Magic Johnson's sports ownership empire could be expanding back into the NBA, as a new report claims the Lakers legend has been making moves to launch an expansion team in Las Vegas.

The speculations began right after the NBA's Board of Governors agreed to explore the possibilities of expansion in Vegas and Seattle.

The murmur also got stronger after the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Mick Akers reported on Johnson having met with Governor Lombardo and others to discuss the same.

Excerpts from Akers' report read, "NBA legend Earvin 'Magic' Johnson met with Gov. Joe Lombardo and other civic leaders from Southern Nevada last month in a series of meetings regarding launching a formal pursuit of a Las Vegas NBA expansion team."

Akers also confirmed that Johnson was joined by members of the MAGI expansion group, including Andre Cleveland and Las Vegas businessman Mike Bellon. The trio reportedly was looking to secure the NBA expansion franchise, should things come through.

Magic Johnson addressed the possibility in a statement that read, "Las Vegas is my favorite home away from home, and I can’t think of a better place to expand my MJE (Magic Johnson Enterprises)"

"The numbers have to be right, and the league owners would require a lot from the commissioner, but if anyone could do it, it’s him. I’m not bragging; I’m just simply stating a fact that I have been doing this long before current and retired players," Johnson added.

That being said, here's a detailed overview of Magic Johnson's extensive sports ownership resume.

From Baseball to Esports - The Magic Johnson Arm has a Phenomenal Reach

The majority of Magic’s ownership is based in Los Angeles, and it started shortly after he sold his ownership in the Lakers.

He got his first ownership stake in 2012 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. With Mark Walter and Guggenheim Partners taking the majority share, Johnson also joined several other partners when Guggenheim bought the team for $2 billion from Frank McCourt.

Magic Johnson was also big in saving the LA Sparks as the team remained in troubled waters for over a decade before Magic teamed up with Guggenheim and others to form Sparks LA Sports, LLC, which later bought the team in 2014. 

In the same year, Johnson acquired minority ownership in Los Angeles FC. It was added to the MLS as part of the expansion.

Magic Johnson has two other ownership stakes in Washington. He is a minority owner in the NFL's Washington Commanders and the NWSL’s Washington Spirit.

Furthermore, Johnson is also part of aXiomatic, a sports management company that bought the esports franchise Team Liquid in 2016.

What do you think of Magic Johnson's move to secure an NBA expansion franchise? Let us know!

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Arvind Rao