Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a highly accomplished American businessman and retired professional basketball player, widely considered the greatest point guard ever. He played his entire NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, leading them to five NBA championships during the "Showtime" era after being drafted first overall in 1979 after winning a national championship with Michigan State. In 1991, he announced his HIV diagnosis and initially retired, returning for the 1992 All-Star Game (winning MVP) and briefly in 1996 before permanently retiring.
On August 14, 1959, Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. was born. He later became a professional basketball player and businessman.
In the 1987-88 NBA season, Lakers coach Pat Riley publicly promised that the Lakers would defend their NBA title, even though no team had won consecutive titles since the Celtics did so in the 1969 NBA Finals.
In 1977, Magic Johnson was named to the inaugural McDonald's All-American team and played in the Capital Classic.
During the 1978-79 season, Michigan State qualified for the NCAA tournament.
In 1978, Magic Johnson, as a freshman, helped lead the Michigan State Spartans to a berth in the NCAA tournament where the Spartans reached the Elite Eight, narrowly losing to eventual national champion Kentucky.
In 1979, Magic Johnson faced Larry Bird in the NCAA finals.
In 1979, Magic Johnson was drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers and expressed excitement about playing alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
In 1979, Magic Johnson won a national championship with the Michigan State Spartans and was subsequently selected first overall in the NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.
In 1979, shortly after Jerry Buss acquired the team, Magic Johnson was drafted with the #1 pick in the NBA draft, beginning his career with the Lakers.
Early in the 1981–82 season, Magic Johnson had a heated dispute with coach Paul Westhead, leading to Westhead's firing.
In 1980, Magic Johnson led the Los Angeles Lakers to victory in the NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, recording 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists in Game 6, and becoming the only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award.
In 1980, The Lakers reached the NBA Finals, where they faced the Philadelphia 76ers.
Early in the 1980–81 season, Magic Johnson suffered a knee injury and missed 45 games. The Lakers were later upset by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
In 1981, Magic Johnson fathered a son, Andre Johnson, with Melissa Mitchell. Andre was raised by his mother but visited Johnson each summer.
In 1981, Magic Johnson signed a 25-year, $25 million contract with the Lakers, which was the highest-paying contract in sports history at the time.
During the 1982–83 NBA season, Magic Johnson earned his first All-NBA First Team nomination.
In 1982, Magic Johnson was named the NBA Finals MVP despite averaging only 16.2 points, the lowest average of any Finals MVP award recipient in the three-point shot era.
In 1982, Magic Johnson won his second NBA Finals MVP award after the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4–2, averaging 16.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game during the championship series.
During the 1984-85 regular season, Magic Johnson led the Lakers into the 1985 NBA Finals, where they faced the Celtics.
In 1984, despite their fierce on-court rivalry, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird began to develop a close friendship while filming a Converse shoe advertisement.
In 1984, the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird reached new heights as their teams, the Lakers and Celtics, began a series of NBA Finals matchups that would span several years.
During the 1985–86 NBA season, the Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Finals but were defeated by the Houston Rockets.
In 1985, Johnson created "A Midsummer Night's Magic", a yearly charity event which included a celebrity basketball game and a black tie dinner. The proceeds went to the United Negro College Fund.
In 1985, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in six games to win the NBA Finals, with Magic Johnson averaging 18.3 points, 14.0 assists, and 6.8 rebounds per game in the series.
Before the 1987-88 NBA season, Lakers coach Pat Riley publicly promised that the Lakers would defend their NBA title.
In 1987, the Lakers and Celtics rivalry reached its climax as they met in the NBA Finals, continuing a series of intense matchups that defined an era of basketball.
During the 1988-89 NBA season, Magic Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 12.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game. These statistics led to him earning his second MVP award, and helped the Lakers reach the 1989 NBA Finals.
In the 1988 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers defeated the San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks to reach the Finals, where they faced the Detroit Pistons. The Lakers won the series in seven games, securing the NBA Championship. Johnson averaged 21.1 points, 13 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game during the series.
In the 1988-89 NBA season, Johnson won his second MVP award, and the Lakers reached the 1989 NBA Finals, in which they again faced the Pistons. However, after Johnson went down with a hamstring injury in Game 2, the Lakers were swept 4–0.
In the 1989-90 NBA season, Johnson won his third MVP award after averaging 22.3 points, 11.5 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game.
During the 1989-90 NBA season, the Lakers were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals. This was the Lakers' earliest playoffs elimination in nine years.
In 1990, Magic Johnson and Earl Graves Sr. acquired a significant stake in the Washington, D.C. PepsiCo bottling operation, making it the largest minority-owned facility within PepsiCo in the United States.
In October 1991, Johnson played with the Lakers in the McDonald's Open in Paris, France, and was named the tournament MVP after helping the Lakers win gold.
On November 7, 1991, Johnson announced in a press conference that he had tested positive for HIV and would retire immediately. He also stated that his wife and unborn child did not have HIV.
In November 1991, Magic Johnson announced he was infected with HIV, after which he created the Magic Johnson Foundation to combat the disease.
After leaving the NBA in 1991, Magic Johnson formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a team that traveled around the world playing exhibition games.
In 1991, Jerry Buss supported Magic Johnson when he revealed his diagnosis of HIV and ensured he remained close to the Lakers organization.
In 1991, Magic Johnson abruptly retired from the NBA after announcing that he had contracted HIV.
In 1991, Magic Johnson founded the Magic Johnson Foundation. The Foundation includes Johnson's "A Midsummer Night's Magic" charity event.
In 1991, Magic Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly in a small wedding in Lansing with several prominent guests attending.
In the 1990-91 NBA season, the Lakers reached the 1991 NBA Finals, where they faced the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan. The Bulls won the series 4-1, despite two triple-doubles from Johnson.
Before the 1992-93 NBA season, Johnson announced his intention to stage an NBA comeback. After practicing and playing in several pre-season games, he retired again before the start of the regular season, citing controversy over his return sparked by opposition from several active players.
In 1992, Jerry Buss gave Magic Johnson a contract that paid him $14 million a year as payback for not being the league's highest-paid player during his career. He also insisted that he still be paid after his retirement.
In 1992, Johnson competed in the Barcelona Summer Olympics for the U.S. national team, known as the "Dream Team." The team won the gold medal with an 8-0 record, beating their opponents by an average of 43.8 points per game. Johnson averaged 8.0 points per game during the Olympics.
In 1992, Johnson was voted by fans as a starter for the NBA All-Star Game. He led the West to a 153-113 win and was crowned All-Star MVP after recording 25 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds.
In 1992, Magic Johnson attended Larry Bird's retirement ceremony and described Bird as a "friend forever," solidifying their bond despite their past rivalry.
In 1992, Magic Johnson joined the National Commission on AIDS, appointed by Congress and the Bush Administration, but left after eight months due to disagreements with the White House.
In 1992, Magic Johnson returned to play in the All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award.
In 1992, Magic Johnson's autobiography, "Magic Johnson: My Life", was published by Random House.
The 1992 "A Midsummer Night's Magic" event, raised over $1.3 million for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).
Near the end of the 1993-94 NBA season, Johnson returned to the NBA as coach for the Lakers, replacing Randy Pfund.
In June 1994, after resigning as the Lakers coach, Johnson chose to purchase a 5% share of the team.
In 1994, Jerry Buss sold Magic Johnson a stake in the Lakers, solidifying their business partnership.
In 1994, Johnson formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team composed of former NBA and college players. The team played games in various locations around the world.
In 1994, Magic Johnson became a minority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, reportedly investing over $10 million for his ownership stake. He also assumed the role of team vice president.
In 1994, at Jerry Buss' request, Magic Johnson agreed to take the head coaching position with the Lakers, despite never seriously considering coaching before.
Jud Heathcote stepped down as coach of the Spartans after the 1994–95 season.
On June 8, 1995, Magic Johnson returned to the Breslin Center to play in the Jud Heathcote All-Star Tribute Game, leading all scorers with 39 points.
During his retirement in 1995, Johnson began intense workouts to help his fight against HIV, raising his bench press from 135 to 300 pounds, and increasing his weight to 255 pounds.
In 1995, Johnson played in a celebrity game to honor coach Jud Heathcoate.
In 1995, Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie adopted a daughter, Elisa, expanding their family.
On January 29, 1996, Johnson officially returned to the Lakers. He played his first game the following day against the Golden State Warriors, scoring 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists.
After the Lakers lost to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, Johnson retired permanently in 1996, saying, "I am going out on my terms, something I couldn't say when I aborted a comeback in 1992."
By the time Magic Johnson returned to the Lakers in 1996, the Magic Johnson All-Stars had amassed a record of 55-0, and Johnson was earning as much as $365,000 per game.
In 1996, Magic Johnson was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
In 1996, Magic Johnson was voted as one of the 50 Greatest Players of All Time by the NBA, solidifying his legacy in basketball.
In 1996, at the age of 36, Magic Johnson returned to play 32 games for the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring for the third and final time.
In 1997, Magic Johnson Entertainment signed a deal with Fox, expanding his presence in the entertainment industry.
In 1998, Magic Johnson hosted a late-night talk show on the Fox network called "The Magic Hour", which was canceled after two months due to low ratings.
In 1999, Magic Johnson joined the Swedish basketball team M7 Borås and was undefeated in five games. He also became a co-owner of the club, but the project failed after one season. He then joined the Danish team, The Great Danes.
In 1999, Magic Johnson was the main speaker for the United Nations (UN) World AIDS Day Conference and served as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
In 2000, Shortly after the cancellation of his talk show, Magic Johnson started a record label, initially called Magic 32 Records, renamed Magic Johnson Music after a joint venture with MCA, and signed R&B artist Avant as its first act.
In November 2001, at the age of 42, Johnson played with the All-Stars against his alma mater, Michigan State. Johnson had a triple-double, but his all-star team lost to the Spartans by two points.
On November 1, 2002, Johnson returned to play a second exhibition game against Michigan State. Playing with the Canberra Cannons of Australia's National Basketball League, Johnson's team defeated the Spartans 104-85.
In 2002, Magic Johnson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual career.
In 2004, Johnson's HIV announcement was named as ESPN's seventh-most memorable moment of the previous 25 years.
In 2004, Magic Johnson and his partner Ken Lombard sold Magic Johnson Theaters to Loews Cineplex Entertainment.
From 2005 to 2007, Magic Johnson was part of a syndicate that bought the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, then the tallest building in Brooklyn, for $71 million and converted it into luxury condominiums.
In 2005, Johnson ended his yearly charity event "A Midsummer Night's Magic" after holding it for twenty years.
In 2006, ESPN.com rated Magic Johnson the greatest point guard of all time, asserting that he might be better than Michael Jordan.
In 2006, Magic Johnson created a contract food service with Sodexo USA called Sodexo-Magic, expanding his business ventures.
In 2006, Magic Johnson publicly endorsed Phil Angelides for Governor of California, showing support for the Democratic Party.
From 2005 to 2007, Magic Johnson was part of a syndicate that bought the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, then the tallest building in Brooklyn, for $71 million and converted it into luxury condominiums.
In 2008, Magic Johnson became a studio analyst for ESPN's NBA Countdown, transitioning from his role as an NBA commentator for Turner Network Television for seven years.
In 2008, Magic Johnson supported Hillary Clinton during her presidential campaign, aligning with the Democratic Party.
In 2009, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird collaborated with journalist Jackie MacMullan on a non-fiction book titled "When the Game Was Ours", detailing their on-court rivalry and friendship.
In October 2010, Magic Johnson sold his ownership stake in the Lakers to Patrick Soon-Shiong, while continuing to serve as an unpaid vice president of the team.
In 2010, Magic Johnson endorsed Barbara Boxer in her race for re-election to the U.S. Senate, showcasing his support for Democratic candidates.
In 2010, Magic Johnson sold his remaining interest in 125 Starbucks stores back to the company, ending a successful twelve-year partnership.
In 2010, Magic Johnson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Dream Team.
In 2010, the first Magic Johnson Theater, located in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, closed.
In an August 2011 interview, Johnson said that in retrospect he wished that he had never retired after being diagnosed with HIV, saying, "If I knew what I know now, I wouldn't have retired."
In 2011, the former Magic Johnson Theater in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza re-opened as Rave Cinema 15.
In a 2011 interview with Frontline, Magic Johnson recalled how AIDS activist Elizabeth Glaser convinced him to go public about his HIV diagnosis, and he promised to become the face of the disease and help and educate people.
In January 2012, Magic Johnson joined Guggenheim Partners and Stan Kasten in a bid for ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
In March 2012, Magic Johnson's ownership group, including movie executive Peter Guber, was announced as the winner of the proceedings to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers for $2 billion.
In 2012, Magic Johnson endorsed Barack Obama for president, continuing his support for the Democratic Party's political figures.
In 2012, Magic Johnson launched a cable TV network called Aspire, featuring programming targeted at black audiences, similar to networks such as Black Entertainment Television (BET) and TV One.
In 2013, Magic Johnson endorsed and appeared in campaign ads for Wendy Greuel, who was an unsuccessful candidate for Los Angeles mayor.
In 2013, Magic Johnson visited Jerry Buss at the hospital just months before Buss's death from cancer, highlighting their close relationship.
In 2014, Magic Johnson and Peter Guber sold their stake in the Dayton Dragons. Also in 2014, Johnson, along with Guggenheim, was involved in buying the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, leading to him being named one of ESPNW's Impact 25.
In 2015, Magic Johnson finalized his acquisition of a majority, controlling interest in EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, a firm managing $14.5 billion in annuities, life insurance, and other financial products.
In 2015, Magic Johnson once again endorsed Hillary Clinton in her second presidential campaign, reaffirming his political alliances.
On August 22, 2016, Magic Johnson hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, actively supporting her bid for the presidency.
In 2016, Magic Johnson won the WNBA championship as the owner of the Los Angeles Sparks.
In February 2017, Magic Johnson returned to the Los Angeles Lakers as an advisor to Jeanie Buss.
On February 21, 2017, Magic Johnson replaced Jim Buss as the president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers.
In 2018, Magic Johnson announced co-ownership of a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise, Los Angeles FC.
In 2018, during Magic Johnson's tenure as president, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a four-year contract with free agent LeBron James.
On April 9, 2019, Magic Johnson unexpectedly resigned from his position with the Los Angeles Lakers, citing his desire to return to his role as an NBA ambassador.
At the 2019 NBA Awards, Magic Johnson received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award, shared with Larry Bird, recognizing their significant contributions to basketball.
In 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers, co-owned by Magic Johnson, won the World Series.
In 2021, Magic Johnson was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing his enduring impact on the sport.
In 2022, Los Angeles FC, co-owned by Magic Johnson, won the MLS Cup.
In 2022, Magic Johnson joined Josh Harris on an unsuccessful bid for the Denver Broncos before eventually investing in the Washington Commanders.
In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th anniversary, The Athletic ranked Magic Johnson as the 5th greatest player in NBA history and the highest-ranked point guard.
According to Forbes, in 2023 Magic Johnson became a billionaire, making him one of the richest celebrities.
In 2023, Magic Johnson invested $240 million in a group headed by Josh Harris that purchased the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL) for $6.05 billion.
In September 2024, Magic Johnson joined the investment group for the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
In 1981, Magic Johnson signed a $25 million contract with the Lakers, equivalent to $86,000,000 in 2024.
In 2024, the Los Angeles Dodgers, co-owned by Magic Johnson, won the World Series.
As of May 2025, Magic Johnson's net worth is estimated at US$1.5 billion, according to Forbes.
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