Milwaukee Bucks owner Herb Kohl has decided not to sell the team to Michael Jordan.

　　Kohl said on Sunday that he had extensive negotiations with Jordan and was pleased with Jordan's time and money commitments to a proposed sale, but that he didn't want to part with the team right now.

　　"On balance, I simply decided that I am not yet prepared to sell the team at this time," the senator said.

　　Kohl said he would continue to own the team, "improve them, and commit them to remaining in Wisconsin."

　　Previously, Kohl had said he was willing to sell the team he bought for US million in 1985, with the stipulation that any new owner must agree to keep the team in Milwaukee.

　　Messages left with Jordan's spokeswoman, Estee Portnoy, were not returned. Bucks spokeswoman Cheri Hanson said no one was available to comment.

　　Jordan is a five-time NBA most valuable player and was a member of six Chicago Bulls championship teams. He retired as a player in October 1993, came back in March 1995, and retired again in January 1999.

　　Jordan joined the Washington Wizards in January 2000 as an executive and part owner. But he gave up his ownership stake, as NBA rules required, to return to the court as a Wizards player in September 2001, then played two seasons for Washington before retiring again after last season.

　　Bucks coach George Karl was in Greece on Sunday, and his agent, Bret Adams, said he would be pleased with the news.

　　"I know George's feelings towards Senator Kohl have always been very positive and I'm sure George will be very happy that Senator Kohl will be maintaining ownership of the team," Adams said.

　　Karl is heading into a lame-duck season under the two-year contract extension that pays him US million a year.

　　The Bucks announced they had released General Manager Ernie Grunfeld from the final year.