NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 29: Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises speaks onstage during ONWARD19: The Future Of Search – Day 2 at Marriott Marquis Times Square on October 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Yext)
Sports has the power to unite a nation. Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson believes it has the power to even “heal” cities that are going through socio-political turbulence. In a recent interview, the 5x NBA champion gives the perfect example of how sports can bring people together. Notably, he experienced this firsthand during his Showtime days.
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Now, he recounts the same in a hopeful tone as he takes his ownership ventures into a new city.
Magic Johnson unveils heroics of the Showtime Lakers
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In an interview for ‘CBS Mornings’, the host emphasized on the wide chasm that exists within the people of Washington. The host asked the former Laker and latest co-owner of the Washington Commanders, “You think you can deal with that kind of divide here?”
Magic smiled, replying, “Sports has a way of bringing people together. I don’t know of anything else that can do that.”
via Imago LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 28: Earvin “Magic” Johnson before the MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 28, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage)
The 2x NBA MVP further added, “When Sundays come, you’re not worried about who you’re sitting next to. You just say “we are Commanders fans, let’s go Commanders!”
“Also, I think sports has a sway of healing a city. I’m from Los Angeles and played for the Lakers. I remember so many things that happened like the riots. The Lakers ‘healed’ the city,” claimed the 3x NBA MVP.
Magic Johnson was talking about the 1992 riots that occurred in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles’ professional basketball teams continued to play despite the socio-political turmoil around them. People could find peace and some kind of normalcy amidst all the chaos that ensued during the riots. But can Magic do that with the Washington Commanders?
Magic’s role in Washington Commanders
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Magic Johnson mentioned earlier in the same interview, “Washington is majorly a black city.”
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The 12x All-Star explained, “So, to have a black man as a part of the ownership group I think was very important to Josh. So, I give him a lot of credit. He didn’t have to do that.” The NBA legend owns a 4% minority stake in the franchise.
The Washington Commanders were valued at a staggering $6.05 billion, making Magic Johnson’s 4% valued at $242 million dollars. This is the ex-Laker’s highest investment in a business venture.
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Considering Magic Johnson’s successful track record in his business ventures, the people of Washington may just witness something beautiful. What are your thoughts on the heroics of the Lakers that “healed the city”?
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Factoring in Washington’s Longstanding Issues, Hopeful Magic Johnson Unveils Heroics of the Lakers That “Healed the City”
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