The news around the sale of the Charlotte Hornets has been floating around for a long time. However, it seems like the deal is done around this time. With several interested buyers lining up for the multi-billion dollar franchise, it has landed in the hands of a team, including the millionaire rapper Jermaine Lamarr Cole.
Reportedly, the sale of Michael Jordan‘s team has been finalized at a whopping $3 billion. But there could be more to the story than what meets the eye. On paper, it looks like just another deal, however, there also exists a hint of redemption. This is further solidified by the involvement of rapper J Cole.
The J Cole redemption angle in Michael Jordan’s franchise sale
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The much-awaited Hornets sale is finally done. Jordan has sold his majority stake in the franchise, although several reports suggest that he will still keep a minority stake and look over the operations for some time. Despite his 13-year-long stint filled with failures with the Hornets, the 6x NBA champion made a lot of profit from this sale. His Airness bought the team back in 2010 for $275 million and the team’s recent valuation is at a whopping $3 billion. The already wealthy Jordan will be adding another mammoth sum to his net worth with this multi-billion dollar deal.
However, there is one more angle to this deal as well, the J Cole redemption angle. Caleb Martin was with the Hornets from 2019 to 2021, then he was waived by them. After being left in a draught by the Hornets, Martin was looking for a landing stop and that is where the Young Simba came in. Cole helped Martin get a spot in the Miami Heat, an act which was highly appreciated by the netizens. So now, Cole buying out the same franchise could possibly mean that he has taken redemption for his friend. As per several reports, Cole is a part of the group that is acquiring the Hornets.
J. Cole is part of the group buying the Hornets, per @JeffZillgitt pic.twitter.com/jxvyIHIbhR
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 16, 2023
According to Jeff Zillgitt, “J. Cole is part of the group buying the Hornets.”
J Cole’s Charlotte connection and the Martin deal
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The 38-year-old Grammy Award-winning rapper is a proud native of North Carolina. He often says it with his chest and wears the Fayetteville badge with pride. The 2014 Forest Hills Drive rapper’s interest in acquiring a stake in the Hornets could be a result of his deep-rooted NC love.
Moreover, he stepped up to the occasion for Martin and helped him sign with the Heat. Cole’s word of advice in favor of Martin, to the Heat assistant coach Caron Butler, did the trick.
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Additionally, Cole has played professional basketball as well. He was a shooting guard for the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the Canadian Basketball League.
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