Jordan is interested in joining the Heat as a part owner of the team, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune.
The newspaper, citing a source "with knowledge of the situation," said Sunday that Jordan is in discussions with the Heat; which clearly satisfies commissioner David Stern, who has been trying to get Jordan back into the league ever since his failed bid to buy the Milwaukee Bucks last year.
Jordan wants to return to the league, but he does not want to be in a position where he could be fired like he was by the Washington Wizards.
The story does not say what percentage of the team MJ wants to own, or how much say he might have in running the team.
However, it appears the Heat has interest in Jordan because he could help attract free agents to the team. But the presence of Shaq could certainly help do that too.
The story also speculates about the future of the Heat in Miami, noting that the franchise has historically struggled to draw fans and is always one of the few teams that are discussed when it comes to relocation.
According to the Tribune, the packaging of Jordan the owner and O'Neal the franchise player could be the first step behind putting together an ownership group that would move the team to Las Vegas.
While NBA commissioner David Stern has previously rejected talk of putting a team in the gambling capital of the United States, it's difficult to ignore the city's status as the fastest-growing metropolis in the country and it appears inevitable that a major sports league will move there before too long.
