Michael Jordan hopes he's 'paved the way' for other players to become owners

Michael Jordan inspired an entire generation of future NBA superstars who now dominate the league. What's more, His Airness hopes he'll influence players to entertain team ownership upon retirement.

"In some ways you feel good about it, that hopefully you've paved the road for other players to do that," Jordan said Wednesday about being an NBA owner, according to ESPN's Michael Wallace. "I've also paved the road in that (your) criticism is also going to be viewed in a much different way than other owners because of your talent - that you played the game and impacted the game. 

"But it is a road I would love to see other guys follow. Hopefully they will get the opportunity."

After a series of poor decisions made as an owner of the Washington Wizards, Jordan's Charlotte teams went through some tough times as well. Most infamously, the then-Bobcats went 7-59 in 2011-12, recording the lowest single-season winning percentage in NBA history (.106).

Things have turned around, however.

Charlotte, which returns to its Hornets nickname this season, is now one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference and will be looking to improve upon a 43-win playoff season.

"I think you have to (have) forward vision. You can't just wake up and say, 'I want to own a team.' You have to prepare yourself for that," Jordan said. "I went through that road that led to this ownership, and I made some mistakes. But I'm better for that. I'm better because of that."