Let's take a walk down memory lane. It's December 2022. Floyd Mayweather has just announced that he has "been working on buying an NBA team outright." The Southern Nevada resident had his eyes set on the proposed Las Vegas NBA franchise.

Fast forward to 2026, and it seems his heart is no longer set on it, as Mayweather shocked fans with his recent statement on how he no longer seeks ownership in the NBA. The remark came despite NBA governors being on board with the expansion plan to add teams to both Vegas and Seattle.

“In the past, I talked about owning an NBA team, but it looks like it’s a lot of stress in the NBA being an owner,” Floyd Mayweather said. “You see an owner get involved with the NBA, and he’s looking happy. Then as years progress, he’s looking older. So, I don’t know.”

Floyd Mayweather commented on his change of mind during an autograph signing at the MCM retail store at the Forum Shops of Caesars Palace. However, he added that he considered the buy-in fee of $7-10 billion a worthy investment.

"The way you look at that number, as far as in the NBA, the NFL or any sport, only thing numbers can do is go up,” Mayweather said.

With a $400 million net worth, Mayweather is the richest boxer in the world, and could've certainly leveraged his status for a minority stake in any team.

Having said that, an NBA Hall of Famer has thrown his hat in the ring, looking to secure an NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas.

Magic Johnson to Replace Floyd Mayweather in Bringing NBA to Vegas?

After 15 years, it seems like Magic Johnson is ready to make a comeback in the NBA, only this time in a different role.

Reports suggest that the Lakers legend is interested in an ownership stake in the expansion team in Las Vegas, per Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Akers' report revealed that the NBA legend has been actively working on the plan and that Johnson had met with Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and other key individuals to discuss his plan, including a new state-of-the-art arena on the Las Vegas Strip. 

That being said, the billionaire is not new to ownership in the NBA, as he previously held a minority stake in the Lakers up until 2010.

Furthermore, Johnson currently holds minority stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers, LA Sparks, Los Angeles FC, Washington Commanders, and the Washington Spirits in NWSL.

While the NBA aims for expansion in Vegas and Seattle, there is no certainty that both these cities will get their teams, as the league has yet to start reviewing applications.

However, given his impressive ownership resume, Magic Johnson should certainly be able to carve out an ownership stake for himself when the opportunity presents itself.

Do you think Floyd Mayweather was wrong in stepping away from the possibility of owning an NBA team? Let us know!

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan