This time it’s good for Magic Johnson who has finally managed to set foot in the NFL, the major league of the king sport in the United States, American football!
After initial attempts with the Raiders and then the Broncos which ultimately failed, the group of investors led by Josh Harris (owner of the Philadelphia Sixers in the NBA and the New Jersey Devils in the NHL) and of which Magic Johnson is a part, got their hands on the Washington Commanders (ex Redskins), buying the franchise, until then owned by Daniel Snyder, for 6.05 billion dollars.
It’s a new adventure that begins for the former leader, who has become a formidable businessman, in the professional sports world in particular, between his investments in Los Angeles franchises, in the WNBA at the Sparks, in MLS or even in MBL with the Dodgers, which he has owned since 2012. This time, he therefore joined the most prestigious league in US professional sport by becoming a minority shareholder of the Commanders.
The formalization that took place yesterday was accompanied by first statements, such as that of Josh Harris who announced that he would be remembered for what he will accomplish for the city of Washington.
“God is so good…I still can’t believe it!” It’s an answered prayer.” he first tweeted. “From the beginning of my journey as an athlete and now as a businessman and team owner, everything has been a dream from start to finish. I grew up playing football, I’m a huge NFL fan and watch the games every week. Today, I am co-owner of a historic franchise, the Washington Commanders. I am especially grateful to Josh Harris for allowing me to be one of his partners with the Commanders. He’s an amazing man, a great friend, an incredible businessman, a proven owner and winner with the Sixers. Josh and his team acted with great class throughout this process. Our ownership team is committed to the community and fans in DC, Maryland and Virginia to bring a winning team and quality services.”
With sporting results at half mast for years and a franchise that has not reached the Superbowl since 1991, the Commanders had also found themselves in turmoil because of the actions of the former owner, Daniel Snyder, under the blow of two NFL investigations for inappropriate conduct towards employees in the workplace, harassment, and who was fined $60 million for hiding income supposed to be redistributed with other franchises.
“First, let employees know that you respect them and that the workplace will be safe. We also want them to adopt a winning attitude. Owners can’t just have a winning attitude. It has to trickle down to the employees, and then to the coaches and the players. If we respect them, they will respect us and go all the way for us. I have worked on many different sports teams and we know how valuable these employees are, because they make the team work every day. So we will hire the best. We already have a lot of great people. This year, therefore, it will be about listening, observing and learning.”, he said in an interview with NBC News.
