Was the first Black-owned team...

...an enormous failure? From naming the team after himself to the disastrous TV deal that was made. Those ugly colors they have. No connection at all with Charlotte basketball fans. The Bobcats should be on 5th Avenue. We gave them a new arena. For free. They get all monies from that arena when the circus, or U-2, or the Rolling Stones, or whoever plays there. All concessions, too. The Panthers and NASCAR had to pay for their venues. And they make money. Johnson says he's lost 50 million in 4 years with a free arena plus money from outside events. Now he's begging the local companies to renew their 3 year deals on premium seats. IMHO, the Charlotte Bobcats are one of the most mismanaged businesses in the the world. Johnson needs to sell to a competent businessman (Bruton Smith) and get out of the business or he WILL face serious losses. He does not know what he's doing.

 

I'd like to think I am not racial minded but I have been to 5 games there and have yet to see the first white usher, ticker taker, ticket salesperson, food server anyone. I am all for helping folks in need but damn man lighten up on the agenda.

Oh and he has no idea what to do as an owner. The GM sucks and he hasn't had a coach worth a fuck yet.

 

I've been to games and noticed that too. It's his team and he hires who he wants, I guess. It appears racist, but that's not what bothers me. The team has been grossly mismanaged since Day One. If he wants to hire all blacks, that's fine. Just get some that have some fucking sense instead of blaming the Charlotte business community for the team losing money when you have the best arena deal around and one of the lowest payrolls. If he doesn't do something soon, this will be a huge failure. And someone else will have to pick up the pieces.

 

The NBA awarded him the team over the Larry Bird group using the same affirmative action type reasoning so it only makes sense that he do the same. The only problem is that customers are not going to give him that benefit. Black people do not want to see a crappy team get thrashed just because it is owned by a black man.

With all that being said all he has to do is go pay the money necessary to get a top head coach and they will start winning and garner a lot more fan interest. Bernie did a good job with building the talent base and Jordan's move to get Richardson and Mohamed were solid. They just need a coach who can use the talent properly rather than force a journeyman point guard into the starting line up.

 

FYI-I think the Denver Nuggets in the late 80s/early 90's were owned by group of black guys . . . I can't remember their names or what business they were in. Just so you know . . .


Well, if Bob Johnson continues to feel that its more important to hire by skin color and name attraction, then this team will never succeed on the court . . . I am really starting to question his business acumen in running an NBA team (ie, look at the high turnover in his sales dept., letting many executives go, etc.). Unless he turns this thing around in the next couple of years, I see him selling the team even if he has to take a huge loss.

 

They appear to be being run poorly but who gives a shit what color the ushers are? I've been to one game and specifically remember our usher being a white lady.

 

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/32/biz_07nba_Charlotte-Bobcats_322435.html

This shows the Bobcats having a profit for the 05, 06, and 07 years. Except for his disastrous TV dealings and having to give away his naming rights as a result, where's the 50 million in losses? That's his fault, not Charlotte's. I'm hoping this clown will hurry up and sale the team to someone local with some sense. This ain't cutting it.

 

For what it's worth, from seasons 1 through 3, the Bobcats were the most successful expansion team in several decades.

 

It takes money to make money. Bob Johnson needs to hire a real coach the players would want to play for and jump into the free agency market with an open wallet. Winning teams increases asses in the seats

 

HOw many white people apply for an usher job at Bobcats Arena? Although, I would love to see that payroll. I brought my dad to see the Celtics beat down the Bobcats with their second string three weeks ago, and he didn't say anything about the color of the ushers, just how freaking many.