This Day in Black History: Dec. 18, 2002
BET founder Robert L. Johnson becomes first African-American to be a principal owner of a major professional sports team.
By Britt Middleton
December 18, 2011 / 7:00 AM
<p>Robert L. Johnson, the founder of <a href="http://www.bet.com/">Black Entertainment Television</a>, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/19/sports/founder-of-tv-network-becomes-first-black-owner-in-major-sports.html?ref=robertljohnson" target="_blank">became the first African-American</a> to be the principal owner of a major professional sports team. On this day, Johnson acquired <a href="http://www.nba.com/" target="_blank">NBA</a>?s Charlotte, North Carolina, expansion franchise.</p>
<p><i> </i></p>
<p><i>BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. </i></p>
<p><i>(Photo: REUTERS/Robert Padgett /Landov)</i><br>
</p>
