Michael Jordan is back in the NBA for what may be his biggest challenge. The Washington Wizards on January 19 named Jordan, one of the most important sports figures of the 20th century, as president of basketball operations and gave him an equity share in the franchise.

"It is a new challenge. I don't get to play. I don't get to wear a Wizards' uniform," Jordan told a packed news conference. "But I will have influence with the players who wear the uniform...I'm going to try to have my imprint and footprints all over this place."

Jordan becomes only the third minority black owner in the NBA, with Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers and Edward and Bettiann Gardner of the Bulls.

"It's going to show our children what it means to be an executive, a role model," Mayor Anthony Williams said. "It really is simply going to electrify our city."

Jordan said the Wizards deal requires an out-of-pocket investment, but would not elaborate what percentage he will own.

Jordan, 36, brings instant excitement to a moribund franchise which has not won a playoff game in 12 years. The Wizards are last in the Atlantic Division with a 12-27 record and have not had a sellout this season.

Worshiped worldwide by young and old, men and women, fans and athletes, Jordan retired for the second time as a player last January, seven months after leading the Chicago Bulls to their sixth NBA titles in eight years.

The NBA forbids players from owning teams, thus preventing Jordan from being a player-owner even if he desired to do so.

As head of basketball operations, Jordan would oversee trades, free agent signings, and the drafting of players as the hiring and firing of front-office personnel.

With the NBA working on his behalf, Jordan has been pushing for an ownership or front office role in the league. Last year, he came close to purchasing the Charlotte Hornets, but backed off when he was unable to gain majority control from George Shinn.

The Washington Post reported last Friday that Jordan and Wizards majority owner Abe Pollin reached an agreement in principle that would make Jordan the head of the Wizards' basketball operations.

The Wizards, without a playoff game in 12 years, are last in the Atlantic Division with a 12-27 record and have not had a sellout this season. The mere presence of Jordan in a business suit could fill the seats at the two-year-old MCI Center, where the Wizards will host the Dallas Mavericks tonight.

"I have an attitude about the way I play," Jordan said. "I havean attitude about the way I win... It's going to take some time for me to come in and evaluate what's here, what's going to stay here and what's going to leave."

For now, Jordan said he will retain general manager Wes Unseld and coach Gar Heard. Wizards players immediately welcomed Jordan's arrival. Point guard Rod Strickland, who earlier this season said he wanted out of Washington, said he now wants to stay.

"That's very, very fair to say. This changes everything." Strickland said. Pollin said: "He is one of the greatest athletes that ever put on a suit. He is a straight, honest, decent, wonderful human being."

Jordan was a 12-time All-Star, 10-time scoring champion and five-time Most Valuable Players in his 13-year career with the Bulls. (Xinhua)