Jay-Z Ends His Infinitesimal Reign as Nets Owner

Jay-Z is officially passing the Brooklyn basketball torch and selling his ownership stake in the Nets to Jason Kidd, the team’s coach.

The sale, reported by the New York Post, brings the story of the ownership stake full circle: It was Jason Kidd, formerly a player on the team, who first suggested that Jay-Z buy part of the Nets. And it’s too bad, in a way, because Jay-Z was the perfect man to own a small vanity stake in a Brooklyn sports franchise. In his hands, the investment was a real-life version of the rich-man fantasies rappers have been spinning in songs for years. Sure, Tash and Raekwon can joke about buying sports teams, but Jay-Z actually did it.

Much has been made of how Jay-Z’s stake was mostly for show. Sure, he may not have been able to fire players—sorry Kanye—but the rapper still got involved and played his part. He had a hand in what uniforms the teams wore, what music played in the arena, and even the flatware used in the luxury suites. It was great for him, and great for the Nets as well.