Jeter has aspirations to a be a baseball owner

[March 26, 2010]  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Derek Jeter wants to eventually be like Mike.

The New York Yankees captain told The Associated Press that once his career is over, he envisions himself pursuing ownership of a professional sports franchise -- like Michael Jordan.

Jeter, one of several athletes who endorses the Jordan Brand, was in Tampa Thursday at an event celebrating the launch of his ninth signature shoe, the Jordan Jeter Throwback.

Jordan recently purchased majority ownership of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats. Jeter stressed he has no interest in owning a small, non-controlling share of a baseball team.

"Oh yeah," he said. "The only interest I have in ownership is to be able to call the shots. I've said that time and time again."

Jeter clearly has given some thought to life after baseball. He's known Jordan since the Hall of Famer gave up basketball to pursue a short-lived pro baseball career, and said he hopes to learn from him.

"I'm happy for him. I know it's something he's wanted to do for quite some time. ... Not too many former players get an opportunity to be an owner. It's something I'd like to do as well," Jeter said.

But don't look for Jeter to hang up his new cleats anytime soon.

"I'm going to play as long as I'm enjoying myself. I don't really put limitations on too many things. I think when you start putting limitations out there, you're in trouble," the 10-time All-Star said. "I'm having a blast right now playing, and I'm going to play for a long time. That's the plan."

The 35-year-old shortstop is entering the final season of a $189 million, 10-year contract. The club has a policy of not negotiating new deals until a player's previous contract expires, and Jeter has said he doesn't have a problem with that.

When he reported to spring training last month, he discussed his contract situation for what he said would be the final time.

Jeter said he is focused on trying to help the Yankees repeat as World Series champions.

He hit .334 with 18 homers and 66 RBIs in 2009, leading New York to its first world title in nine years. The Yankees have won five rings during his career.

His new shoe ($100) is designed to celebrate nine defining moments of his career, including his first World Series, fist All-Star Game MVP award and passing Lou Gehrig to become the Yankees' all-time hits leader.

Elements of the shoes he was wearing during each of the defining moments are incorporated into the new Jordan Jeter Throwback, which will be available in retail stores on April 1.

"I like competing," he said, explaining why he remains motivated. "I've always been that way. When you're playing a sport, the bottom line is to try to win. There's a lot of people who've won more, so I'm trying to catch them."

Last season was special he said, but no more than his championship years.

"We had a long drought," Jeter said. "For us to finally win, you can't say it's better than the first one or the second one. It's just different. But you do forget how good it feels."

What you remember is how bad it feels to lose, he said.

"It's tough. You put a lot of work in throughout the course of a year to get an opportunity to win. If you don't win, then the season's a failure," Jeter said. "And if you don't feel as though it's a failure, in my opinion you shouldn't be playing."

[Associated Press; By FRED GOODALL]

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