MJ may buy in as partner with new team

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Michael Jordan is interested in a possible role with the Charlotte expansion team and has talked recently with owner Robert Johnson about buying in as a partner, The Associated Press has learned.
Johnson and Jordan have a publicly acknowledged friendship and have spoken frequently in recent years.
But talks between the two men over the past three weeks have been different, including preliminary discussions over doing business together on the team Johnson bought last December for $300 million.
"He and Bob have been talking," a source with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
"A deal isn't close. It's just the beginning of the discussion," said the source, who indicated that possible stumbling blocks could be the amount of control Jordan would want and the purchase price. "It isn't going to be a freebie," the source added.
The as-yet-unnamed team will begin play in the 2004-05 season.
The news of Jordan's possible involvement in Charlotte comes amid reports that his relationship with the Washington Wizards has deteriorated to the point where he and the franchise might part ways.
Jordan is expected to meet with Wizards majority owner Abe Pollin this week to discuss his future role with the team.
Jordan's talks with Johnson indicate that he is looking for alternative ventures that will keep him in the NBA -- even if it isn't in Washington. Jordan has ties to the area, having grown up in Wilmington, N.C., before playing for Dean Smith at North Carolina.