GW calls out Bob Johnson

[Saint J]

meanwhile the Hornets have the greatest PG in two decades and 49 wins.

[Plewis]

Bob is the best pro sports owner in the Carolinas. He actually gives a damn what his fans say and reacts accordingly.

...:svengo: I cannot believe someone with intimate knowledge about Charlotte-area sports would say that. It's just simply wrong.

[King Taharqa]

...:svengo: I cannot believe someone with intimate knowledge about Charlotte-area sports would say that. It's just simply wrong.

Its not that I think the Richardsons are bad owners. Cuz they arent, but Im not as high on them as many in the area are. I think they've made some mistakes that have hurt the franchise and I question whether they can take the franchise to the next level (sustaining success, building for the future, etc). I also think they listen less and have the least understanding of their fanbase than any sports team Ive ever rooted for.

[Kurb]

I also think they listen less and have the least understanding of their fanbase than any sports team Ive ever rooted for.

While I somewhat agree with this, the fact I would have to get NBA league pass to see Bobcat games on a regular basis while living IN NORTH CAROLINA tells me Johnson is still behind them a good bit.

I do think Johnson wants to win, but no more than any other squad in the Carolina's.

The Hurricanes are without a doubt, however, the best run franchise in NC.

[Vagrant]

Bob Johnson came into town and tried to turn Charlotte into another Atlanta. Let me preface this by saying that race isn't a factor for me until it's been obviously made a factor, but Johnson came in and marketed his product towards black people and black people alone. The games were on UPN, for crying out loud. The announcers, with the exception of Steve Martin, were all black. The dancers were almost all black. Nelly became a partial owner. Rap music was played almost exclusively at the arena. He hired a black head coach, hired black assistants, and surrounded himself with black people in his ownership group.

The whole process had such an urban feel to it that it turned off many white people because we kind of felt like we couldn't relate. I know that at least influenced my level of excitement about the franchise out of the gate. I felt like I was being intentionally excluded. That I didn't belong watching NBA basketball because I wasn't the right color. I can understand having pride in your race and not discriminating against black candidates, especially when you're such an influential black businessman, but reverse discrimination is no way to get that point across. I would imagine that partially explains the lack of corporate support around here. Everybody knew that Bobcats were being geared toward the black demographic and that limited the amount of visibility their product would get.

To an extent, the hiring of Larry Brown kind of turned that idea on its head. Brown being brought into the organization gave it league viability and as opposed to being an avenue for Bob Johnson to employ young aspiring black talent, it actually became a basketball franchise that was focused on winning basketball games. That is when they gained my respect back. As opposed to hiring coaches that were first time NBA coaches because of the color of their skin, they made the right choice for their basketball team.

I know its taboo to even discuss race, but I think the general outlook of how the Bobcats are viewed is changing for the better. They're becoming more friendly to all audiences and the people WILL start responding to this and coming back to the arena. The Hornets always did a brilliant job of making the arena feel like a family atmosphere and the Bobcats came into town making it feel like a rap video shoot. That caused so many to turn away from the team because they felt like it wasn't for them.

With that said, Bob Johnson has adjusted this approach to an extent and has started to operate this team like a real owner and hire the best and the brightest regardless of race. For that he gets major kudos. And you notice that the wins will increase and the attendance will increase as well as the experience becomes more inclusive for all fans.

[Cyclonus]

LMAO... Bob Johnson is the worst owner in the carolinas.... PERIOD! I'll bet he couldn't tell you the Bobcats win-loss record, or name the players on the team. I'll bet he knows all the horses at the jumper classic though.

[X-Clown]

SI doesn't agree with you King Taharqa...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/nba/05/08/nba.owners/index.html

[Go To Girl]

I also think they listen less and have the least understanding of their fanbase than any sports team Ive ever rooted for.

I think they realize they have a fanbase outside of just those who visit and post on message boards and they listen to those people as well much to the chagrin of those who post on message boards.

[King Taharqa]

Bob Johnson came into town and tried to turn Charlotte into another Atlanta. Let me preface this by saying that race isn't a factor for me until it's been obviously made a factor, but Johnson came in and marketed his product towards black people and black people alone. The games were on UPN, for crying out loud. The announcers, with the exception of Steve Martin, were all black. The dancers were almost all black. Nelly became a partial owner. Rap music was played almost exclusively at the arena. He hired a black head coach, hired black assistants, and surrounded himself with black people in his ownership group.

The whole process had such an urban feel to it that it turned off many white people because we kind of felt like we couldn't relate. I know that at least influenced my level of excitement about the franchise out of the gate. I felt like I was being intentionally excluded. That I didn't belong watching NBA basketball because I wasn't the right color. I can understand having pride in your race and not discriminating against black candidates, especially when you're such an influential black businessman, but reverse discrimination is no way to get that point across. I would imagine that partially explains the lack of corporate support around here. Everybody knew that Bobcats were being geared toward the black demographic and that limited the amount of visibility their product would get.

Sorry I missed this post. Didnt see it when you originally posted it. First off thank you so much for your honesty. Its hard to get people to speak honestly on this subject, so I appreciate that. With that said, I think you're waaay off with the "reverse discrimination" stuff, but I think it is true alot of white folks in this area felt that way. Black ownership is not prominent here and its something rather NEW. So people learning how to deal with that is a process. Had Bob Johnson set up a team in LA or DC or NY or another area that is culturally diverse and is used to minority ownership I dont think it would be such a big deal. But in Charlotte, NC it is, because there's just not alot of minorities and blacks who call shots in this town. And IMO that is not a coincidence.

Now as for what you said about his hiring processes, this is what I dont like. Why when Bob Johnson has a front office full of black people running the show does it offend people? Why does that alienate people? The Carolina Panthers have always had a front office full of whites, have never had a black head coach (Bob has hired a white one), they play 80s hair band rock music exclusively at the games, and are reluctant to put a black QB on their roster, should the black fans of the Panthers feel alienated? Should they even care? I think from day 1 Bob has hired and employed the people he felt could get the job done the best. And I would bet people would say the exact same thing about the Richardsons. So why the double standard?

[X-Clown]

Sorry I missed this post. Didnt see it when you originally posted it. First off thank you so much for your honesty. Its hard to get people to speak honestly on this subject, so I appreciate that. With that said, I think you're waaay off with the "reverse discrimination" stuff, but I think it is true alot of white folks in this area felt that way. Black ownership is not prominent here and its something rather NEW. So people learning how to deal with that is a process. Had Bob Johnson set up a team in LA or DC or NY or another area that is culturally diverse and is used to minority ownership I dont think it would be such a big deal. But in Charlotte, NC it is, because there's just not alot of minorities and blacks who call shots in this town. And IMO that is not a coincidence.

Now as for what you said about his hiring processes, this is what I dont like. Why when Bob Johnson has a front office full of black people running the show does it offend people? Why does that alienate people? The Carolina Panthers have always had a front office full of whites, have never had a black head coach (Bob has hired a white one), they play 80s hair band rock music exclusively at the games, and are reluctant to put a black QB on their roster, should the black fans of the Panthers feel alienated? Should they even care? I think from day 1 Bob has hired and employed the people he felt could get the job done the best. And I would bet people would say the exact same thing about the Richardsons. So why the double standard?

If we're going to be honest KT, can you admit that you're much harder on the Panthers front office than you are on the Bobcats'?

[King Taharqa]

If we're going to be honest KT, can you admit that you're much harder on the Panthers front office than you are on the Bobcats'?

Definitely. The Panthers have had more talent and opportunities for success than the Bobcats, yet they're still a sub .500 organization overall. They've also brought more scandal to this city than the Bobcats yet still enjoy more positive press. I think the Panthers having such a likeable owner locally has hurt them. If people stayed on the Richardsons like they do Bob Johnson we'd have had back to back winning seasons by now.

[Porn Shop Clerk]

So that 4 game road trip placed anywhere else on the schedule = playoffs?

I don't think so.

Nobody ever stops to think about how many products out there are marketed to white people. Like Nascar and Hockey. Nobody complains about the whites only sports. Just the ones where blacks are successful.

Fight in hockey? No problem.

Tony Stewart punches another driver? Its all good.

Mark McGuire shooting steriods? Who cares?

A fight during an NBA game? Those goddamn thugs!

The way I feel, nothing is marketed to me. I still enjoy what I enjoy, regardless of the package its wrapped in.

I come from a place that has no NFL team, no NBA team, hell the biggest thing for me back home is high school football games.

I wish more people around here had a greater appreciation for our sports franchises. We're sitting pretty good here in Charlotte.

[X-Clown]

Definitely. The Panthers have had more talent and opportunities for success than the Bobcats, yet they're still a sub .500 organization overall. They've also brought more scandal to this city than the Bobcats yet still enjoy more positive press. I think the Panthers having such a likeable owner locally has hurt them. If people stayed on the Richardsons like they do Bob Johnson we'd have had back to back winning seasons by now.

The Bobcats have not had one winnning season yet. Even playing in the East which has had playoff teams with records below .500, the Bobcats have not made the playoffs. The Bobcats have had numerous opportunities to build through the draft due to their horrible record and thus far it hasn't been fruitful. They have an owner who has deep pockets, and has been notoriously cheap. They've been more concerned with trying to market their team (UNC draft picks/Adam Morrison) then winning which is the best marketing of all. I just find it odd that I've NEVER seen you once criticize the Bobcats who are miles away from being a contender but think the Panthers front office is a "failure" if they don't win a Super Bowl this year. That's a double standard to me.

[Towelboy]

They've also brought more scandal to this city than the Bobcats yet still enjoy more positive press.

that has to do with the law of averages. the more players a team employees increases the risk of "scandal." the bobcats may have no more than 15 on their roster at one time as the panthers carry 53. that means a football team has 253% more players and can be argued that their chance of scandal also increases.

the fact remains: NFL is more popular than the NBA, MLB, MLS or NHL. the panthers came to town when the city needed a big name franchise in a big name sport. the hornets left town and left a bad taste in the mouths of charlotteans. the bobcats have a lot of damage control to do before they ever reach the fanfare the honets had and the panthers have. i argue that the bobcats and their ownership will never be as heralded as the panthers and their front office for those reasons.