NBA board approves sale of Bobcats to Jordan

Basketball Betting Lines

03/17/2010 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NBA Board of Governors made it official on Wednesday by unanimously approving Michael Jordan's acquisition of a controlling interest of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Jordan and MJ Basketball Holdings, LLC reached an agreement to purchase the majority of the team from Bobcats owner Bob Johnson in late February, but was awaiting official approval by the league.

"We are pleased that Michael Jordan's purchase of majority ownership of the Bobcats was approved by the NBA's Board of Governors and closed in such a smooth and expeditious fashion," said NBA commissioner David Stern. "We look forward to the continued growth of the Bobcats, on and off the court, under his leadership."

Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, became the first black American to be the principal owner of a North American major-league sports franchise when Charlotte began play in 2004.

Jordan joined the Bobcats ownership group in June 2006 and served as the team's managing member of basketball operations, the same position he held with the Washington Wizards earlier in the decade.

As a five-time league MVP, six-time champion and two-time gold medal winner, Jordan has few rivals in regards to his game on the court.

The North Carolina native's stints in the front office, however, have come under some scrutiny.

First was the tumultuous 2003 split with the Wizards after 3 1/2 unsuccessful years with the organization as president of basketball operations, a position he held while he was finishing up his playing days.

Now in Charlotte, Jordan has rarely been seen at team practices or games despite calling the shots on all personnel transactions.

His most notable move thus far was luring fellow Hall-of-Famer, and North Carolina alum, Larry Brown to coach the team at the start of the 2008-09 season.

The Bobcats have never made the playoffs, but, entering Wednesday, sit in the sixth position in the Eastern Conference race with a 34-32 record this season.

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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