Howard Schultz said that during his time as owner of the Seattle Sonics basketball team, he learned how to better handle having power.
The former Starbucks CEO was responding to a Washington Post article critical of his ownership of the NBA team, which moved in 2008 and became the Oklahoma City Thunder after Schultz sold it. According to interviews with former Sonics employees, Schultz’s leadership of the team was full of conflict with players and outbursts at city council members, Washington state lawmakers, and lower-level employees.
“I’ve learned a lot from that experience, and what I learned is that when you have power and responsibility, you have to demonstrate restraint,” Schultz told CNN Saturday morning.
Schultz is considering an independent run for president in 2020 because he says neither the Democratic or Republican Parties aptly represent the majority of Americans and claims voters desire another option.
Democrats have pushed back on Schultz’s consideration of a run, claiming that he could divide the Democratic Party votes and lead to another win for President Trump.
