• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Magic Johnson Adds Commanders Ownership As His Fourth Sports Team

  • Johnson now owns stakes in the NFL’s Commanders, MLS’s LAFC, WNBA’s Sparks, MLB’s Dodgers, and Team Liquid esports.
  • “I want people to know that we can do the job,” Johnson says regarding Black ownership in sports.
Johnson now owns stakes in the NFL’s Commanders, MLS’s LAFC, WNBA’s Sparks, MLB’s Dodgers, and Team Liquid esports.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Magic Johnson now has ownership stakes in teams across four professional sports leagues following the completion of the Washington Commanders’ $6.05 billion sale to Josh Harris. 

The NBA legend—who has a net worth of $620 million per Celebrity Net Worth—was among over a dozen limited partners to join Harris’s group to buy the NFL team from Dan Snyder in the most expensive sale ever for a U.S. sports franchise. 

“I’m going to excel not only for myself and my family but for all African Americans, making sure we can see ourselves in these seats,” an emotional Johnson said about his new Commanders ownership on the TODAY Show. “I want people to know that we can do the job.”

Johnson’s sports team ownership—which now spans also stakes in MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, MLS club LAFC, and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks—began almost 30 years ago when he bought about 4.5 percent of the Los Angeles Lakers in June 1994 for a reported $10 million. The Laker legend sold his stake in the team in 2010, and the franchise is now worth nearly $6 billion per Forbes. 

After selling his stake in the Lakers, Johnson invested $50 million in 2012 for a 2.3% ownership stake in the Dodgers. In an interview with HBO, Johnson said it was the largest check he ever wrote in his life. The Dodgers are worth $4.8 billion per Forbes as the second-most valuable MLB franchise behind the New York Yankees. 

Johnson’s LA sports team ownership trifecta was cultivated in 2014 when he acquired stakes to become part owner of both the WNBA’s Sparks and LAFC in MLS. LAFC was an expansion club when Johnson bought in, and its $1 billion valuation now ranks as the highest in MLS.

Johnson also is an owner of the esports company aXiomatic alongside Ted Leonsis, the owner of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Capitals. aXiomatic owns Team Liquid, which was valued at $440 million in 2022. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 14, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the 2025 Home Run Derby at Truist Park.

MLB Enters Crucial Second Half With Big Questions Looming

Media, labor, and Cal Raleigh are among the top second-half storylines.
Jul 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at PNC Park.

MLB ASG Missing Many Highly Paid Stars, Clearing Path for Youth

Many of MLB’s top earners are not part of the Midsummer Classic.
Jul 2, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) heads to the dugout prior to the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium.

MLB Changes Are ‘Showing Great Results’: Former CFO

Big stars playing in major markets “make a real difference.”

Bobby Bonilla On Annual $1.2M Payday: ‘It Doesn’t Suck’

The former MLB star receives another $1.19 million from the Mets today.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
WNBA

Portland WNBA Team Will Be Fire, Bigger Choices Loom

The WNBA’s 15th franchise is bringing back the Fire.
Alex Rodriguez
July 11, 2025

Finally in Charge, A-Rod Says Timberwolves Need New Arena

Rodriguez and Lore would like to repair team relations with Kevin Garnett.
May 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
exclusive
July 14, 2025

Celtics, Lakers Sales Not on Agenda for NBA Board of Governors Vote

The Board of Governors will meet Tuesday.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Alex Sarr
July 9, 2025

Wizards Pushing Limits of Youth With 11 Players on Rookie Deals

Washington’s 2025 first-round pick is top-eight protected.
July 9, 2025

From Dynasty to Disarray: Red Bull Fires Christian Horner

He served as Red Bull team principal for more than two decades.
Chelsea
July 8, 2025

Chelsea Club World Cup Run Banks at Least $100M for Mark Walter..

The Blues will likely take home between $100 million and $120 million.
July 8, 2025

Texas Sports Teams, Leagues Donate Over $5M to Flood Relief

NFL, MLB, and NBA teams in Texas donate to flood recovery efforts.