Ex-Bobcats owner blasts Charlotte

if people don't think they need to change the name, read this. no way that fucking guy should be associated with this team.


Ex-Bobcats owner blasts Charlotte
Johnson calls the city's business community 'arrogant,' 'incestuous' in dealings with minorities.
By Cleve R. Wootson Jr.
[email protected]
Posted: Sunday, Mar. 21, 2010
Johnson

Days after selling the Charlotte Bobcats, Bob Johnson called Charlotte's business community "arrogant" and "incestuous" and said the city doesn't do enough for existing and potential minority-owned business.

Johnson, a self-made billionaire who started the Black Entertainment Television cable network and brought the Bobcats to Charlotte, made the remarks Saturday at the Urban Leadership Institute, a gathering of mostly black business people.

The group presented Johnson with an award moments before he spoke, though the crowd's reaction was mixed after he made his comments.

"Charlotte is a very, how would I call it, close-knit, arrogant, sometimes incestuous town.

"...It's close-knit, and if you come to this town, and you look like you're one of those people that might break some glass ... it's going to be tough for them to relate to.

"The thing that concerns me is that I'm just surprised that the city doesn't do more for African-American small businesses. And I don't really understand that."

But Mayor Anthony Foxx said later that the city's business climate toward minorities is improving.

"It's becoming increasingly clear that our city's leadership base is broadening,"Foxx said. "What used to be a small group of people leading a large population is now becoming a larger group of people leading even a larger population. Just by nature of the fact that there are more voices at the table. I think you'll see a lot of opportunities emerge."

Johnson has criticized Charlotte's business community before. Two years ago, in an interview with the Observer, he said Charlotte's business community wasn't doing enough to support the expansion team.

"I am absolutely concerned," Johnson told the Observer in April 2008. "I am doing everything I can to make this team work, including writing a lot of checks."

But some people in the community, including members of the City Council, have said he was not visible enough during his tenure as Bobcats owner. Support for the team lagged, the council members said, because of its poor record.

Johnson didn't speak with reporters after his remarks.

"I am surprised at the number of people ... that come to me looking for financial backing that they haven't been able to find in the business community," he said. "I'm surprised that there aren't more substantial alliances between larger white businesses and minority-owned businesses."

He said the owners of No Grease, a group of barber shops owned by the head of the Urban Business Network, had a well-run business and a good plan for growth, but weren't able to find funding.

He added that the onus to improve the climate was also on the black community. "I think what is needed is a little bit more aggressiveness on the part of the African-American community."

Foxx, who spoke to the crowd shortly before Johnson, cited a commission that is examining small business opportunities in Charlotte as evidence of progress.

"I haven't been in every meeting or every social situation or every board table that Bob Johnson's been to, so I can't speak to his experience, only he can," said Foxx. "I can't refute what someone else believes other than to state what I believe, and what I believe is this: this city is more than capable of being an embracing place for minority business owners."

Bob Morgan, president of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, said he did not want to talk about Johnson's comments, saying only that "I think Charlotte owes Bob Johnson a debt of gratitude for bringing the NBA back to Charlotte."



Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/20...ats-owner-blasts-charlotte.html#ixzz0ipvuo87t

 

They ought to change the name to the Charlotte Negroes. That should make everybody happy.

 

He did an awful job as an owner, and he was reclusive. I can't imagine why he didn't have more fans in the city. I'm sure it's just because he's black.

 

I can't believe Charlotte.com removed comments for this article, weak as shit.

As for Bob Johnson, did he think the city was being fucking stingy when it gave him an arena? This bitch needs to cry elsewhere.

I was never for changing the name (because I don't believe there are peole out there petty enough not to support the team JUST because of the name) but now the stench of Johnson needs to be washed away.

 

No kidding - I didn't click the link until you mentioned that - they welcome comments, and then when people say derogatory things about the asshole, they remove them because they're "abusive"?? Why even have the option for them? And the Observer wonders why people don't read them anymore.

 

naming a team after yourself isn't arrogant? bob needs to get a fucking clue. I swear I wouldn't care if they named the team the Charlotte Sting just to rid themselves from this clown. urkel looking ************.

you can catch some comments in the story about last nights game

 

Exactly. Fuck Bob Johnson. He came into Charlotte with his hand out looking for everything to be given to him. he spent little money on the team to improve the quality of the "team". How many professional teams make a boat load of money in the first place much less the first few years.

 

And for a black guy who made his fortune from Black Entertainment Television, the "incestuous" part is pretty laughable too. He has no one to blame but himself. If he had any character, he would just lick his wounds and move on gracefully.

I really don't give a crap about the team, but they obviously need to take a mulligan on the name.

 

I-F its avaiable, I would change the Bobcats name to the Cougars (in defference to the old ABA team) . . . . At this point, this would be the only team name change I could live with (no FLIGHT please!!!!!!!!!!!). Use the Green & Blue color scheme from 'back in the day' as well . .

http://www.remembertheaba.com/Carolina-Cougars.html

Bob Johnson will never get it, will he >:-( >:-( ? ? ? ? He continues to blame the local business community for the problems the Bobcats have had since they came to town vs. looking in the mirror at himself. He never made an effort to be cemented in the local community (he continued to live in DC) nor did he try t...o connect with local businsses to become sponsors and season tix holders. He just assumed the QC would just bow down before him and show up at TW Cable Arena to support the Bobcats since it was an obligation he felt. Also, If he felt that the local business community wasn't doing enough to support minority busniesses, why didn't he try to start a bank himself and help them out? I'm glad that he's no longer owner of the Bobcats !!!!!

 

I couldn`t have said it any better sds.

plus...
Bring back the Cougars.