Fred Whitfield, Michael Jordan’s close friend, resigns as Charlotte Hornets COO

Fred Whitfield, chief operating officer of the Charlotte Hornets and a close friend of Michael Jordan, has resigned from his position after 17 years. Whitfield made the decision to resign following Jordan’s August 2023 sale of his majority stake in the Hornets.

Whitfield cited personal reasons for his departure, including his recent battle with throat cancer and his desire to spend more time with his family. He also said he wanted to focus on his health and well-being.

Jordan and Whitfield have been close friends for more than 35 years and have worked together on a number of projects, including the launch of the Jordan brand at Nike.Whitfield was instrumental in changing the name of the Hornets from the Bobcats to the Hornets when Jordan became the owner of the Hornets in 2010.

The Hornets organization thanked Whitfield for his years of service and wished him well in his future endeavors. Jordan has yet to publicly comment on Whitfield’s decision, but their friendship seems to remain strong despite the change.

Whitfield has always believed that Jordan seeks excellence in all of his employees, and he has certainly met those high standards. Whitfield is known for his intelligence, work ethic, and loyalty, and we will be watching for a new chapter in Whitfield’s life.