Jazz superstar Karl Malone and team owner Larry H. Miller are teamed up in more than just basketball.
The Mailman said this week that he and Miller have purchased an auto dealership in Albuquerque. Once it receives final approval from Toyota the new dealership will be called "Karl Malone Toyota of Albuquerque."
"I bought a dealership and we're having an open house in June," said the Mailman."Those things are hard to get," added Malone of the Toyota dealership. He said Miller helped him through the winter in arranging the purchase of the dealership. The NBA is keeping close watch on the deal to make sure it isn't an attempt to circumvent the league's salary cap. Miller is a limited partner in the venture.
Malone said he normally doesn't go into business with partners. Earlier this week, the Mailman spent several days with country singer Lee Greenwood, who sang the national anthem at the Jazz game on Monday. Greenwood, who owns one truck and two buses, was given a tour of Malone Enterprises - headquarters of the Mailman's trucking firm in Salt Lake.
But asked if Malone plans to include Greenwood in his trucking firm, he replied, "I don't want any investors," he said. "If I make it, I want to make it on my own."
He added, "But I sure don't mind going into business with Larry."