In the NBA Michael Jordan has secretly become one of most powerful owners

Michael Jordan's success as a superstar for the Chicago Bulls hasn't necessarily translated into his tenure as an owner of the Charlotte Hornets.

The Hornets/Bobcats have been up and down in the six seasons under Jordan, and he hasn't always been viewed in a positive light. But that's all changing now, as Jordan is emerging as an unforeseen power in the NBA's labor negotiations.

With the 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte and the Hornets currently in the thick of the playoff race at 39-30, things are looking up for the Hornets, which has considerably helped Jordan's reputation and cache as an owner around the league. The Hornets are reportedly not cutting costs anymore, and are planning on purchasing its own NBA Development League affiliate in Greensboro, N.C., as well.

The NBA and the Players Association are in the middle of labor negotiations, with the NBA and its union having until Dec. 15 to determine whether they plan on opting out of the current CBA in 2017. While the dynamic of the conversations have been kept private, Jordan's role has grown, as he's one of the leading voices for small-market teams. 

The irony of all of this, of course, is that Jordan famously stood on the other side during the 1998 labor negotiations, which led to the 1998-99 lockout. Jordan thought that owners who can't turn a profit should sell their team -- now, his franchise benefits from revenue sharing more than any other.

Regardless of his hypocritical change in stance, Jordan is still as competitive as ever, and one can only imagine the essential asset he will be for the owners this time around.