Tuesday, July 20, 2004

Bobcats: It's Hot In Herre!!!

What is it with Charlotte and rappers?

Back in 1998, Percy Miller....better known to the masses as Master P.....joined the Charlotte Hornets summer leagues and got an invite to camp. 

Now it is 2004 and Master P is all but gone.  But, Nelly is here.  Nelly is now part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats.

That brings the ownership group to quite an eclectic mix.  The majority owner is Robert Johnson [the "Bob" in "Bobcats"] who made his money in media enterprises...maily BET.   Former Bank Of America CEO, and Mr. Charlotte, Hugh McColl is an owner.  Former Celtic ML Carr is an owner.  Felix Sabates of NASCAR fame is an owner.  Now, so is Nelly.

This ownership is huge in sports circles.  It is the first minority owned franchise in sports.  And having someone like Nelly as an owner....that should help to grab the younger demographic.  Ya know....selling merchandise.  He has also vowed to get involved in the Charlotte community.

But with the good....brings the bad.  Nelly has been the target of women's groups who feel his lyrics and videos degrade women.  And in the current NBA climate [read: Kobe's trial], that is something the league wants to stay away from. 

But if that gets smoothed out....then this should be a winning situation for everyone involved.  The Bobcats get another minority owner in the fold.  They will definitely get the opportunity to appeal to the younger masses [remember, P. Diddy was interested in buying the Knicks and Jay-Z was interesting in buying the Nets] and that is HUGE when trying to get respect and...pardon the old team's pun....the buzz to wear Bobcat gear.

                                         

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

rap sucks

Anonymous said...

Nelly talk, city listen. City talk, Nelly listen.

Anonymous said...

yeah - I imagine Nelly will be making some very brilliant decisions for the team..just look at his shabby lyrics...yep, rap sucks

Anonymous said...

still putting down blacks,"rock heads".see you @ starscape.peace&love.it's about basketball not rap,understand!.

Anonymous said...

give him a chance...he made his money through rap music not insider's trading

Anonymous said...


Regardless if rap sucks or not, it makes a allot of Young African Americans rich, and it's legal. Quit hating on Nelly.

Anonymous said...

Whats wrong with it?We should have more black owners with the money our race makes now their should have more of  just  like this one good looking BLACKMAN.

Anonymous said...

This is a very good thing for Nelly & minorities in general. It says that we don't have to be limited to one craft and being stereotyped as a result. Hopefully for Nelly this will challenge his business savy, therby making him an even better businessman!! - JB(901)

Anonymous said...

it's his money so stop hating on nelly and the young rich black generation

Anonymous said...

Now the white man calls P, "Master"

Anonymous said...

what are you people talking about. Nelly will definently bring fans to charlotte. Where there are fans there is money. When you have money you can pay your players, expand as a franchise, get better players, and get better coaches. with Nelly the bobcant have a better chance to make it big.

Anonymous said...

Its great n all for the bobcats n the charlotee people. Im gunna buy me a jersey now but come on do we want rappers being full time owners. Jay-Z and P. DIdy goin to own a team basketball rap and the african american race are already linked I say we get Eminem to own a team. Represent