Tribune News Services
Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin, who fired Michael Jordan in 2003, has died. He was 85.
Pollin, the NBA's longest-tenured owner, suffered from a rare brain disorder that impairs movement and balance. He had heart bypass surgery in 2005.
In 2000, Pollin hired Jordan as president of basketball operations for the Wizards. But the relationship soured and he dismissed him three years later, after Jordan ended a two-year playing career with the Wizards. Pollin later explained his decision in an interview with The Associated Press.
"It was an atmosphere on edge," Pollin said. "It was not a healthy atmosphere to produce a happy organization or a winning team. ... I knew that there would be some negative stuff thrown at me, but when I made my decision, I stuck to my decision. I wasn't going to change. I always do what I think is best for the franchise."
Pollin bemoaned the runaway salaries of free agency and said it would have been difficult for him to keep the Wizards if it weren't for the NBA's salary cap. His Washington-area sports empire began when he purchased the Baltimore Bullets in 1964. The Bullets, since renamed the Wizards, won the 1978 NBA title.
Abe Pollin shakes hands with Michael Jordan as he presented Jordan with a trophy that commemorated his 30, 000 point scoring milestone in 2002. (AP file)
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My condolences to his family.
The guy was quoted a number of times and seemed pretty proud of dumping Jordan once he was done as a ticket draw.
Given the relative lack of success the Wizards have had in the past 30 years, what else has he done that would have been of note outside DC?
Wow, what a pathetic headline. This man did so much for Basketball and that is what you come up with...please. PATHETIC.
This is disgusting. Pollin did so much for D.C., but in Chicago, all you can say about him is that he "fired Michael Jordan"? Look outside the Chicago city limits for a change and show some respect. Or just grow up.
Is that Tim Donaghy in the background over Pollin's shoulder? Maybe he's calculating the odds for how long MJ would be with the Wiz.
Was it necessary bringing mj's name into this.