Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin's offer to pay Michael Jordan an extra $10 million in gratitude over the next five years was the flashpoint that turned Wednesday morning's 18-minute meeting into a heated exchange full of name-calling and shouting that concluded with Jordan stomping out of MCI Center, according to people familiar with the meeting.

America Online mogul Ted Leonsis, who owns 44 percent of Pollin's NBA franchise and was present at the meeting, has told associates over the last two days that he played no role in Pollin's decision to reject Jordan's request to return as president of the Wizards' basketball operations.

Pollin issued a news release following the meeting, which said, in part: "Ted [Leonsis] and I felt that this franchise should move in a different direction." But associates close to Leonsis, who spoke on the condition that they not be identified, said Leonsis had no prior knowledge of the news release and objected to its wording. Pollin and his lawyer, David Osnos, told Leonsis after the meeting that the release had already been issued and nothing could be done.

Pollin and Leonsis have not responded to requests for comment. Jordan, through a spokesman, also declined to comment.