Ervin “Magic” Johnson, born August 14th, 1959 is one of America’s most accomplished athletes and businessman.
Magic decided to step away from the Lakers once again as the President of Basketball Operations. Magic noted,
“I think I had more fun when I was able to be the big brother and the ambassador to everybody,” Johnson said in his farewell address. “Thinking about Dwyane Wade retiring and I can’t even tweet it out…can’t be there. I was thinking about all those times, all the guys who want me to mentor them or be a part of their lives. I can’t even do that, I had more fun on the other side than on this side. Because tomorrow I would have to affect somebody’s livelihood and their life. I thought about that and said, ‘That’s not fun for me, that’s not who I am.’ “
Magic Johnson
Most notably playing 13 years with the Los Angeles Lakers. Taking home 5 championships, one which came during his rookie year! Johnson’s career achievements include three NBA MVP Awards, nine NBA Finals appearances, twelve All-Star games. As well as ten All-NBA First and Second Team nominations.
He led the league in regular-season assists four times! Also, he’s the NBA’s all-time leader in average assists per game, at 11.2. Johnson was a member of the 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team (“The Dream Team”). Eventually winning an Olympic gold medal in 1992.
Johnson became a two-time inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame, what!? One in 2002 for his individual career, and again in 2010 as a member of the “Dream Team”. Furthermore, he was rated the greatest NBA point guard of all time by ESPN in 2007.
Evermore, his friendship and rivalry with Boston Celtics star Larry Bird, whom he faced in the 1979 NCAA finals and three NBA championship series, are well documented. Many league vets testify this rivalry also saved the NBA.
Magic Johnsons Offseason Success and His role as a Business Man.
Not only has Magic been able to accumulate massive success during is his basketball career, but also in his offseason. Magic stated – “Basketball was a tremendous platform for me to start my brand, to understand winning, and be a competitor”. Noted Magic Johnson used this mindset to accumalate a net worth north of 500 million.
With this very mindset, Magic cold-called 20 CEOs and asked them to lunch, just so he could pick their brains. He knew from basketball that preparation was key, st
Furthermore, Magic got to workin’, investing into urban communities In the 1990’s, after he retired from basketball. Investments include an alliance with Sony Pictures to develop Magic Johnson Theaters as well as Starbucks’s only franchisee in the history of the company, acquiring and later selling 125 stores. Thats big time!
Magic was on a mission to bring quality goods and services in these underserved urban communities.
“We proved that retailers and companies could make money in urban America,” he says. “Especially when you look at today the more than $1 trillion spending power of black Americans as well as Latinos,” he says, “Now there is more investment in urban cities across America because of what I started over 20 years ago.”
Most noteworthy, he’s also a co-owner of the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA and Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club. Johnson investments also include controlling interests in EquiTrust, a $14 billion financial services company, as well as African-American television network ASPiRE, and food service and facilities management company, SodexoMAGIC
Magic, we notice your offseason contributions and thank you for lavish work within underserved communities. You’ve lead us to believe anything is possible – through hard work and perseverance.
We wish you nothing but success and love in your next endeavors!
Peace and love!
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