Magic Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Magic Johnson

Johnson in 2022
Personal information
Born	(1959-08-14) August 14, 1959 (age 65) Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
High school	Everett (Lansing, Michigan)
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
College	Michigan State (1977–1979)
NBA Draft	1979 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
Pro career	1979–1991, 1996, 1999–2000
Career history
As player:
1979–1991, 1996	Los Angeles Lakers
1999–2000	Magic M7 Borås
2000	Magic Great Danes
As coach:
1994	Los Angeles Lakers
Career highlights and awards
5× NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) 3× NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987) 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1987, 1989, 1990) 12× NBA All-Star (1980, 1982–1992) 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992) 9× All-NBA First Team (1983–1991) All-NBA Second Team (1982) NBA All-Rookie Team (1980) 4× NBA assists leader (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987) 2× NBA steals leader (1981, 1982) NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th) No. 32 retired by Los Angeles Lakers NCAA champion (1979) NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1979) Consensus first-team All-American (1979) Second-team All-American – NABC (1978) Third-team All-American – AP, UPI (1978) 2× first-team All-Big Ten (1978, 1979) No. 33 retired by Michigan State Spartans First-team Parade All-American (1977) McDonald's All-American (1977) Mr. Basketball of Michigan (1977) Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025)
Career NBA statistics
Points	17,707 (19.5 ppg)
Rebounds	6,559 (7.2 rpg)
Assists	10,141 (11.2 apg)
Medals Men's basketball Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1992 Barcelona Men's basketball Tournament of the Americas Gold 1992 Portland Men's basketball

Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is a famous American businessman and former professional basketball player. Many people think he is the greatest point guard of all time. Magic Johnson played his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

After winning a college championship with the Michigan State Spartans in 1979, Johnson was the first player picked in the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers. He led the team to five NBA championships during their exciting "Showtime" era. Johnson suddenly retired in 1991 after announcing he had HIV. However, he returned to play in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, where he won the All-Star MVP Award. After some players worried about his return, he retired again for four years. He came back in 1996, at age 36, to play 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the last time.

Magic Johnson was known for his amazing court vision, passing skills, and leadership. He was one of the best players of his time. His awards include three NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals MVPs, and twelve All-Star game selections. He led the league in assists four times. He also holds records for most career playoff assists and most career playoff triple-doubles. Johnson was a co-captain of the "Dream Team" in 1992, which won the Olympic gold medal. This made him one of only eight players to achieve the basketball Triple Crown.

Johnson was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and was on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice: once for his own career (2002) and again as a member of the Dream Team (2010). His friendly rivalry with Boston Celtics star Larry Bird was very famous. They played against each other in the 1979 college finals and three NBA championship series.

Since retiring, Johnson has worked to prevent HIV/AIDS. He is also a successful businessman, a generous giver, a broadcaster, and a speaker. He used to be a part-owner of the Lakers and was their president of basketball operations. He also owns parts of other sports teams, like the Los Angeles Dodgers (baseball), the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), Los Angeles FC (soccer), the Washington Commanders (NFL), and the Washington Spirit (NWSL). Johnson has won 15 championships in total: one in college, five as an NBA player, and nine as an owner. In 2025, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award for a civilian in the United States.

Magic Johnson's Early Life and Dreams

Earvin Johnson Jr. was born on August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan. His father worked at General Motors, and his mother was a school janitor. Magic had many brothers and sisters. His parents taught him the importance of hard work. His mother cleaned their home and made meals after work. His father did janitorial work and collected garbage, never missing a day at his main job. Magic often helped his father with the garbage route. Some kids in the neighborhood even teased him, calling him "Garbage Man."

Magic loved basketball from a young age. His favorite player was Bill Russell, who won many championships. He also looked up to players like Earl Monroe. Magic practiced basketball "all day." His family was athletic. His father played high school basketball and taught Magic many things about the game. His mother also played basketball when she was a child.

By eighth grade, Magic was a great junior high player, once scoring 48 points in a game. He wanted to play at Sexton High School, which had a strong basketball team. But his plans changed when he was sent to Everett High School instead. Everett was mostly white, while Sexton was mostly Black. Magic's sister and brother had gone to Everett the year before and had a tough time. There were problems with racism, like rocks being thrown at buses. Magic's brother even left the basketball team.

Magic joined the Everett basketball team but was upset when his new teammates ignored him. He almost got into a fight. But eventually, he accepted the situation. The small group of Black students looked to him as their leader. He later wrote that going to Everett helped him understand and communicate with white people better.

High School Basketball Star

Magic Johnson got his famous nickname "Magic" when he was 15 years old. He was a sophomore playing for Everett High School. In one game, he had an amazing performance: 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists. This is called a triple-double. After the game, a sportswriter named Fred Stabley Jr. gave him the nickname. Magic's mother, who was very religious, thought the name was not proper.

In his last high school season, Magic led Everett to a great record of 27 wins and 1 loss. He averaged 28.8 points and 16.8 rebounds per game. He led his team to an overtime victory in the state championship game. Magic dedicated this win to his best friend, Reggie Chastine, who had died in a car accident the summer before. He said Reggie helped him become a better player and person. Magic was considered the best high school player ever from Michigan. He was also named to the 1977 McDonald's All-American team.

College Basketball Journey

Many top colleges wanted Magic Johnson to play for them, like Indiana and UCLA. But he chose to stay close to home. He decided between Michigan and Michigan State. He picked Michigan State because coach Jud Heathcote told him he could play as a point guard. The strong players already on Michigan State's team also attracted him.

Magic didn't plan to play professionally at first. He studied communication and wanted to become a TV commentator. As a freshman, he averaged 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. He led the Spartans to a 25–5 record and the Big Ten Conference title. They reached the "Elite Eight" in the 1978 NCAA tournament but lost to Kentucky.

In the 1978–79 season, Michigan State made it to the championship game of the NCAA tournament. They played against Indiana State, led by Larry Bird. This game was the most-watched college basketball game ever. Michigan State won 75–64, and Magic was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. After two years in college, where he averaged 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, Magic decided to enter the 1979 NBA draft.

Becoming an NBA Legend

Rookie Season: A Championship Start

In 1979, the Los Angeles Lakers picked Magic Johnson as the first player in the NBA draft. Magic was thrilled to play with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers' tall center. Abdul-Jabbar was a great scorer, but the Lakers hadn't won a championship with him yet. Magic was expected to help them achieve that goal.

Even though some thought Magic, who was 6 feet 9 inches tall, should play forward, Lakers coach Jack McKinney made him a point guard. Magic averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game in his first season. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team and became an NBA All-Star Game starter.

The Lakers had a great season, winning 60 games. They reached the 1980 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, led by Julius Erving. The Lakers were up 3–2 in the series. But Abdul-Jabbar, who was scoring 33 points per game, hurt his ankle and couldn't play in Game 6. Coach Paul Westhead decided to start Magic at center for Game 6. Magic had an amazing game, scoring 42 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and making 7 assists. He played guard, forward, and center during the game. The Lakers won 123–107. Magic became the only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award. His performance is still seen as one of the best in NBA history. He also became one of only four players to win college and NBA championships in a row.

Ups and Downs: Injuries and Changes

Early in the 1980–81 season, Magic hurt his left knee and missed 45 games. He said his recovery was the "most down" he had ever felt. Magic came back for the 1981 playoffs, but the Lakers lost in the first round to the Houston Rockets.

In 1981, Magic signed a huge 25-year, $25 million contract with the Lakers. This was the biggest sports contract at that time. Early in the 1981–82 season, Magic had a disagreement with Coach Westhead. Magic felt the team was too "slow." After Magic asked to be traded, Lakers owner Jerry Buss fired Westhead and hired Pat Riley. Magic denied being responsible for the firing, but fans across the league booed him.

Despite the problems, Magic played great, averaging 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and a league-high 2.7 steals per game. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team. He also became one of only three NBA players to get at least 700 points, 700 rebounds, and 700 assists in one season. The Lakers went on to win the 1982 NBA Finals against Philadelphia, and Magic won his second NBA Finals MVP award. Magic later said this season was when the Lakers truly became a great team.

In the 1982–83 season, Magic averaged 16.8 points, 10.5 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game. He earned his first All-NBA First Team award. The Lakers reached the Finals again, facing the Sixers for the third time. With some of Magic's teammates injured, the Lakers lost the series.

Rivalry with the Boston Celtics

Johnson with the Lakers, c. 1987

Before Magic's fifth season, the Lakers traded Norm Nixon so Magic could handle the ball more. Magic continued to play well, averaging 17.6 points, 13.1 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game. The Lakers reached the Finals for the third year in a row. This was the first time Magic's Lakers and Larry Bird's Boston Celtics met in the playoffs.

The series was very close. In Game 2, Magic missed a shot at the buzzer that could have won the game. In Game 4, he made some key mistakes, including a steal by a Celtics player and missing two free throws that could have won the game. The Celtics won that game in overtime. The Celtics eventually won the series in Game 7. Magic later called this series "the one championship we should have had but didn't get."

In the 1984–85 season, Magic led the Lakers back to the 1985 NBA Finals to face the Celtics again. The Lakers started poorly, losing Game 1 by 34 points. But Abdul-Jabbar, who was 38 years old, played incredibly well. The Lakers defeated the Celtics in six games. Magic and Abdul-Jabbar said this Finals win was a highlight of their careers.

Magic continued to have great seasons. In the 1986–87 season, he averaged a career-high 23.9 points, along with 12.2 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game. He won his first regular season MVP award. The Lakers met the Celtics for the third time in the 1987 NBA Finals. In Game 4, Magic made a last-second hook shot over two Celtics players to win the game. This shot helped Los Angeles defeat Boston in six games. Magic won his third Finals MVP award.

More Championships and Final Seasons

Before the 1987–88 season, Lakers coach Pat Riley promised they would win the NBA title again. No team had won two titles in a row since 1969. Magic had another strong season, averaging 19.6 points, 11.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game. In the 1988 playoffs, the Lakers had tough series but reached the 1988 NBA Finals to face the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons were known as the "Bad Boys" for their physical style of play. The series went to Game 7. Lakers player James Worthy had a triple-double and led his team to a 108–105 win. This was Magic's fifth and final NBA championship.

In the 1988–89 season, Magic's great play earned him his second MVP award. The Lakers reached the 1989 NBA Finals again, facing the Pistons. But Magic got a hamstring injury in Game 2, and the Pistons swept the Lakers 4–0.

Playing without Abdul-Jabbar for the first time, Magic won his third MVP award in the 1989–90 season. However, the Lakers lost in the Western Conference semifinals, their earliest playoff exit in nine years. In the 1990–91 season, Magic was older but still played well. The Lakers reached the 1991 NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan. The Bulls won the series 4–1. This was the last championship series of Magic's career.

HIV Announcement and Olympic Gold

Johnson, who had retired from basketball in 1991 due to HIV, was selected for the U.S. national team that won the gold medal at the Summer Olympics.

Before the 1991–92 NBA season, Magic Johnson found out he had tested positive for HIV. On November 7, 1991, he announced his immediate retirement in a public press conference. He shared that his wife Cookie and their unborn child did not have HIV. He said he would dedicate his life to fighting the disease.

Magic's HIV announcement was a huge news story in the United States. Many people praised him as a hero. The U.S. President at the time, George H. W. Bush, called Magic a "hero for anyone who loves sports."

Even though he retired, fans voted Magic to start in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game. Some players were worried about him playing, but Magic led his team to a 153–113 win and was named All-Star MVP. The game ended with him making a last-minute three-pointer, and players from both teams congratulated him.

Magic was chosen to play in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona for the U.S. national team, known as the "Dream Team." This team included other famous players like Bird, Michael Jordan, and Charles Barkley. The Dream Team was considered unbeatable. They won the gold medal with a perfect 8–0 record, beating their opponents by a large margin. Magic didn't play much due to knee problems, but he received cheers from the crowd. He used this chance to inspire people living with HIV.

Life After Basketball: Business and Advocacy

After the Olympics, Magic wanted to come back to the NBA. He practiced and played in some pre-season games. But he retired again before the season started because some players were against his return. In 2011, Magic said he wished he had never retired after his HIV diagnosis. He said he retired because he "didn't want to hurt the game."

During his retirement, Magic Johnson started several businesses. He also worked as a TV commentator and traveled the world playing basketball with a team of former players. In 1985, he started "A Midsummer Night's Magic," a yearly charity event. The money raised went to the United Negro College Fund. He held this event for twenty years. This event later became part of the Magic Johnson Foundation, which he started in 1991.

Return to the Lakers as Coach and Player

Johnson and Mayor Richard Riordan in 1995

Magic returned to the NBA as the coach of the Lakers near the end of the 1993–94 season. He took the job because owner Jerry Buss asked him to. Magic said his health was not an issue. He coached a team that included five of his former teammates. The Lakers played well at first, winning five of their first six games with Magic as coach. But after losing the next five games, Magic decided to resign as coach after the season. He said coaching was never his dream. He then bought a small share of the team in June 1994.

At 36 years old, Magic tried another comeback as a player in the 1995–96 season. He had been working out intensely to fight HIV, gaining strength. He officially returned on January 29, 1996. In his first game back, he scored 19 points, had 8 rebounds, and 10 assists, helping the Lakers win. He played as a power forward and averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game in 32 games. The Lakers had a good record of 22–10 in the games he played. Magic felt his final comeback was "a success."

After the Lakers lost in the first round of the playoffs, Magic first wanted to return for the next season. But a few days later, he changed his mind and retired for good. He said, "I am going out on my terms, something I couldn't say when I aborted a comeback in 1992."

Magic Johnson All-Stars and International Play

Magic was determined to keep playing basketball. He formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a team of former NBA and college players. In 1994, his team played games in Australia, Europe, Japan, and other places. They also toured the United States. By the time he returned to the Lakers in 1996, the All-Stars had a perfect record of 55–0. Magic played with the team for several years. In 2001, at age 42, he played against his old college team, Michigan State. Magic had a triple-double, but his team lost by two points.

In 1999, Magic joined a Swedish team called M7 Borås. He played five undefeated games with them. He also became a co-owner of the club, but the project didn't last. He later played for a Danish team called The Great Danes.

Rivalry with Larry Bird

Johnson against the Boston Celtics during the 1987 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird became famous rivals after Magic's Michigan State team beat Bird's Indiana State team in the 1979 college finals. Their rivalry continued in the NBA. The Lakers and Celtics met in three NBA Finals between 1984 and 1987. The Lakers won two of those three series. Magic said that for him, the NBA season had 80 normal games and two Lakers–Celtics games. Bird also admitted that Magic's daily game stats were the first thing he checked.

Many people thought the Magic–Bird rivalry was so exciting because it showed many differences. It was the Lakers versus the Celtics, Hollywood flashiness ("Showtime") versus Boston's tough style ("Celtic Pride"), and Black versus White players. This rivalry was very important because it brought a lot of attention to the NBA, which had been losing popularity. With Magic and Bird, the league gained many new fans. According to sports journalist Larry Schwartz, Magic and Bird saved the NBA.

Even though they were rivals on the court, Magic and Bird became good friends. They filmed a shoe advertisement together in 1984 that showed them as enemies. Magic attended Bird's retirement ceremony in 1992 and called Bird a "friend forever." Bird also introduced Magic when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

In 2009, Magic and Bird wrote a book called When the Game Was Ours with journalist Jackie MacMullan. The book talked about their rivalry and friendship. Later, HBO made a documentary about their rivalry called Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals.

Magic Johnson's Amazing Legacy

In 905 NBA games, Magic Johnson scored 17,707 points, grabbed 6,559 rebounds, and made 10,141 assists. This means he averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game. His average assists per game is the highest in NBA history. Magic shares the playoff record for assists in a single game (24). He also holds the Finals record for assists in a game (21) and has the most playoff assists ever (2,346). He is the only player to average 12 assists in an NBA Finals series, doing it six times. He also holds the All-Star Game record for assists in a single game (22) and for career assists (127).

Magic introduced a fast and exciting style of basketball called "Showtime." It included "no-look passes, amazing alley-oops, spinning feeds, and powerful passes." Another Lakers player, Michael Cooper, said that sometimes he wasn't sure where Magic was passing the ball, but then a teammate would catch it and score. Magic could control a game without scoring many points himself. He ran the offense and passed the ball with great style. In the 1982 NBA Finals, he was named Finals MVP even though he averaged only 16.2 points.

Magic was special because he played point guard despite being 6 feet 9 inches tall. This size is usually for bigger players who play closer to the basket. He has 138 triple-double games in his career, which is third all-time. Magic is the only player in NBA Finals history to have triple-doubles in multiple series-winning games.

For his achievements, Magic Johnson was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. He was also selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inducted him in 2002. ESPN ranked Magic No. 17 in their "50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century." In 2006, ESPN.com called him the greatest point guard of all time. At the 2019 NBA Awards, Magic received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award with Larry Bird. In 2022, the NBA named the Western Conference Finals MVP trophy after Magic Johnson.

NBA Career Statistics

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
1979–80	L.A. Lakers	77	72	36.3	.530	.226	.810	7.7	7.3	2.4	0.5	18.0
1980–81	L.A. Lakers	37	35	37.1	.532	.176	.760	8.6	8.6	3.4*	0.7	21.6
1981–82	L.A. Lakers	78	77	38.3	.537	.207	.760	9.6	9.5	2.7*	0.4	18.6
1982–83	L.A. Lakers	79	79	36.8	.548	.000	.800	8.6	10.5*	2.2	0.6	16.8
1983–84	L.A. Lakers	67	66	38.3	.565	.207	.810	7.3	13.1*	2.2	0.7	17.6
1984–85	L.A. Lakers	77	77	36.1	.561	.189	.843	6.2	12.6	1.5	0.3	18.3
1985–86	L.A. Lakers	72	70	35.8	.526	.233	.871	5.9	12.6*	1.6	0.2	18.8
1986–87	L.A. Lakers	80	80	36.3	.522	.205	.848	6.3	12.2*	1.7	0.4	23.9
1987–88	L.A. Lakers	72	70	36.6	.492	.196	.853	6.2	11.9	1.6	0.2	19.6
1988–89	L.A. Lakers	77	77	37.5	.509	.314	.911*	7.9	12.8	1.8	0.3	22.5
1989–90	L.A. Lakers	79	79	37.2	.480	.384	.890	6.6	11.5	1.7	0.4	22.3
1990–91	L.A. Lakers	79	79	37.1	.477	.320	.906	7.0	12.5	1.3	0.2	19.4
1995–96	L.A. Lakers	32	9	29.9	.466	.379	.856	5.7	6.9	0.8	0.4	14.6
Career		906	870	36.7	.520	.303	.848	7.2	11.2	1.9	0.4	19.5
All-Star		11	10	30.1	.489	.476	.905	5.2	11.5	1.9	0.6	16.0

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
1980	L.A. Lakers	16	16	41.1	.518	.250	.802	10.5	9.4	3.1	0.4	18.3
1981	L.A. Lakers	3	3	42.3	.388	.000	.650	13.7	7.0	2.7	1.0	17.0
1982	L.A. Lakers	14	14	40.1	.529	.000	.828	11.3	9.3	2.9	0.2	17.4
1983	L.A. Lakers	15	15	42.9	.485	.000	.840	8.5	12.8	2.3	0.8	17.9
1984	L.A. Lakers	21	21	39.9	.551	.000	.800	6.6	13.5	2.0	1.0	18.2
1985	L.A. Lakers	19	19	36.2	.513	.143	.847	7.1	15.2	1.7	0.2	17.5
1986	L.A. Lakers	14	14	38.6	.537	.000	.766	7.1	15.1	1.9	0.1	21.6
1987	L.A. Lakers	18	18	37.0	.539	.200	.831	7.7	12.2	1.7	0.4	21.8
1988	L.A. Lakers	24	24	40.2	.514	.500	.852	5.4	12.6	1.4	0.2	19.9
1989	L.A. Lakers	14	14	37.0	.489	.286	.907	5.9	11.8	1.9	0.2	18.4
1990	L.A. Lakers	9	9	41.8	.490	.200	.886	6.3	12.8	1.2	0.1	25.2
1991	L.A. Lakers	19	19	43.3	.440	.296	.882	8.1	12.6	1.2	0.0	21.8
1996	L.A. Lakers	4	0	33.8	.385	.333	.848	8.5	6.5	0.0	0.0	15.3
Career		190	186	39.7	.506	.241	.838	7.7	12.3	1.9	0.3	19.5

Awards and Honors

Johnson's Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Johnson's number 32 jersey was retired by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1992.

NBA

• Five-time NBA champion – 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988
• Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player – 1987, 1989, 1990
• Three-time NBA Finals MVP – 1980, 1982, 1987
• Nine-time All-NBA First Team – 1983–1991
• One-time All-NBA Second Team – 1982
• 12-time NBA All-Star – 1980, 1982–1992
• Two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP – 1990, 1992
• J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award – 1992
• Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996
• Selected on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021
• No. 32 retired by the Los Angeles Lakers
• Statue in front of Crypto.com Arena
• NBA Lifetime Achievement Award – 2019
• Trophy named in Johnson's honor (Earvin "Magic" Johnson Trophy) awarded to Western Conference Finals MVP (established in 2022)

USA Basketball

• Olympic gold medal winner – 1992
• Tournament of the Americas gold medal winner – 1992

NCAA

• NCAA national championship – 1979
• NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player – 1979
• No. 33 retired by Michigan State
• Statue at Michigan State

High school

• 1977 Michigan high school state champion (Lansing Everett High School)

Halls of Fame

• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – 2001
• Two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee:
  • 2002 – individual
  • 2010 – member of "The Dream Team"
• National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (class of 2006)
• FIBA Hall of Fame (class of 2017 as a member of "The Dream Team")
• U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame (class of 2009 as a member of "The Dream Team")
• California Hall of Fame (class of 2011)

Sports ownership

• Five-time NBA champion – 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010—as part owner/executive of the Los Angeles Lakers
• WNBA champion – 2016—as part owner of the Los Angeles Sparks
• Two-time World Series champion – 2020, 2024 — as part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers
• MLS Cup champion – 2022—as part owner of Los Angeles FC

Media and entertainment

• NAACP Image Awards – 1992 Jackie Robinson Sports Award
• 1993 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Album
• Marca Leyenda – 2001

National

• Presidential Medal of Freedom, United States (January 4th, 2025)

Magic Johnson's Business Ventures

Johnson giving a speech at the George R. Brown Convention Center in 2013

Magic Johnson has been very successful in business. He runs Magic Johnson Enterprises, a large company worth $700 million. This company includes Magic Johnson Productions, which promotes events, and Magic Johnson Entertainment, a film studio. He also created the Magic Card, a pre-paid MasterCard to help people manage their money. In 2006, he partnered with Sodexo USA to create Sodexo-Magic, a food service company.

Magic started thinking about business while still playing for the Lakers. He learned from experts and read business magazines. His first business, a sports store, failed, but it taught him to listen to customers. Magic has become a leader in investing in urban communities. He has helped create new opportunities in areas that need them, especially through his movie theaters and partnership with Starbucks. He convinced Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz that his coffee shops could do well in urban areas. Magic bought 125 Starbucks stores, which had higher sales than average. This partnership, called Urban Coffee Opportunities, brought Starbucks to places like Detroit and Harlem. Magic sold his share in the stores in 2010, ending a successful twelve-year partnership. He has also invested in real estate. In 2023, Forbes magazine reported that Magic Johnson became a billionaire.

In 1994, Magic became a minority owner of the Lakers. He also held the title of team vice president. He sold his ownership in the Lakers in 2010 but continued as an unpaid vice president. In 2017, he returned to the Lakers as an advisor.

In 2012, Magic joined a group that bought the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team for $2 billion. Magic is seen as the public face of this ownership group. The Dodgers won the World Series in 2020 and 2024. Magic also helped buy the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA team) in 2014, and they won the WNBA championship in 2016. He is also a co-owner of Los Angeles FC, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team, which won the MLS Cup in 2022. In 2023, Magic invested in the group that bought the Washington Commanders (NFL team) for $6.05 billion, the highest price ever for a sports team. In 2024, he joined the investment group for the Washington Spirit (NWSL team).

Magic Johnson's Personal Life

Johnson with his wife, Cookie, in 2014

Magic Johnson had a son, Andre, in 1981. Andre was raised by his mother but visited Magic every summer and later worked for Magic Johnson Enterprises.

In 1991, Magic married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly. They have a son, Earvin III ("EJ"), who is openly gay and appears on a reality show. They adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995. Magic lives in Beverly Hills.

Magic is a Christian and says his faith is "the most important thing" in his life. In 2010, Magic played basketball with President Barack Obama and other NBA players for military troops who had been injured.

Relationship with Jerry Buss

Magic had a very close relationship with Lakers owner Jerry Buss. He saw Buss as a mentor and like a father. Magic called Buss his "second father" and "one of [his] best friends." Magic visited Buss in the hospital for five hours before Buss passed away in 2013 from cancer. Magic was very emotional, saying, "Without Dr. Jerry Buss, there is no Magic." Buss bought the team in 1979, just before he drafted Magic. Buss took a special interest in Magic, introducing him to important business people in Los Angeles and showing him how the Lakers organization worked. He later sold Magic a share of the team. Magic credits Buss with teaching him the business knowledge that helped him become an owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Buss supported Magic when he announced his HIV diagnosis in 1991. He always kept Magic close to the team, bringing him in as a part-owner and even as a coach. In 1992, Buss gave Magic a contract that paid him $14 million a year. Even though Magic retired before the 1992–93 season, Buss insisted that he still be paid. This allowed Magic to coach the team without getting an extra salary. After Magic stopped coaching, Buss sold him a 4% share in the Lakers.

Media and Public Figure

In 1998, Magic hosted a late-night talk show called The Magic Hour, but it was canceled after two months. Magic also started a record label called Magic Johnson Music. He has worked as a motivational speaker and was an NBA commentator for TV.

In 2012, Magic launched a cable TV network called Aspire. It shows programs for Black audiences.

HIV Activism

In 2003, Johnson met with Nancy Pelosi to discuss federal assistance for those with AIDS.

Magic Johnson was one of the first sports stars to publicly announce he had HIV. An AIDS activist named Elizabeth Glaser convinced Magic to share his diagnosis. Magic recalled, "She made me promise before she died that I would become the face of the disease and really go out and help people and educate people about it."

After his announcement in November 1991, Magic created the Magic Johnson Foundation to help fight HIV. Later, the foundation expanded to include other charity goals. In 1992, he joined the National Commission on AIDS, a committee appointed by Congress. Magic left after eight months, saying the White House had "ignored" the committee's work. He was also the main speaker for the United Nations (UN) World AIDS Day Conference in 1999. He has also served as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

Magic stated that his goal was to "help educate all people about what [HIV] is about" and teach others not to "discriminate against people who have HIV and AIDS."

Many studies have looked at the "Magic Johnson effect." This refers to how Magic's HIV announcement changed people's understanding of the disease. His announcement was a "public-health catalyst." It quickly corrected what people thought about who was at risk of infection. One study found that Magic's announcement led to "increased concern about HIV and with attitude and behavior changes that would lead to reduced risk."

To keep his HIV infection from turning into AIDS, Magic takes a daily combination of antiretroviral drugs. These medicines block and control the virus. He has also worked with drug companies to raise awareness about fighting AIDS in African American communities.

Images for kids

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  Johnson with the Lakers in 1990