[157] The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inducted him in 2002. He insisted that his health was not an issue, while downplaying questions about returning as a player, saying, "I'm retired. Magic Johnson Commercial 1980 1 - YouTube Magic Johnson Commercial 1980 1 101,222 views May 22, 2016 This is an old commercial I shot with Magic Johnson for Quality Dairy back in 1980. so. [177], In 1997, his production company Magic Johnson Entertainment signed a deal with Fox. [190] In 2012, 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. The NBA-centered drama series follows the rise of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s. [212], Together with Guggenheim, Johnson was also involved in the February 2014 purchase of the Los Angeles Sparks team in the WNBA. Starbucks Acquires Remaining Interest in Magic Johnson Enterprises The franchise reached an agreement with free agent LeBron James on a four-year contract in 2018, but efforts to trade for Anthony Davis during the 201819 season proved unsuccessful. He wondered why so many athletes had failed at business, and sought advice. "Earvin Johnson" redirects here. His father played high school basketball in his home state of Mississippi,[29]and Johnson learned the finer points about the game from him. [137] By the time he returned to the Lakers in 1996, the Magic Johnson All-Stars had amassed a record of 550, and Johnson was earning as much as $365,000 per game. "I think D'Angelo has really grown and matured," Johnson said . [43] After two years in college, during which he averaged 17.1points, 7.6rebounds, and 7.9assists per game, Johnson entered the 1979 NBA draft. Magic Johnson Music signed R&B artist Avant as its first act. [154] In the 1982 NBA Finals, he was named the Finals MVP averaging just 16.2 points, the lowest average of any Finals MVP award recipient in the three-point shot era. [170] Johnson resides in Beverly Hills and has a vacation home in Dana Point, California. [138][139] On November 1, 2002, Johnson returned to play a second exhibition game against Michigan State. Ten of the 12 players on the team were named on the NBA's list of, Principal owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, Brooklyn Atlantics/Grays/Bridegrooms/Grooms/, Michigan State Spartans men's basketball 197879 NCAA champions, 1992 Tournament of the Americas Gold medal, 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, List of career achievements by Magic Johnson, List of athletes who came out of retirement, List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders, List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders, List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders, List of National Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff assists leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff steals leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff turnovers leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff free throw scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association players with most assists in a game, List of National Basketball Association players with most steals in a game, "Magic weekend is on tap as Johnson set for NBA encore", "202122 Big Ten Men's Basketball Media Guide", "Daily Dime: Special Edition The 10 Greatest Point Guards Ever", "NBA All-Time Player Rankings: Top 10 Point Guards", "NBA 75: Top 75 NBA players of all time, from MJ and LeBron to Lenny Wilkens", "NBA 75: At No. [171][172], Johnson is a Christian[173] and has said his faith is "the most important thing" in his life. There they faced the Chicago Bulls, led by shooting guard Michael Jordan, a five-time scoring champion regarded as the finest player of his era. Cedric Ceballos, upset over a reduction in his playing time after Johnson's arrival, left the team for several days. Magic Johnson was also having success in college at Michigan State.In his senior year, Magic led his school to a 26-6 record that was good enough . Watch The Rise of Magic Johnson in HBO's New - E! Online Education: Attended Michigan State University, 1977-1979. [150] The following year, HBO developed a documentary about their rivalry titled Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals, which was directed by Ezra Edelman. 4/2/2013 8:45 AM PT. In 1991, . EJ was born June 4, 1992, during a turbulent time in Magic's life. "Very European," says EJ Johnson, the son of Magic Johnson, as he recalls when he came out as gay to his father. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Business Speakers Bureau & Speaking Fee [51], The Lakers compiled a 6022record in the regular season and reached the 1980 NBA Finals,[52] in which they faced the Philadelphia 76ers, who were led by forward Julius Erving. The 29-year-old reality TV personality came out to the basketball great, 62, in 2010, and at first, the latter wasn't too. [215] The temporary name was Los Angeles Football Club,[216] which later became permanent in 2015. [209] The Dodgers won the 2020 World Series, giving Johnson a Major League Baseball title to his credit. [120] The 1992 event, which was the first one held after Johnson's appearance in the 1992 Olympics, raised over $1.3 million for UNCF. Magic Johnson Celebrates Son EJ's 30th Birthday: 'So Honored' - Peoplemag After leaving the NBA in 1991, Johnson formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team that traveled around the world playing exhibition games. [192] The experience taught him to listen to his customers and find out what products they wanted. [48] Lakers coach Jack McKinney had the 6-foot-9-inch (2.06m) rookie Johnson, who some analysts thought should play forward, be a point guard, even though incumbent Norm Nixon was already one of the best in the league. After a triple-double from Johnson in Game 6, the Lakers defeated the Sixers 42, as Johnson won his second NBA Finals MVP award. [74] Johnson averaged another double-double season, with 17.6points, 13.1assists, and 7.3rebounds per game. It's safe to say that without their common sponsor bringing them together, they likely wouldn't have hung out that day. The clip starts off with Lakers owner, Jerry Buss, played by John C. Reilly, waking up one morning and . Larry Bird and Magic Johnson spent years competing against each other and being compared to each other. [125][176] After Johnson ended his coaching stint, Buss sold him a 4% stake in the Lakers for $10 million, and Johnson served as a team executive. Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan: Who'd Be Better To Build a Franchise Magic Johnson wanted to hit Howard Stern after radio host in 1998 said [36] He officially returned to the team on January 29, 1996,[128] and played his first game the following day against the Golden State Warriors. [180] Shortly after the cancellation of his talk show, Magic Johnson started a record label. From creating job opportunities within communities, to reshaping the corporate understanding of urban areas, our work raises awareness, enhances social value and increases the economic strength of those we serve. [165] In an impromptu news conference on April 9, 2019, Johnson resigned from the Lakers, citing his desire to return to his role as an NBA ambassador. [44] However, the Lakers bowed out to the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals, which was the Lakers' earliest playoffs elimination in nine years. [168] Johnson and Cookie have one son, Earvin III ("EJ"), who is openly gay and a star on the reality show Rich Kids of Beverly Hills. [181][182] Johnson also co-promoted Janet Jackson's Velvet Rope Tour through his company Magicworks. And the first few months, I was miserable at Everett. Visit California TV Spot, 'Living the Dream' Feat. The retired point guard welcomed his first child, son Andre, 42, with ex-girlfriend. What Fans Might Not Know About Magic Johnson - Grunge.com Johnson sold his remaining interest in the stores back to the company in 2010, ending a successful twelve-year partnership. Senate. [7][8] He also holds the record for most career assists in the playoffs. While Johnson is considered the leader of the ownership group, the controlling owner is Mark Walter, chief executive officer for Guggenheim Partners. Johnson learned everything he could about business, often meeting with corporate executives during road trips. Converse was the sneaker company with which both players had a shoe deal. Magic Johnson might be a legendary basketball player, but to his three kids, his most important role is dad. The Pixel 6 offers the capability to eliminate photobomb fans quickly with the touch of a finger -- even Magic Johnson thinks it's absolute magic. [28] After the game, Fred Stabley Jr., a sports writer for the Lansing State Journal, gave him the moniker[32] despite the belief of Johnson's mother, a devout Christian, that the name was sacrilegious. Magic Johnson Investments He has had partnerships previously with Starbucks, 24-Hour Fitness, T.G.I Fridays, and AMC Theatres. Magic Johnson Becomes Household Name in Winning Time Trailer - Yahoo! Magic Johnson's Son Goes Public With Boyfriend -- Dad Proud - TMZ [185], Johnson runs Magic Johnson Enterprises, a conglomerate company that has a net worth of $700million;[13] its subsidiaries include Magic Johnson Productions, a promotional company; Magic Johnson Theaters, a nationwide chain of movie theaters; and Magic Johnson Entertainment, a film studio. Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV, but returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. [47] Despite Abdul-Jabbar's dominance, he had failed to win a championship with the Lakers, and Johnson was expected to help them achieve that goal. Capital One TV Spot, 'Final Four' Feat. Charles Barkley, Samuel L Magic Johnson's Net Worth: The 'They Call Me Magic' Star Is A - Bustle [165][166][167], Johnson first fathered a son in 1981, when Andre Johnson was born to Melissa Mitchell. Although Johnson's retirement prior to the 199293 NBA season voided this contract, Buss insisted that he still be paid. When did Magic Johnson have his son? Johnson says he agreed to it, but he was nervous because he had . [38] His college decision came down to Michigan and Michigan State in East Lansing. [154] He holds the All-Star Game single-game record for assists (22), and the All-Star Game record for career assists (127). [101] Under Dunleavy, the offense used more half-court sets, and the team had a renewed emphasis on defense. [204], In 2015, Johnson completed his planned acquisition for a "majority, controlling interest" in EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, which manages $14.5 billion in annuities, life insurance and other financial products. [3][4][5][6] Johnson played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). [28], At the age of 36, Johnson attempted another comeback as a player when he re-joined the Lakers during the 199596 NBA season. Magic Johnson on Learning to Accept His Gay Son EJ: 'He Changed Me' Bird was adamant that he would not appear in the Converse advert if it was filmed in LA. "[108], Despite his retirement, Johnson was voted by fans as a starter for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game at Orlando Arena, although his former teammates Byron Scott and A. C. Green said that Johnson should not play,[110] and several NBA players, including Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone, argued that they would be at risk of contamination if Johnson suffered an open wound while on court. In the final minute of the game, Johnson had the ball stolen by Celtics center Robert Parish, and then missed two free throws that could have won the game. [187] In 2006, Johnson created a contract food service with Sodexo USA called Sodexo-Magic. After leaving the NBA in 1991, Johnson formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team that traveled around the world playing exhibition games.[10]. Earvin Johnson III . [57], Early in the 198081 season, Johnson was sidelined after he suffered torn cartilage in his left knee. [40], Before the 199293 NBA season, Johnson announced his intention to stage an NBA comeback. Magic Johnson joined Shaquille O'Neal and celebrity coach Spike Lee to lead the blue team to a 147132 victory over the white team, which was coached by Arsenio Hall. Magic Johnson reveals his son EJ's coming out - New York Post Earvin "Magic" Johnson, William Novak. [73], Prior to Johnson's fifth season, Westwho had become the Lakers general managertraded Nixon to free Johnson from sharing the ball-handling responsibilities. April 12, 2012 4:54am. In Episode 7 of "Binge Sesh," hosts Matt Brennan and Kareem Maddox draw inspiration from Nike cofounder Phil Knight's pursuit of Magic Johnson in "Winning Time.". [151], In 905NBA games, Johnson tallied 17,707points, 6,559rebounds, and 10,141assists, translating to career averages of 19.5points, 7.2rebounds, and 11.2assists per game, the highest assists per game average in NBA history. Still a commanding presence in popular culture, Johnson made history in 2012 when he became co-owner of MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers. [227] Johnson was later criticized by the AIDS community for his decreased involvement in publicizing the spread of the disease. NBA Legend Magic Johnson Discusses Ecolab Science Certified [95] It was the fifth and final NBA championship of his career. He also missed several games due to a calf injury. [20], Earvin Johnson Jr. was born in Lansing, Michigan, to General Motors assembly worker Earvin Sr. and school janitor Christine. [87] The game-winning shot, which Johnson dubbed his "junior, junior, junior sky-hook",[87] helped Los Angeles defeat Boston in six games. Although Johnson denied responsibility for Westhead's firing,[66] he was booed across the league, even by Laker fans. Playing with the Canberra Cannons of Australia's National Basketball League instead of his usual group of players, Johnson's team defeated the Spartans 10485, as he scored 12 points, with 10 assists and 10 rebounds. He led the league in regular season assists four times, and is the NBA's all-time leader in average assists per game in both the regular season (11.19 assists per game) and the playoffs (12.35 assists per game). The superstars' fiery relationship cooled after filming a 1985 Converse commercial filmed in French Lick, Ind., Bird's hometown. $620 MILLION From his salary as a basketball player to endorsements and on-camera opportunities to his many, many businesses and investments, Johnson has. Johnson's half-court shot at the buzzer would have won the game, but it fell short. Magic Johnson Comes Out 'Swinging' in They Call Me Magic Docuseries [33] Johnson dedicated the championship victory to his best friend Reggie Chastine, who was killed in a car accident the previous summer. Although they were facing the defending NBA champion Houston Rockets, the Lakers had home court advantage in the five-game series. Capital One TV Spot, 'It's Like Magic' Featuring Charles Barkley [205], He is an investor for aXiomatic eSports, the ownership company of Team Liquid. In the decisive Game 7 in Boston, as the Lakers trailed by three points in the final minute, opposing point guard Dennis Johnson stole the ball from Johnson, a play that effectively ended the series. [155] Johnson is the only player in NBA Finals history to have triple-doubles in multiple series-clinching games. Johnson recently revealed plans for a documentary on his life to be released. The book detailed their on-court rivalry and friendship with one another. He is also part of a group of investors that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 and the Los Angeles Sparks in 2014,[18] and was part of the ownership group that established Los Angeles F.C. In the past 30 days, commercials featuring Magic Johnson have had 27,434 airings. [207] In March 2012, Johnson's ownership group was announced as the winner of the proceedings to buy the Dodgers. [197][198], In 1990, Johnson and Earl Graves Sr. obtained a large interest in the Washington, D.C. PepsiCo bottling operation, making it the company's largest minority-owned facility in the U.S.[199] Johnson became a minority owner of the Lakers in 1994, having reportedly paid more than $10million for part ownership. [77][109], Johnson's HIV announcement became a major news story in the United States,[108] and in 2004 was named as ESPN's seventh-most memorable moment of the previous 25 years. [40] Playing with future NBA draftees Greg Kelser, Jay Vincent, and Mike Brkovich, Johnson averaged 17.0points, 7.9rebounds, and 7.4assists per game as a freshman, and led the Spartans to a 255record, the Big Ten Conference title, and a berth in the 1978 NCAA tournament. With help from the HBO . Tragic Details About Magic Johnson - msn.com Magic Johnson Enterprises serves as a catalyst for fostering community and economic empowerment by providing access to high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of multicultural communities. Magic Johnson - Wikipedia Magic Johnson's Friendship With Larry Bird Explained - Grunge.com Then in 1985, Converse asked Johnson and Bird to tape a shoe commercial in French Lick, Ind., Bird's hometown. Magic Johnson news & latest pictures from Newsweek.com [129] Playing power forward, he averaged 14.6points, 6.9assists, and 5.7rebounds per game in 32games, and finished tied for 12th place with Charles Barkley in voting for the MVP Award. He went to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz with the idea that he could successfully open the coffee shops in urban areas. What You Don't Know About Magic Johnson's Son EJ - NickiSwift.com Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). According to sports journalist Larry Schwartz of ESPN, Johnson and Bird saved the NBA from bankruptcy. ISBN0-449-22254-3. [143] He later joined the Danish team The Great Danes. A Shoe Commercial Is What Finally Helped Larry Bird and Magic Johnson [206], In January 2012, Johnson joined with Guggenheim Partners and Stan Kasten in a bid for ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. and his family wife Cookie, daughter Elisa and sons Andre and EJ were joined by a star-studded roster of celebrities and professional athletes With so many ways to love the NBA, Google says the Pixel 6 is built for all fans. His mother spent many hours after work each night cleaning their home and preparing the next day's meals, while his father did janitorial work at a used car lot and collected garbage, all while never missing a day at General Motors. Johnson is 6'9" tall. [162] In 2022, the NBA began awarding MVPs for the conference finals; the Western Conference Finals MVP trophy is named in Johnson's honor, while the Eastern Conference trophy is named after Bird. [Indianapolis Star] - Larry Bird, Magic Johnson became friends in 1987