Magic Johnson has long claimed that his love for the Los Angeles Lakers means he would be reluctant to consider owning an NBA team. But that might now be about to change.
DailyMail.Com can exclusively reveal that the five-time NBA champion with the Lakers and Hall of Famer could lead an NBA franchise expansion in either Las Vegas or Kansas City.
The 65-year-old Johnson has an estimated wealth of $1.6billion and a stunning portfolio of sports teams already to his name, with stakes in the Washington Commanders, LAFC, Los Angeles Sparks and World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers.
And that could be about to grow with a highly anticipated foray into basketball. Vegas may appear to be a more natural fit for Johnson on the west coast, with suitors around the city considering joining with him to help raise the estimated $4bn-$6bn needed for a franchise.
A source told DailyMail.Com: ‘Several investment groups in Las Vegas are interested in partnering with him. His extensive experience in sports ownership and his business acumen positions him as a formidable candidate.’
The Vegas sports market is expanding, with Oakland Athletics pushing to relocate there and bring Major League Baseball to Sin City. NFL’s Raiders, who recently welcomed Tom Brady as a minority owner, are there with the NHL team Golden Knights and the WNBA team Aces.
Magic Johnson could be about to lead an NBA franchise in either Las Vegas or Kansas City
Johnson pictured earlier this month receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Lakers star LeBron James, 40, has also made no secret of his desire to one day bring a franchise to Vegas once his playing days are over.
Speaking in October 2022, James said: ‘I would love to bring a team here at some point, that would be amazing.
‘It’s the best fan base in the world and I would love to bring a team here.’
But Kansas City could also be an appealing option for Johnson too, with the recent success of the Chiefs and Travis Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift helping put the area even more on the map.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has also spoken about the possibility of bringing a WNBA franchise to the city, as well.
Next year, the NBA starts an 11-year television agreement worth around $76billion until the 2035-36 campaign.
As for Johnson, in September 2023 he said he would consider owning the New York Knicks and admitted he had turned down ownership roles before with the Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks.
‘The only team I would actually probably think about is the New York Knicks,’ he said back then. ‘I think it would be intriguing.’
The 65-year-old Johnson, pictured with wife Cookie, has an estimated wealth of $1.6bn
Johnson added: ‘That one you would really have to think about, in terms of being a minority owner of that team.
‘Other than that, I would just stay with the Lakers and even with my role now, just being a fan, I’m happy just doing that with the Lakers because, again, I bleed purple and gold.’
But that now could be about to change.
Earlier this month, Johnson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Joe Biden in a ceremony at The White House.
‘I am so humbled and overwhelmed with emotion right now,’ Johnson said. ‘It is an absolute honor and privilege that President Joe Biden selected me for the esteemed Presidential Medal of Freedom award.
‘Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that this kid from Lansing, MI would one day grow up and receive one of the highest civilian awards of the United States.’
