“Turned Them All Down”: Los Angeles Lakers Legend Admits Turning Down the Warriors Ownership Due to Love For the Purple and Gold
Magic Johnson may not have been able to purchase a share in the Golden State Warriors due to his devotion to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Los Angeles Lakers selected Magic Johnson as the first overall choice in the 1979 NBA Draft. The Lakers themselves won the NBA Championship in his debut year. Magic became the first rookie to ever earn MVP of the Finals. Johnson guided the Lakers to five championships over those 12 seasons, winning several awards.
Magic made the decision to buy a 5% interest in the Lakers following the failure of his coaching career. Later, in 2010, Magic sold his stock, making anything between a $20 and $40 million profit.
Magic hasn’t yet made an investment in another NBA team since selling his Los Angeles Lakers stock in 2010. Johnson said his limitations weren’t due to a lack of opportunity. It was actually his adoration of the Lakers.
Magic Johnson didn’t buy stake in Warriors due to love for Los Angeles Lakers
Here’s what Magic Johnson said on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast, Club Shay Shay:
“I do [want to own an NBA team], just the right situation. But I’m such a Laker fan, I don’t know if I can do it.”
Magic Johnson as Warriors owner? Sounds like an interesting proposition 💯 pic.twitter.com/R1Q3qoHwvh
— Warriors Nation (@WarriorNationCP) October 25, 2022
“I’ve had four opportunities, and I turned them all down. Joe Lacob and Peter Guber sat down for lunch with me in Santa Monica: ‘We want you to be our partners with the Golden State Warriors.’ I love both men, I just couldn’t do it. I’m a Laker, I love the Lakers.”
Johnson played his entire Hall of Fame career for the Purple and Gold, earning five titles and three league MVP awards. He is a part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Sparks.
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