Magic Johnson’s been quietly building a sports empire that stretches far beyond his Lakers legacy. The NBA Hall of Famer’s now got ownership stakes in six different teams, making him one of sports’ most diversified investors.
Let’s break down Magic’s portfolio, which spans from the NFL to esports and shows just how far he’s come from his $39.3 million in NBA earnings.
The Los Angeles Connection
Johnson’s biggest splash came in 2012 when he joined Mark Walter and Guggenheim Partners in their $2 billion purchase of the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s turned out to be a smart bet – the Dodgers have become MLB’s most aggressive spender and a perennial contender.
He’s also kept his LA ties strong through the Los Angeles Sparks. When the WNBA team faced ownership uncertainty in 2014, Johnson stepped in with Guggenheim to keep the team in LA. He’s been the face of ownership ever since.
The Los Angeles FC rounds out his LA trifecta. Johnson’s part of an impressive ownership group that includes soccer legend Mia Hamm and former MLB star Nomar Garciaparra. LAFC’s been a success story since joining MLS in 2014, already claiming a league title.
Expanding East
Johnson’s latest moves show he’s thinking beyond California. He joined Josh Harris’s group that bought the Washington Commanders for over $6 billion in 2023. The team’s showing new life under this ownership after the troubled Dan Snyder era.
He doubled down on DC by buying into the Washington Spirit of the NWSL in September 2024. Michele Kang remains the managing owner, but Johnson’s presence adds serious star power to the soccer club.
The Digital Play
What’s interesting is Johnson’s move into esports through Team Liquid. He’s an investor in aXiomatic, which bought the legendary gaming organization in 2016. Team Liquid competes across 23 different esports titles, showing Johnson’s got an eye on where sports entertainment’s heading.
According to Forbes, Johnson’s net worth sits at $1.6 billion. That’s quite a jump from his playing days, built through smart investments in sports, entertainment, and insurance through Equitrust.
The way things are going, don’t be surprised if Johnson adds more teams to his collection. He’s proven he knows how to pick winners, both on and off the court.
