Michael Jordan remains widely respected in the NBA world even after almost two decades post his retirement. NBA fans, former rivals, current NBA players, franchise owners, and even league executives have all expressed respect for Jordan. He earned widespread respect for his achievements with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan once admonished a former NBA player for disrespecting him.

NBA legend Charles Barkley once criticized Michael Jordan for his role as an NBA franchise owner of the Charlotte Hornets. Barkley revealed Jordan became incensed when he heard of Barkley criticizing his role and called him up to voice his dissatisfaction. He asserted he still loved Jordan, but it would not prevent him from criticizing him.

Barkley said, “Remember the time when I came on a show and said I can’t guarantee you that Michael is going to be a good GM. Michael called me and almost killed me, man! I can’t tell you. It wasn’t positive. Let me say this: Michael is one of my best friends. I love him like a brother.”

He further said, “I do have to do my job. Like I told him, I can’t get on radio and TV and say you have done a good job no matter how much I love you. He was not happy.”

Jordan became part owner of the Hornets in 2006.

Barkley played with Jordan on the 1992 Olympics ‘Dream Team’. He once advised Jordan to not pick Adam Morrison in the 2006 draft. However, Jordan went ahead with the move.

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Michael Jordan as owner of the Charlotte Hornets

Jordan has maintained his tradition of succeeding. One of Jordan’s many investments was when he acquired the Charlotte Bobcats on March 17, 2010. He strengthened his ownership stake in the Hornets in a move that aided him towards billionaire status.

Under Jordan’s ownership, the franchise changed its name to the Charlotte Hornets in 2014. The majority ownership stake in the Hornets resulted in Jordan being the NBA’s only African-American majority owner. It also made Jordan the first former player to turn into the majority owner of an NBA team.

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