Wealthy Man To Improve Philadelphia In A Way Other Than Running For Mayor

Recently, the Inquirer’s Marc Narducci’s talked with Philadelphia Soul owner Jon Bon Jovi (right, with Michael Jackson) about the team’s upcoming fourth season. Oh, yea, Bon Jovi is also a multiplatinum recording artist, a millionaire, etc., etc.

Bon Jovi’s one of those rare rich people who, when you hear them talk, you actually kind of start to like them more. (Actually, scratch that. Bon Jovi is one of those rare people who doesn’t seem like a total asshole. There we go.) Part of this, at least for me, deals with how seriously he takes his role as owner and president of the Soul. He doesn’t meddle in the football decisions — so he’s a smart owner — but he does seem to really get pissed when the team doesn’t do well. And he had a television monitor set up on his tour so he could watch the Soul while he was playing.

He’s also building 21 homes in Philadelphia because, well, he has the money and he can, which is nice.

“If I build 15 houses on that block and you have people who take pride in ownership of houses, they will watch the block,” he said. “The bad guy who wants to deal crack to the neighbors, you watch grandma come out with her broomstick and chase him away.”

Bon Jovi: Making the city safe for grandmas to chase people with broomsticks. Until they’re shot.

Bon Jovi still happy to put his heart into the Soul [Inquirer]
[Photo via Michael Jackson Fan Square]