points per game in each season.
Jordan purchased his stakes in the Hornets in 2010 for $175million and controlled 97 percent of the team before selling a chunk of it to two investors in 2019. The franchise is now worth almost $2billion. According to ESPN, Jordan is in serious talks to cash in on his majority stake with a group led by Hornets minority owner Gabe Plotkin and Atlanta Hawks minority owner Rick Schnall reportedly keen.
Ultimately, the Hornets are struggling with a 22-49 record. They sit 14th in the Eastern Conference, and face the Indiana Pacers in their next contest on Monday.
