Ownership is Rare Air for Blacks in Sports
I think Jordan’s problem has less to do with the team’s performance and more to do with race and lack of money. Michael is the only black dude in a fraternity of rich white billionaires. He has estimated worth of 500 million according to Forbes.com. A drop in the bucket compared to the aforementioned William Clay Ford who is great grandson of Henry Ford (Ford Motors) and the grandson of Harvey Firestone (Firestone Tire Company) or Paul Allen who is the co-founder of Microsoft and the owner of the Portland Trailblazers. Matter of fact if you combined Jay-Z estimated worth (450 million), who also happens to be a minority partner in the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets with Jordan estimated value; it still wouldn’t come close to most of the other sports owners.
Maybe that’s why New York Post writer Phil Mushnick wrote an unapologetic rant against Jay-Z, questioning his leadership abilities. Here is one of the quotes from that column: “Why the Brooklyn Nets when they can be the New York Niggers? The cheerleaders could be the Brooklyn Bitches or Hos. Team logo? A 9 mm with hollow-tip shell casings strewn beneath; Wanna be Jay-Z hip? Then go all the way!” Obviously this man has some issues, but unfortunately his sentiments are shared by more people than you would believe. And a lot of these people are in the media and places that shape public opinion. So when I hear criticism about Michael Jordan executive skills, I’m starting to believe it has less to do with distinguishing a bad owner from a good owner, but more of distinguishing a rich Black man from a wealthy white man.
This Article First Appeared in The Black Truth News Volume 3 Issue 5 May 2012