NEW YORK, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Robert Johnson, the billionaire founder of Black Entertainment Television, has been awarded the new NBA franchise in Charlotte, N.C., the league announced Wednesday.
The Charlotte team will compete beginning in 2004, with the city's new arena opening the following year.
Johnson was chosen over Boston businessman Steve Belkin, the managing partner of Larry Bird's group. Both groups made presentations this week to the NBA's expansion committee.
"This is a terrific honor ...," Johnson said at a news conference in New York. ... I'm looking forward to bringing a team that will be competitive on the court and a credit to the community off the court."
Johnson became the first black majority owner of a major league team.
Bird, the Boston Celtics star who went on to be an NBA coach, said in a prepared statement: "I am heartbroken. It is hard to realize that the dream I have had for so many years is not to be, and that an awesome opportunity, which would have been the greatest and most exciting challenge in my life, will not come to pass."
Bertram Lee and Peter Bynoe had been thought to be the NBA's first black ownership group when they purchased the Denver Nuggets in 1989, but later it was learned that Comstat Video actually owned 60 percent of the team.
Both Johnson and the league downplayed his ethnicity.
"What I brought to the table was my ability to identify talented people and businesses -- how to take a vision and make it happen," Johnson said. "The fact that I do this and stand before you as an African-American lets me know you should look at people as they are. The issue of adversity was important, but in no way was the determining factor of this candidate."
"Bob Johnson deserves to get this job because of who he is, not what he is," said Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, who chairs the NBA's expansion committee.
Johnson said he has made no decisions about a coach or general manager, and will not automatically turn to minority candidates.
"I'm going to select the best candidates for the job -- red, yellow, black, or white," Johnson said.
During his presentation to the committee, Johnson emphasized his business sense, noting that he turned a $15,000 loan into a $3 billion enterprise at BET.
"Bob's been trying to get a team," said Michael Jordan, who tried purchasing part of the Hornets before his involvement with the Washington Wizards. "He loves the game of basketball. (Charlotte) is a great environment for basketball. I think Bob's going to do well. He has the first thing you need as an owner -- the love the of the game."
