Although Earvin “Magic” Johnson is now a part-time owner of the NFL’s Washington Commanders, his heart clearly still belongs to Los Angeles.
The legendary LA Lakers point guard has stayed closely tied to the team long after retiring, thanks in part to a deep personal bond with the Buss family, who previously owned the franchise.
When news broke that the Buss family had sold their majority stake in the Lakers for a historic $10 billion, Johnson expressed nothing but pride. On social media, he congratulated Jeanie Buss, calling the sale an impressive move and praising her choice of successor Mark Walter, who happens to be both Johnson’s friend and business partner.
“Well done to my sister Jeanie Buss for making an amazing deal and selecting the right person to uphold the Lakers’ winning tradition Mark Walter,” Johnson posted. “He’s the perfect fit and will be a great steward of the Lakers brand, just as he’s been with the Dodgers.”
Johnson highlighted Walter’s track record with the Dodgers, who’ve secured two World Series titles and 11 NL West championships over the past 12 years under his leadership.
Some may raise eyebrows at the fact that Johnson owns a stake in the Dodgers, and now the team’s majority owner also owns the Lakers. But with the Buss family walking away as the wealthiest former owners in North American sports history, it’s hard to argue with the outcome.
As for Magic, his enduring legacy with the Lakers remains untouchable. His growing sports ownership portfolio including shares in the Dodgers and Commanders and close relationship with the new Lakers owner only further illustrate his remarkable influence and the strength of his connections.
It’s clear that when it comes to sports and business, Magic still lives up to his name.
