Concept Lab // Air Jordan 5 “Bobcats”

Now here’s an SBB 3 we can all get around!

March 17, 2010, was the day that Michael Jordan became the first former NBA player to become the majority owner of an NBA franchise. That team was the Charlotte Bobcats. The Hornets franchise had moved on to New Orleans in 2002, and just two years later, the NBA established the Charlotte Bobcats, which was regarded as a new expansion team at the time. Michael had a plan in place to take over the reins in Washington, but that never worked out, being fired from the Wizard front office in 2003.

MJ wasted no time in moving on, though, purchasing a minority stake in the newly formed, home-town Bobcats in 2006. He became the team’s second-largest shareholder behind majority owner Robert L. Johnson — and one step closer to owning his own franchise. A mere four years later, it was all his. On March 17TH, 2010, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved Jordan’s purchase, making him the first former player to become the majority owner of an NBA team. It also made him the league’s only African-American majority owner of an NBA team.

It’s an important landmark in the Jordan story — and barring the air Jordan 1 and Air Jordan 10, we’re yet to see a real focus put on the now-rebranded franchise colors. Today, we revisit that pivotal point in Michael’s post-playing career with the Air Jordan 5 “Bobcats” Concept, which draws inspiration from the franchise’s 2008 road uniforms, pictured further below on a young, braided Jared Dudley.

Wanna see more from the Lab? You can check out all of our Concepts HERE!

Air Jordan 5 “Bobcats”

From the HOUSE OF HEAT Concept Lab