| Robert L. Johnson
Founder and CEO, Black Entertainment Television and
The RLJ Companies
Monday, Jan. 6, 2003; 11:20 a.m. ET Last month Robert Johnson was awarded an NBA expansion franchise to play in Charlotte and will become the first black majority owner in the four major U.S. professional sports leagues, pending approval by the NBA's board of governors this month. Johnson's group will pay nearly $300 million for a team to begin play in the 2004-05 season. And he says the NBA decision will not affect his plans to bring Major League Baseball to Washington after a 32-year absence by making a bid for the Montreal Expos. Johnson was online Monday, Jan. 6 at 11 a.m. ET, to discuss the NBA acquisition and the latest news about the prospects for baseball coming back to Washington. Black Entertainment Television (BET) is the leading African American-operated media and entertainment company in the U.S. In 2000, Johnson sold BET to Viacom for approximately $3 billion and signed a multi-year contract to continue to serve as chief executive officer. He then formed The RLJ Companies, with holdings in real estate investment, restaurants, BET Soundstage, a recording company and magazine publishing. A transcript follows. Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Washingotn, D.C.: Mr. Johnson, as the first black majority owner in U.S. professional sports, what do you consider your mission? Robert L. Johnson: My mission is to create a competitive, hopefully winning, championship team for the fans in Charlotte to help enhance the NBA as a sports league and to personally have some fun running an NBA franchise.
Washington, D.C.: With the growing number of on and off court problems in the NBA today, how would you address these issues on your time? Robert L. Johnson: I think the head of basketball operations and the coach have to select the kind of players who will be a credit to the team on the court and off the court. We need to encourage these young men to be responsible, professional athletes as well as we need to be there to help them with personal issues that they might have the best that we can. And when necessary, we have to let the players know that we simply won't tolerate in our organization, inappropriate behavior.
Charlotte, N.C.: Are you still seeking ideas for naming the new NBA team in Charlotte? If so, where should we submit these? Robert L. Johnson: Yes, I am seeking names and you could submit them to the Charlotte Sports Commission.
Silver Spring, Md.: Are there enough fans in Charlotte to support a team? Are there enough corporations willing to spend big money to get luxury suites? I thought these two reasons were why the Hornets moved out (in addition to not getting a new arena). Robert L. Johnson: Yes, there are more than enough corporations to support the team and as far as the fans, for eight years Charlotte led the NBA in attendance. So there's tremendous fan support.
N. Potomac, Md.: Whom will you hire to run the new NBA team? What is your time table for that hire? Robert L. Johnson: That announcement will be made in Charlotte tomorrow at 11 a.m.
Ashburn, Va.: You've mentioned on several occassions that to guarantee the success of these projects that you will need to hire good people. What is the best way for a highly skilled person to join and assist your team in bringing baseball to Washington, jumpstarting the Charlotte basketball franchise, or any other ventures that you are involved in? Robert L. Johnson: You would send your resume to the attention of Ms. Naomi Travers, c/o RLJ Companies at 1235 W St., NE, Washington, D.C. 20016.
Rosslyn, Va.: Good morning Mr. Johnson. My question concerns your interest in purchasing the Montreal Expos and moving them to Washington, DC. As an extremely successful businessman, why would you want to buy into an industry that is run so inefficiently/ineffectively? Robert L. Johnson: I believe that baseball could be successful in the Washington region for the following reasons: Washington is a strong TV market. It has one of the highest per capita incomes in the country. There is strong support among fans for a baseball in the Washington region. And there's a strong possibility of creating a regional sports network that would generate more TV revenue over cable for the baseball franchise.
Alexandria, Va.: When we were growing up baseball was as popular as football and most young men liked to play or at least watch the game. Do you think that baseball is less popular than it was? My nephews think it is boring and prefer playing soccer.
Robert L. Johnson: Yes, baseball is less popular than it was. That's because basketball and football have been more successful in taking their product to television, creating competitive rivalries and marketing the excitement of the competition among teams. Baseball needs to look at what works in basketball and football and bring some of those best practices to baseball marketing without taking away from the essence of the game.
Houston, Tex.: Mr. Johnson,
How will your franchise differ from the previous NBA franchise in Charlotte? Robert L. Johnson: First, we will have a brand new downtown arena. We will have very strong positive relations with the business community and the city. We will have stronger fan relations and we will have a commitment to putting together a championship team.
Washington, D.C.: Mr. Johnson, you are breaking ground as an entrepreneur of color which right now is unprecedented; outside of the sports arena, have you abandoned your quest to acquire/purchase into the airline industry? And what other venues are of interest? I admire you as a businessman, keep up the great work. Robert L. Johnson: Yes, I'm no longer interested in acquiring an airline. There are other businesses that I am pursuing outside of sports. I own a hotel company that operations 11 hotels around the country, a jazz record label and I am looking at several media-related opportunities.
Washington, D.C.: Mr. Johnson: Words like "historic" "bootstraps", "started with nothing", "beat the odds" and "risk taker" are becoming synonymous with your name. You're the ultimate 20th century business pioneer, and your story is an inspiring tale of keen business insights, faith, and endurance.
My question: To what do you attribute your ability to create and act on your vision and, more importantly, when's the book coming out? Can you teach the rest of us how to make "bricks without straw"? Robert L. Johnson: There are no plans for a book at this time. I think my success thus far has been due to an upbringing that taught me to do the best that I can, that gave me a sense of self-confidence and a willingness to seek help from others to pursue your dream and, I think, you could probably add that I have been extremely blessed by God in what I have been able to achieve.
Philadelphia, Pa.: Congratulations of your acquisition. Average attendance in the NBA is said to be on the decline this season. Do you have any suggestions for the league? Specifically, what are you going to do differently? Robert L. Johnson: I think we in the league have to look at several things. We have to look at ticket prices. That's always a factor in entertainment. We have to make the fans feel that the players want them to be a part of the game experience -- the players are performing for the fans. We've got to make the fans feel welcome in our arenas and each and every team has to become an important economic and cultural force within our respective communities.
Washington, D.C.: In order for the D.C. area to get a baseball franchise, do you think that a particular site and financing for a new stadium will have to be already established, or can those things be worked out later while RFK is used as an interim site? Robert L. Johnson: According to what Major League Baseball has told me, they will insist that the cities commit to financing a brand-new stadium before they will award a franchise to that community and select a franchise owner. Baseball does not want to get stuck playing in RFK.
Baltimore, Md.: What is the status of your Baltimore convention hotel development plan with Quadrangle Development? Robert L. Johnson: We have submitted our application. The city, as required by law, is soliciting other bids. At the end of a 60-day period, they will start the selection process based on the submitted application. We will not know the outcome of that process until May at the earliest.
Harrisburg, Pa.: Writing from Harrisburg, home of the Harrisburg Senators, a minor league team of the Expos, I think it would be great if the Expos moved to Washington (close to us Senators fans). Indeed, it would be just fine with us if the team took the Senators name that we have been protecting for you. We keep hearing that the Orioles are blocking a team in Washington. Is this true, and how would you get around such opposition? Robert L. Johnson: The owner of the Orioles is opposed to relocating the Montreal team to Washington. He does not have, according to Major League Baseball, the authority to block the team from coming to D.C. I expect there will be a financial settlement between Major League Baseball and the Orioles that will allow the Montreal team to come to Washington.
Washington, D.C.: Will you commute between Charlotte and D.C., or telecommute to manage your time? In a typical week, how much time would you expect to devote to the Hornets? Thanks. Robert L. Johnson: Yes, I will commute and will use as much technology as possible to interact with the operations in Charlotte. During the startup years, I anticipate I will spend a significant number of days in Charlotte.
Washington, D.C.: Bob, having played a lot of Saturday basketball with you "back in the day," I know you loved to step up and take that jump shot. If Charlotte falters, will you be tempted to "pull a Ted Turner" and manage the team to your liking? Seriously, much congratulations and all the best in your efforts to win a MLB franchise for D.C. Robert L. Johnson: No, I will not pull a Ted Turner, but I expect that sometimes in practice I might go one-on-one with one of the players for about two minutes.
Jacksonville, Fla.: Mr Johnson, is there any truth to the rumor that you may lure Michael away for the Wizards and bring him into your venture? Robert L. Johnson: Michael is a good friend but as he has said publicly and has he has told me privately, he is fully committed to finishing out his career with the Wizards and remaining with the Wizards organization as an owner. I take him at his word.
Louisville, Ky.: Will you be a "Mark Cuban" style owner to your players and make key people want to come play for Charlotte? Robert L. Johnson: I will certainly try to convince free agents to play with the Charlotte team and I will be as big a cheerleader for the team as possible, I just won't do it on the court like Mark does. I think the players should have an on-court relationship with the coach primarily and an off-court relationship with the owner where it's appropriate.
Arlington, Va.: How do you plan to staff your new team? Are there opportunities for people from the D.C. area to get new jobs in Charlotte? Robert L. Johnson: We are taking resumes from around the country for people who want to work in Charlotte and the address that I gave previously is the one that people should contact.
Louisville, Ky.: Will BET have a role in bringing NBA games to more fans? Robert L. Johnson: BET is not involved in anyway in the purchase of the Charlotte franchise and therefore will have no role in the operations or the telecast of the games.
St. Mary's City, Md.: Mr. Johnson, Should you bring the Expos to the Washington area, I hope you will put the team in the District and not in the suburbs. The Northern Virginia owners' group is not saying where they would want a team, and I fear it would be Herndon or Dale City. That would be like moving the Orioles to Hunt Valley or Columbia. I wish you all the luck in your bid to bring baseball back to D.C. Robert L. Johnson: Thank you very much for your support.
Winston-Salem, N.C.: Mr. Johnson, congratulations on your winning bid for the new Charlotte NBA franchise. Without question I believe your ownership will be in the best interest of Charlotte and its fans in the long term. My question is this, have you given any consideration to bringing Larry Bird on board in some capacity for the new team? There's certainly no doubting the winning track record of either of you two and the combination would appear to hold vast potential for the new franchise. Robert L. Johnson: No, I haven't given any consideration to Mr. Bird. I expect to name the head of basketball operations on Tuesday and that individual will be responsible for putting together the basketball talent to manage the team.
Springfield, Va.: Over the past 15 years the NBA has added six teams to the league (not including your team). Over that time the quality of play in the league has seen a serious decline. What is your stance on the league becoming watered down and won't the addition of another franchise just further this problem?
Best of luck to you in this new endeavor. Robert L. Johnson: I think the play in the league is going through a change as a result of some of the great athletes retiring -- Michael Jordon, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning -- however, there are other young stars ready to take their place, particularly stars like Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, as well as foreign stars, like Yao Ming from China and Dirk Norwitski from Europe. The teams will be more competitive because of these players and adding Charlotte will not, in my opinion, dilute the product, particularly when you have young high school players like LeBron James in the wings.
Laurel, Md.: Mr. Johnson, just curious if your new organization will have internships/co-op opportunities for African-American graduate students, or recent graduates? If so, I'd be very interested. Robert L. Johnson: I would expect so, that we would have opportunities for some interns in the Charlotte operation.
Washington, D.C.: Mr. Johnson, Mr. Polin and Mr. Cooke both spent their money built arenas for their teams to play in, albeit with gov. money for infrastructure. Why does baseball in D.C. deserve a publicly funded stadium given their success? Robert L. Johnson: The economics have changed considerably since Mr. Cooke and Mr. Polin constructed their facilities. In order to make a baseball team economically successful in D.C., there will have to be a public/private partnership in the construction of the stadium. Therefore, I expect that the city will be required to fund the bulk of the construction costs.
Louisville, Ky.: The people of Charlotte once voted down the new arena, how do you plan to keep up the good standing relationship with the fans that has been missing there for years? Robert L. Johnson: We have to do three things: We have to demonstrate to the citizens of Charlotte that we are committed to the community. We have to make the arena a place where the fans feel welcome and appreciated. We have to put together a basketball operation that will be competitive on the court and a credit to the community off the court.
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