Michael Jordan has emerged as a strong voice championing small market franchises across several weeks of discussions with the players association.

Jordan, who owns the Charlotte Hornets, is now on the labor-relations committee.

Jordan earned his way onto the committee. 

“[Jordan] did it the old fashioned way,” one high-ranking official with strong ownership ties told The Vertical. “He observed. He listened. He wanted to understand the process. He wanted to serve. The players don’t see him as a player – they see him as an owner."

The owners are negotiating against a union executive committee that includes Chris Paul, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, so the presence of Jordan changes the tone in the room.