Perceptions Of Grandeur ………………

Perceptions Of Grandeur ……………..

I don’t know that I’d missed anything with the fact that Tiger Woods is the first athlete to have earned $1,000,000,000 over the course of their professional career. Journalists are simply making out as if Woods by his own feat has made this all so inspiring. If that accomplishment is so astounding . Then how is that what has been accomplished by such former athletes as Dave Bing and Magic Johnson aren’t acknowledged for their entrepreneurial endeavors ? Bing is a self made multi millionaire and whose business interests are very diverse. The NBA Hall of Famer and former Detroit Piston is still very much beloved in the Motor City. He’s now become a city politician as the Mayor of Detroit . And his company Bing Steel was the largest African American company of its kind in the United States, serving the auto and aeronautical industries . An associated company is involved in electro magnetic imaging . But that asides, we’re not made aware as to Bing’s accomplishment s beyond what already know of him as a former player in the NBA.

Woods seen here with his agent Mark Steinberg of IMG Worldwide Inc . The two walked the course at East Lake Golf Club which was home to the 2009 Tour Championship . picture appears courtesy of Getty Images North America / Scott Halleran ...........

As for Earvin Magic Johnson what else is there to say that hasn’t been already said about the former Laker ? Johnson through his Magic Johnson Enterprises , is as diverse a group of companies as one could ever wish to see. From publishing to restaurants to commercial real estate leasing construction , finance ,restaurants and the largest privately African American owned movie theater chain in the United States, along with the Starbucks coffee houses. Those companies combined had revenues of $1,000,000,000 in 2008 and 2009 respectively . And while we’re about it Johnson through his Magic Johnson Foundation has raised in excess of $200 million for aids research . And while we’re at it, in terms of activism we’ve seen little from Woods other than the fact of his self centered and self righteous attitude once it became public as to his extra marital affairs. Admittedly through his well crafted image conjured up by management company IMG Worldwide . Through his Tiger Woods Foundation , he’s crafted that ‘image’ , that he wants all to see but without ever really showing what he really is or has been really about ! Granted , the foundation has done a great deal for at risk children.

NBA legends Julius Erving (left) and Dave Bing speak during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Sports Legacy Symposium at FedEx Forum in Memphis. Erving and Bing received the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award at the event, which preceded a game between the Grizzlies and the Detroit Pistons. photo appears courtesy of Ebony Magazine/ Hakeem Thompson ..............

Now a great deal is made of the fact Woods may well be the richest athlete from the mere of the monies earned on the PGA Tour and his corporate endorsements. But if were to tell you that the former Laker Magic Johnson’s wealth would outstrip Woods’ then what would your answer be ? Johnson’s estimated worth is in excess of $700 million . And with Woods given his earning since his arrival on the PGA Tour we can assess at in the region of $500 million . But that asides this isn’t merely about wealth and the perceptions of grandeur that it brings.

Magic Johnson, shown attending the NBA All-Star Game last month, said Wednesday that never in his lifetime would he thought he'd see a 7-61 team like the Nets. photo appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Jed Jacobsohn ...................

Michael Jordan having now assumed control of the Charlotte Bobcats . He’s stated that the franchise will now become his sole focus . As the NBA’s newest franchise owner and only its second African American owner. It says a lot about the direction that the NBA is heading. With over 68% of the players within the NBA being of African American ethnicity . It’s somewhat fulfilling to now see a minority owner within the NBA. Unfortunately the same cannot be said in that regard concerning either MLB or the NFL with regard to there being an African American majority owner within either professional sports league. We do have the Los Angeles Angels’ Arte Moreno in baseball and that has been essentially it. But Moreno being Hispanic hardly constitutes the presence of there being an African American amongst the owners within MLB . In the NFL it has been solely Reggie Fowler as a minority partner in the Minnesota Vikings ownership group . And were you to ask either Commissioners Bud Selig or Roger Goodell as to the reasons why this hasn’t happened. I’d like to think that they’d have a response that we could all think of as being positive. But it appears that it has never really been something that either body would care to address publicly. And when one considers the number of African American players in both sports , I that somewhat astonishing !

Now for Jordan it his second chance to make a go of being an executive in the NBA. If we can remember Michael’s first stint wasn’t a memorable one as the general manager of the Washington Wizards. And it may well have all came asunder with Jordan’s asinine notion in taking an unproven rookie in Kwame Brown straight out of high school as the number one overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft and then thinking that an NBA title contender could be built around the player. That draft pick alone may well be one of the worst decisions ever made by an NBA executive. Extraordinarily enough , Jordan , himself, was the at the center of such a decision when he was overlooked only to see Sam Bowie taken ahead of him behind Hakeem Olajuwon as the number one in the 1984 NBA Draft. Bowie’s career shall we say essentially, was uninspiring ? Whereas Jordan’s is of ‘legendary status’ as a 6 time NBA champion , multiple ‘league MVP’ award winner and 14 time NBA All Star . Great accomplishments for the person whose often been described as the NBA’s greatest player.

Jordan seen here with Bobcats' head coach , Larry Brown . The two former Tar Heels are hoping to bring to make the franchise a perennial contender and amongst the 'elite' organizations competitively within the NBA. photo appears courtesy of Getty Images North America / Paul Buelle ..................

The Charlotte Bobcats as a franchise, is on track to lose $30 million for this fiscal year. In having purchased the franchise from his former partner Robert L Johnson for $275 million . Jordan also had to assume the debt amassed by the franchise which stood at $85 million. With there being diminishing attendance for Bobcats’ home games at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte , North Carolina. A lack of corporate sponsorship and little or no interests in the leasing or purchasing of executive suites. The business template now for Jordan is to now create a buzz about the franchise. And that can start with the present form of the team and the hope that they’re able to make it to the postseason for the first time as the Charlotte Bobcats. If that feat can be accomplished by the franchise , then it would go a long way in alleviating the problems at present for the organization .

The right people are there at present in terms of the franchise’s coaching staff and the front office executives. The coaching staff headed by Larry Brown and with the GM duties being handled by Rod Higgins . And one hopes that Michael is able to defer to them when it concerns many of the personnel decisions that have to be made. But at the same time Jordan’s valid input will be acknowledged and listened to. However, I’d like to think that judicious decisions will be made as to what’s best for the franchise as a whole . Given Michael’s track record the franchise could ill afford to have draft pick that sets the franchise back two or three years. Not when it’d place the franchise viability at risk and have the fans questioning the owner. And for NBA Commissioner David Stern will be the fact the game’s greatest player is now an NBA owner. It adds the attraction and will no doubt draw more fans to the Bobcats and the game if they know Michael Jordan is now once again involved the game whose stage he once magnificently graced.

Michael Jordan seen here in attendance with Robert L Johnson and rap star Nelly at a Bobcats’ game. photo appears courtesy of Associated Press/ Russell Martin …………

And for Bobcats’ fans this will not only create more of a buzz but also within the city and on a wider scale amongst the NBA fans at large . The broadcasters knowing full well that the game’s biggest draw is once again associated with the game will make it their duty to place the Charlotte Bobcats as part of their programming schedule . Wealth has its privileges, as does fame but nothing , simply nothing beats the attraction or notoriety of fame . And that in essence is the real perception of grandeur. Many crave but few really know how to attain it. Those that do, use it judiciously and wisely. And it is to their credit, when they do so. Others who don’t tend to find themselves in the public eye for all of the wrong reasons.

Alan Parkins aka tophatal aka thatmanal

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David Bowie ……….”Fame”

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