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April 14, 2008
Johnson takes unusual approach
Bobcats majority owner Bob Johnson showed up at the Observer newsroom Monday, looking for support on a rather bold suggestion:
That Charlotte’s business community hasn’t done enough to ensure the financial success of the local NBA team.
Wow. This isn’t biting the hand that feeds you. This is gnawing on the fingers.
I wasn’t at Johnson’s appearance in the newsroom. I’d been told he wouldn’t address basketball issues, so I thought my presence might be counter-productive. But had I been there, I would have asked the following question:
You know any other business in Charlotte that got a $265 million home office from the taxpayers?
I’m not saying the arena was a bad thing. Quite the opposite. The anti-arena/anti-development folk who’d be fine with Charlotte becoming Mayberry again never got it that the Charlotte Coliseum wasn’t going to work going forward. This was the last/best chance to find a partner to share the cost of operation for valuable infrastructure.
However, I’ve never found Johnson gracious in receiving the deal the NBA negotiated with the city. And he’s never been realistic about the challenge convincing this town – not the politicians, the average folk – that turning out for games is great use of their entertainment dollars.
I know this from personal experience. Bob has berated me more than once for suggesting how tough it will be to overcome the town’s ambivalence toward replacing the Hornets. These people vote with their wallets all the time. You think it’s a coincidence the Bobcats are in the bottom third of the league in attendance?
Bob seems finally to realize he has problems. I just don’t know if he has the humility to understand this isn’t somebody else’s problem. Unless that changes, little else will.
Posted by Observer Sports on April 14, 2008 at 09:58 PM | Permalink
Comments
smells like shinn all over again...
Posted by: gchan | Apr 14, 2008 10:38:21 PM
Bottom third? Try bottom fifth...but hey, RobertCat's more interested in politics and other things going on in DC than anything to do with Charlotte, NC, including that team the NBA so foolishly gave to him.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Apr 14, 2008 11:17:55 PM
Let me get this straight: all blacks have been held back, mistreated not given opportunity and deserve a chance to excel. All this applies to blacks except for Barack Obama...the black guy Bob is working hard to beat down in favor of his sugar mama, Hillary. Explain to me again how the Black Entertainment TV guy doesn't want the black candidate to be president?
Posted by: Rolando Smith | Apr 14, 2008 11:21:52 PM
Fk this guy.
Show you actually care about winning games instead of how many $7.25 beers you sell and put a good product on the court. Then you'll see more people show up despite the fact that they hate everything about you Bob cat Johnson.
Posted by: Ed | Apr 15, 2008 7:13:27 AM
I am a 4 year Club Seat Owner at the Bobcats and am appauled on Mr Johnsons comments. Absentee owner and he decides to poke the business community in the eye with a sharp stick? If I recall correctly he went around BoA's back to secure replacement financing in the Bcats 2nd year. They stopped encouraging their folks from attending the game. Johnson then replaces that debt with new BoA debt. And now he wants them along with the rest of the biz leaders to belly up some more? Does he not realize how much communication goes on in this town amoungst its business elite? Either Mr Johnson is an excessively bold and audacious man or he is surrounded by baffoons that should be counciling him how to communicate and do business in this town. I lean towards the latter.
Mr Johnson doesnt realize that Charlotte is not an easy town to do business in. It has its own unique ways that include giving back to the community without expecting something in return. He doesnt realize that "airing your dirty laundrey" about your losses on a privately held company are viewed as "impolite" not to mention "bush league". Overindulging his heritage with under performing minorities that , at least at the concessions, could barely speak english. One server actually asked me early this season in the Club area if I could tell him "how much change do I owe you?"...ostensibly because he had difficulties counting. This is not Charlotte's idea of diversity. Charlotte carries a proud southern heritage and conducts itself , at least publically, in ways that demonstarte the success of upbringing, faith and community. As a northern transplant of over 25 years, doing business in Charlotte is not like anything in New York, Chicago, LA or Washington. And frankly, we're pretty proud of that.
Then to cap the interview off with him saying that Jordan would likely need to "be paid" to do anything "non b'ball operations related" may be the straw that broke the camels back. If this is even remotely true, how can Mr Johnson have the audacity to expect more from the business community when he can't even get his "$10 million owner to do something that would improve the profit statement without getting paid to do it.
I never expected to say this, but todays interviews now encourages me to not renew my Club Seat contratcs and give Mr Johnson a real feel for what Charlotte means when you get "grinned to death".
Posted by: mike | Apr 15, 2008 11:14:37 AM
Yeah it seems the guy has no business savvy whatsoever. I can't say that I have any idea what it is like trying to manage a fortune as large as his, but regardless of that, I get the feeling I could do a better job.
Posted by: kelz | Apr 15, 2008 12:58:00 PM
This is all a perfect example of the grass not always being greener on the other side. As whacked out of their minds as Shinn and Wooldridge were, they knew how to run a team. I currently can't help but cringe when I see what is taking place out in Seattle. There is yet another scoundrel NBA owner in Clay Bennett and he plans on taking the team to OKC, claiming he made a "good-faith effort". All while the NBA promises a new franchise after the Sonics leave. If the city of Seattle has any sense they will fight this from every angle with every ounce they have.
Posted by: mountaineerdynAsty | Apr 15, 2008 1:32:06 PM
As a season ticket holder, I find Mr. Johnson’s comment about the business community to be false. I can’t speak on his savvy and knowledge. I do know if you CARE about winning and you CARE about the fans the buy tickets to the games and watch on TV you wouldn’t take this kind of approach. If you get the city buzzing about your team then the business community will follow. Do you think this will make anyone in the business community want to help you out? These comments turn people off to this team. You don’t see the Panthers having this problem, they may not win all the time but no one will question Mr. Richardson’s commitment to try to put a WINNING TEAM on the field.
Posted by: William L. | Apr 15, 2008 2:08:45 PM
put a product on the court
Posted by: Kevin | Apr 15, 2008 3:25:34 PM
Bob is scum and should run back to DC. He can take Michael and his piss-boy Whitfield with him. Those three are the biggest joke.
Posted by: Linger | Apr 15, 2008 3:27:22 PM
Linger - It is the BLACK CATS. Bob Johnson, Michael Jordan, Fred Whitfield, Bernie Bickerstaff, Rod Higgins, Sam Vincent, Jared Bartie. If you are not black, you will not make it. Just look at the ratio of people who are fired and hired.
This team and Charlotte do not fit.
Posted by: Richard K. | Apr 15, 2008 3:37:27 PM
Hey Richard brother, proudly add the last to "K's" to your last name!
Posted by: Grand Wizard | Apr 15, 2008 3:46:42 PM
anyone else going to the forum with Bob cat Johnson tomorrow @ 6 before the game? Should be interesting...if he actually shows. Doubt it. They'll probably put Dell Curry up there and let people ask about Davidson basketball for 30 min.
Posted by: Timbo | Apr 15, 2008 7:09:18 PM
Timbo, think Davidson could take the Bobbies?
Posted by: Wally Myers | Apr 15, 2008 7:55:19 PM
I've been a lower-bowl season ticket holder from the Bobcat's inception. I was stunned at what was in today's Observer - the "owner" throwing the city, and therefore the fans, under the bus. He has no sense of accountability. The 1st year atmosphere at the old arena was not suited to this city. Then there was the C-SET failure that required Stern's intervention and was not resolved until 2 weeks ago. Then there was the doubling of ticket prices between the move from the old arena to the new. The "owner" sits in front of me at the games he elects to attend, stays til halftime (maybe), and never claps or seems into the game. Why did he buy this team? Then he has the nerve to say Jordan doesn't promote the team because he would expect to be paid extra? If I told my firm that, I'd be out the door the next day - and not voluntarily. Stern better intervene now - because I'm a loyal fan and I'm pissed off. This guy's modus operandi is to blame somebody else - rather than look in the mirror and see the real problem.
Posted by: jiff65 | Apr 15, 2008 9:44:18 PM
Jordan is trying to convince Johnson to move the team anyway. Jordan never wanted to come to Charlotte in the first place because of the city. Now his next move is to try and relocate them. Someone tell Jordan he sucks as a businessman. GET RID OF HIM BOB!!!!
Posted by: Ron | Apr 15, 2008 9:53:34 PM
Wow. Just watched the Bobs blow a 17 point halftime lead and lose in OT. Rough.
Posted by: Timbo | Apr 15, 2008 10:16:15 PM
Also meant to mention I'm an Obama supporter - and what Johnson has been saying about Obama is very alienating. Johnson should be putting the team first and keeping his political opinions to himself.
Posted by: jiff65 | Apr 15, 2008 10:52:52 PM
Hey, Timbo...good thing Gerald Wallace didn't play, huh? Thank goodness Raymond Felton and our "shooters" lineup are so "good down the stretch."
Posted by: Michael Procton | Apr 15, 2008 10:53:13 PM
Procton, do you really want to start this again? Get off my jock bro, I'm starting to think you are obsessed with me. I haven't even acknowledged you in this blog, come on dude.
I would like you to show me where at any point I said I liked Raymond Felton at point guard, shooting guard, or any other position on this team. Shut the F up and quit bothering me, they would have lost by 20 in regulation if G-Hurt drug his lazy ass off the bench and tried to play. But if he did that, he would risk getting more sore and that would suck. He has no more motivation than big fat Sean May. I think its hilarious you think Gerald Wallace isolation plays are better than team basketball? Glad to see you and Vincent are on the same page. You are probably one of those douche bags that thinks Lebron James is boring to watch because he passes too much.
Posted by: Timbo | Apr 15, 2008 11:10:45 PM
I loved it when they signed Gerald Wallace before this year, but he's done nothing to impress me this year and I think he's bad for team chemistry. He plays a few games, then gets hurt and the team gets on a roll, then he comes back and kills all of it.
When he has the ball everyone just kind of stands around and watches him because he is a black hole, he is either going to shoot or turn it over.
What would his trade value be right now? Any chance we would trade him this offseason for a center or point guard?
Posted by: HTK | Apr 15, 2008 11:21:10 PM
Charlotte has an NBA team?
Hell, when did this happen?
Whats up with Zo, LJ and Tripucka's perm?
Let the rich man keep showing black women shaking their ass on tv and, hope he continues to make millions.
The NFL draft is right around the corner, time for a real sport.
Posted by: Red | Apr 16, 2008 12:31:19 AM
Mr.Johnson seems as limited in NBA ownership skill as he is in 21st century political acumen. Charlotte deserves better. Hopefully he sells the team to MJ or someone else.
Posted by: Brick | Apr 16, 2008 1:18:31 AM
Yeah, because changing to a DIFFERENT owner who is never at games, doesn't care about the team or the city it's in, doesn't know how to run a team, and expects to be paid for appearances is absolutely the answer, Brick!
Posted by: Michael Procton | Apr 16, 2008 2:19:22 AM
They really should have awarded the team to me when they had the chance.
Posted by: Larry Bird | Apr 16, 2008 7:33:26 AM
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