After having already cut his teeth in MLS, in the WNBA with the Los Angeles Sparks or even in MLB with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Magic Johnson realized one of his dreams by becoming a minority owner of an NFL team, the Washington Commanders, within a group of investors led by Josh Harris (owner of the Philadelphia Sixers in the NBA and the New Jersey Devils in the NHL).
Will the former “Shwotime” leader, now an outstanding businessman, one day give in to the temptation of investing in an NBA franchise? For the moment, we are far from it, but if the idea came to fruition, Magic Johnson would only want the Knicks, a unique franchise in the NBA.
“That would be intriguing. The only team I would probably think of is the New York Knicks.”, he declared. “For the way the fans love basketball there. Maybe you’ll have to think about that, because I love coming to New York and going to the Garden and watching the Knicks play. I like being around fans who are passionate about their team, and Knicks fans are, and they’re smart. They are smart basketball fans. I think outside of that, I probably would never think of being a part of another franchise.”
The response from the Lakers icon is still surprising. Is this a sign of the resentment that remained from his last collaboration with the “Purple & Gold” of Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka, leading to his spectacular resignation as president of basketball operations in 2021? Or rather a first positioning, while the Lakers are clearly not for sale, while the Knicks’ situation is much more vague?
Magic Johnson still had a word for his favorite team, which he sees dominating the Western Conference.
“ (The Knicks), we would really have to think about it, if there was the opportunity to invest as a minority owner. But other than that, I would stay with the Lakers, even in my current role, as just a fan. I’m happy to do it with the Lakers because, once again, I bleed “Purple & Gold”, he still added.
