Reproduced with permission from Business Insider.
Michael Jordan is leading a group of 10-14 hard-line owners who will refuse to gave the players more than 50% of revenue, according to Howard Beck of the New York Times.
Jordan is the owner of the Charlotte Bobcats — one of the small-market franchises that have the most to lose if ownership makes concessions to the players.
The NYT is reporting that Jordan and his faction of hardliners could “undermine” that negotiating session that is planned for tomorrow in NYC.
“The hard-line owners wanted the players’ share capped at 47 percent. They are upset with the 50-50 proposal and intend to vote against it if the deal comes to fruition. A majority of the owners are believed to support a 50-50 deal, but they are reluctant to move any further.‘There’s no one who’s interested in going above 50 percent,’ said a person who has spoken with the owners.”
So if you’re counting at home, we have at least four factions at the table right now: Jordan’s group of owners, the Stern/Cuban group of owners, the Derek Fisher-led players, and the players who want to decertify.
Not good.
Ironically, the last time there was a lockout, Jordan told Wizards owner Abe Pollin that he should sell his team if he wasn’t able to make money.
