Editing Magic Johnson (section)

== Personal life ==
[[File:Magic Johnson Mercedes-Benz Carousel of Hope Gala 2014 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Johnson with his wife, Cookie, in 2014]]
Johnson first fathered a son in 1981 when Andre Johnson was born to Melissa Mitchell. Although Andre was raised by his mother, he visited Johnson each summer, and later worked for [[Magic Johnson Enterprises]] as a marketing director.<ref name="espnticket">{{cite web |publisher=ESPN |last=Rovell |first=Darren|access-date=May 8, 2008 |date=October 8, 2005 |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=magic |title=Passing on the Magic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125192615/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=magic|archive-date=November 25, 2005}}</ref>

In 1991, Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly in a small wedding in Lansing which included guests Thomas, Aguirre, and [[Herb Williams]].<ref>Lazenby, [https://archive.org/details/showinsidestoryo00laze/page/281 p. 281].</ref> Johnson and Cookie have one son, [[EJ Johnson|Earvin III]] ("EJ"), who is [[homosexuality|openly gay]] and a star on the reality show ''[[Rich Kids of Beverly Hills]]''.<ref name="espnticket" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Earvin Johnson III, Magic Johnson's Gay Son, Goes Public With Boyfriend, Parents Very Proud (Video) |work=The Huffington Post |date=April 3, 2013 |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/02/earvin-johnson-iii-magic-johnson-gay-son-boyfriend_n_2998117.html?view=print&comm_ref=false|access-date=December 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404125045/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/02/earvin-johnson-iii-magic-Johnson-gay-son-boyfriend_n_2998117.html|archive-date=April 4, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The couple adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brozan |first=Nadine |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE2DA1438F935A15752C0A963958260 |title=Chronicle |work=The New York Times |date=January 26, 1995|access-date=May 8, 2008|archive-date=April 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417144154/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/26/style/chronicle-125595.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson resides in [[Beverly Hills]] and has a vacation home in [[Dana Point, California]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/magic-johnson-california-home |title=Magic Johnson's House in Southern California |last=Haldeman |first=Peter |magazine=Architectural Digest |date=December 2009|access-date=January 31, 2020|archive-date=August 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804193337/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/magic-johnson-california-home|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ryon |first=Ruth |title=Hot property: For Magic Johnson, Dana Point vacation home's a slam dunk |work=The Mercury News |date=November 21, 2007 |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/11/21/hot-property-for-magic-johnson-dana-point-vacation-homes-a-slam-dunk/|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516154746/https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/11/21/hot-property-for-magic-johnson-dana-point-vacation-homes-a-slam-dunk/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Johnson is a Christian<ref>{{cite web |title=Magic Johnson on Jeremy Lin: 'God is Good' |date=February 20, 2012 |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/magic-johnson-on-jeremy-lin-god-is-good-69882/|access-date=May 11, 2014|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517104807/https://www.christianpost.com/news/magic-johnson-on-jeremy-lin-god-is-good-69882/|url-status=live}}</ref> and has said his faith is "the most important thing" in his life.<ref>{{cite web |title=Magic Johnson Testifies His Christian Faith in God at Connecticut Huskies vs. Michigan State Spartans NCAA's March Madness 2014 Game |url=http://www.gospelherald.com/video/magic-johnson-testifies-his-christian-faith-in-god-at-connecticut-huskies-vs-michigan-state-spartans-ncaas-march-madness-2014-game-3635|access-date=May 11, 2014|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518074849/https://www.gospelherald.com/video/magic-johnson-testifies-his-christian-faith-in-god-at-connecticut-huskies-vs-michigan-state-spartans-ncaas-march-madness-2014-game-3635|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, Johnson and then-current and former NBA players such as [[LeBron James]], [[Dwyane Wade]], and [[Bill Russell]], as well as [[Maya Moore]] from the [[WNBA]], played a basketball game with President [[Barack Obama]] as an exhibition for a group of military troops who had been injured in action. The game was played at a gym inside [[Fort McNair]], and reporters covering the president were not allowed to enter. The basketball game was a part of other festivities organized to celebrate Obama's 49th birthday.<ref name=obama>{{Cite news |title=Magic Johnson, NBA all-stars join Obama, play hoops for troops |work=The Christian Science Monitor |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/From-the-news-wires/2010/0809/Magic-Johnson-NBA-all-stars-join-Obama-play-hoops-for-troops|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103190952/https://www.csmonitor.com/From-the-news-wires/2010/0809/Magic-Johnson-NBA-all-stars-join-Obama-play-hoops-for-troops|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Relationship with Jerry Buss ===
Johnson had a close relationship with Lakers owner [[Jerry Buss]], whom he saw as a mentor and father figure.<ref name=father>{{Cite web |title=Report: Johnson to became part owner of Lakers |work=Ocala Star-Banner |date=June 27, 1994 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4dFPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-gcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6886%2C4351985|access-date=December 10, 2024 |page=5B |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Calling Buss his "second father" and "one of [his] best friends", Johnson spent five hours visiting Buss at the hospital just a few months before his 2013 death from [[cancer]]. Speaking to media just hours after Buss had died, Johnson was emotional, saying, "Without Dr. Jerry Buss, there is no Magic."<ref name=jbuss>{{Cite news |last=Plaschke |first=Bill |date=February 19, 2013 |title=To Magic Johnson, Jerry Buss was friend, mentor and 'second father' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2013-feb-19-la-sp-magic-jerry-buss-20130219-story.html|access-date=January 3, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411085358/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2013-feb-19-la-sp-magic-jerry-buss-20130219-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Buss acquired the team from [[Jack Kent Cooke]] in 1979, shortly before he drafted Johnson with the #1 pick in the [[1979 NBA draft]]. Buss took a special interest in Johnson, introducing him to important Los Angeles business contacts and showing him how the Lakers organization was run, before eventually selling Johnson a stake in the team in 1994.<ref name=jbuss /> Johnson credits Buss with giving him the business knowledge that enabled him to become part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.<ref name=jbuss /><ref name=doctor>{{Cite web |title=Magic says Buss made him the man he is today |date=February 20, 2013 |url=https://apnews.com/article/e5d99a3a1d364a24affbd2022f531178|access-date=January 3, 2023 |publisher=Associated Press |language=en|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411085355/https://apnews.com/article/e5d99a3a1d364a24affbd2022f531178|url-status=live}}</ref>

Buss supported Johnson as he revealed his diagnosis of HIV in 1991, and he never hesitated to keep Johnson close to the organization, bringing him in as part-owner, and even as a coach. Johnson had never seriously considered coaching, but he agreed to take the head coaching position with the Lakers in 1994 at Buss' request. In 1992, Buss had given Johnson a contract that paid him $14 million a year, as payback for all the years he was not the league's highest-paid player. Although Johnson's retirement prior to the [[1992–93 NBA season]] voided this contract, Buss insisted that he still be paid.<ref name=jbuss /> It was this arrangement that allowed Johnson to coach the team without receiving any additional salary.<ref name=brief /><ref name=father /> 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.<ref name=jbuss />

=== Media figure and business interests ===
[[File:MagicJ3GRBHous-25apr13.jpg|right|thumb|Johnson giving a speech at the [[George R. Brown Convention Center]] in 2013]]
In 1997, his production company Magic Johnson Entertainment signed a deal with Fox.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Michael |date=February 12, 1997 |title=Fox hopes to create pix Magic |url=https://variety.com/1997/voices/columns/fox-hopes-to-create-pix-magic-1117435973/|access-date=November 22, 2020 |website=Variety|archive-date=October 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004104239/https://variety.com/1997/voices/columns/fox-hopes-to-create-pix-magic-1117435973/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1998, Johnson hosted a late night talk show on the [[Fox network]] called ''[[The Magic Hour (talk show)|The Magic Hour]]'', but the show was canceled after two months because of low [[Nielsen ratings|ratings]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803EFD8103BF93BA3575BC0A96E958260 |title='Magic Hour' Canceled |work=The New York Times |date=August 8, 1998|access-date=May 8, 2008|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308031949/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/08/arts/magic-hour-canceled.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after the cancellation of his talk show, Johnson started a record label. The label, initially called Magic 32 Records, was renamed Magic Johnson Music when Johnson signed a [[joint venture]] with [[MCA Records|MCA]] in 2000. Magic Johnson Music signed R&B artist [[Avant (singer)|Avant]] as its first act.<ref name=magicmusic>{{cite web |last1=Hochman |first1=Steve |title=Magic Johnson Gives His Label an Assist |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-13-ca-63775-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 17, 2022 |date=February 13, 2000 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308025105/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-13-ca-63775-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=firstact>{{Cite web |title=The Biography of Avant |url=https://www.poemhunter.com/lyrics/avant/biography/|access-date=June 4, 2013 |website=Poem Hunter |language=en-us|archive-date=June 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605015641/http://www.poemhunter.com/lyrics/avant/biography/|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson also [[Concert promoter|co-promoted]] [[Janet Jackson]]'s [[Velvet Rope Tour]] through his company Magicworks.<ref name=velvet>{{cite web |title=Magic Johnson Starts Own Record Label |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-10-07-9810070152-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=May 17, 2022 |date=October 7, 1998 |archive-date=May 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517195139/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-10-07-9810070152-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He has also worked as a [[motivational speaker]],<ref name=mot /> and was an NBA commentator for [[Turner Network Television]] for seven years,<ref>{{cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |title=Sports Briefing – Pro Basketball; Magic Johnson Signs With ESPN |work=The New York Times |date=October 14, 2008 |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9803E2DF163DF937A25753C1A96E9C8B63.html|access-date=May 17, 2022|archive-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517195139/https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9803E2DF163DF937A25753C1A96E9C8B63.html|url-status=live}}</ref> before becoming a studio analyst for ESPN's ''[[NBA Countdown]]'' in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3642500 |title=Magic Johnson joins ESPN, ABC as NBA studio analyst |date=October 13, 2008 |publisher=ESPN|access-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222025248/http://espnmediazone.com/press_releases/2008_10_oct/20081013_MagicJohnsonJoinsESPNasNBAStudioAnalyst.htm|archive-date=December 22, 2008}}</ref>

Johnson runs [[Magic Johnson Enterprises]], a [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] that has a net worth of $700&nbsp;million;<ref name="espnticket" /> 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.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1998/10/07/musical-magic |title=Musical Magic? |last=Walk |first=Gary Eng |date=October 7, 1998 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222221931/http://ew.com/ew/article/0,,83770,00.html|archive-date=December 22, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition to these business ventures, Johnson has also created the ''Magic Card'', a [[Stored-value card|pre-paid]] [[MasterCard]] aimed at helping low-income people save money and participate in [[electronic commerce]].<ref name=onlymagic>[https://www.onlymagiccard.com/ "The Magic Card."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511053755/https://www.onlymagiccard.com/ |date=May 11, 2013 }} ''www.onlymagiccard.com.'' Retrieved May 30, 2017.</ref> In 2006, Johnson created a contract food service with [[Sodexo]] USA called Sodexo-Magic.<ref name=sodexo>{{Cite web |date=May 15, 2010 |title=About us – Sodexo Magic |website=sodexomagic.com |url=http://www.sodexomagic.com/company.html|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515110404/http://www.sodexomagic.com/company.html |archive-date=May 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Elan, Elissa |title=Magic Johnson on his growing foodservice business |url=http://nrn.com/article/magic-johnson-his-growing-foodservice-business |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210094012/http://nrn.com/article/magic-johnson-his-growing-foodservice-business |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 10, 2012 |work=nrn.com |date=December 8, 2009 |access-date=May 9, 2017}}</ref> In 2004, Johnson and his partner Ken Lombard sold Magic Johnson Theaters to [[Loews Cineplex Entertainment]]. The first Magic Johnson Theater located in the [[Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza]], closed in 2010 and re-opened in 2011 as [[Rave Cinemas|Rave Cinema]] 15.<ref name=rave>{{Cite news |last=Vincent |first=Roger |date=June 28, 2011 |title=Former Magic Johnson Theaters reopens as Rave Cinemas |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/money-company/story/2011-06-28/former-magic-johnson-theaters-reopens-as-rave-cinemas|access-date=January 3, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103190951/https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/money-company/story/2011-06-28/former-magic-johnson-theaters-reopens-as-rave-cinemas|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, Johnson launched a cable TV network called [[Aspire (TV network)|Aspire]], featuring programming targeted at black audiences, similar to networks such as [[Black Entertainment Television]] (BET) and [[TV One (American TV channel)|TV One]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Braxton |first1=Greg |last2=James |first2=Meg |title=Laker legend to launch a TV network |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 21, 2012 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-feb-21-la-fi-ct-magic-johnson-20120221-story.html|access-date=January 22, 2021|archive-date=April 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416022904/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-feb-21-la-fi-ct-magic-johnson-20120221-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Johnson began thinking of life after basketball while still playing for the Lakers. He wondered why so many athletes had failed at business, and sought advice. During his seventh season in the NBA, he had a meeting with [[Michael Ovitz]], CEO of Creative Artists Agency. Ovitz encouraged him to start reading business magazines and to use every connection available to him. Johnson learned everything he could about business, often meeting with corporate executives during road trips.<ref name=ovitz>{{Cite magazine |title=Magic Touch: Magic Johnson's Fast Break Into Business |magazine=Success |url=http://www.success.com/articles/1127-magic-johnson-s-fast-break-into-business|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004004907/http://www.success.com/articles/1127-magic-johnson-s-fast-break-into-business |archive-date=October 4, 2012}}</ref> Johnson's first foray into business, a [[high-end]] sporting goods store named Magic 32,<ref name=ovitz /> failed after only one year, costing him $200,000.<ref name=starbucks /> The experience taught him to listen to his customers and find out what products they wanted. Johnson has become a leading voice on how to invest in urban communities, creating [[redevelopment]] opportunities in underserved areas, most notably through his movie theaters and his [[partnership]] with Starbucks. He went to [[Starbucks]] CEO [[Howard Schultz]] with the idea that he could successfully open the coffee shops in urban areas. After showing Schultz the tremendous buying power of minorities, Johnson was able to purchase 125 Starbucks stores, which reported higher than average per capita sales.<ref name=starbucks>{{Cite web |title=Magic Johnson Offers Business Wisdom |website=Precinct Reporter |url=http://www.precinctreporter.com/national-news/business-a-finance/64-business-a-finance/807-magic-johnson-offers-business-wisdom|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804101731/http://www.precinctreporter.com/national-news/business-a-finance/64-business-a-finance/807-magic-johnson-offers-business-wisdom |archive-date=August 4, 2010}}</ref> The partnership, called Urban Coffee Opportunities, placed Starbucks in locations such as [[Detroit]], Washington, D.C., [[Harlem]], and the [[Crenshaw District]] of Los Angeles. Johnson sold his remaining interest in the stores back to the company in 2010, ending a successful twelve-year partnership.<ref name=sale>{{Cite web |title=Starbucks Acquires Remaining Interest in Magic Johnson Enterprises' Urban Coffee Opportunities (UCO) |work=Starbucks Stories |date=October 21, 2010 |url=https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2010/starbucks-acquires-remaining-interest-in-magic-johnson-enterprises-urban-co/|access-date=January 3, 2023 |publisher=Starbucks |language=en-us|archive-date=December 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223021254/https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2010/starbucks-acquires-remaining-interest-in-magic-johnson-enterprises-urban-co/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=lakerblog>{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Brad |date=October 19, 2010 |title=Magic Johnson sells his 105 Starbucks franchises |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2010/10/magic-johnson-sells-his-starbucks-franchises.html|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212040210/http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2010/10/magic-johnson-sells-his-starbucks-franchises.html |archive-date=February 12, 2013}}</ref> He has also made investments in urban real estate through the Canyon-Johnson and Yucaipa-Johnson funds.<ref>{{cite news |last=Llovio |first=Louis |title=Magic Johnson wows the crowd and talks minority-owned businesses |work=Richmond Times-Dispatch |date=September 27, 2012 |url=https://www.richmond.com/business/magic-johnson-wows-the-crowd-and-talks-minority-owned-businesses/article_9135bb5a-7922-5bb9-8c9d-8cd21fe50a13.html|access-date=February 22, 2019|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308152255/https://www.richmond.com/_services/v1/client_captcha/challenge?request=X2xiX3JhdGVfZm9yZWlnbjpMMkoxYzJsdVpYTnpMMjFoWjJsakxXcHZhRzV6YjI0dGQyOTNjeTEwYUdVdFkzSnZkMlF0WVc1a0xYUmhiR3R6TFcxcGJtOXlhWFI1TFc5M2JtVmtMV0oxYzJsdVpYTnpaWE12WVhKMGFXTnNaVjg1TVRNMVltSTFZUzAzT1RJeUxUVmlZamt0T0dNNVpDMDRZMlF5TVdabE5UQmhNVE11YUhSdGJBOjE2MTUyMTY5NzY6MHhlMjgzNTJhYzE0OWU1M2Y0MWU4YjMwZThmMTkyMmI1MjNiNTVmOTM0|url-status=live}}</ref> Another major project is with insurance services company Aon Corp.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-20/magic-johnson-criticizes-lebron-james-says-he-wouldn-t-have-joined-bird.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723102747/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-20/magic-johnson-criticizes-lebron-james-says-he-wouldn-t-have-joined-bird.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 23, 2010 |title=Magic Johnson Says He Wouldn't Have Joined Bird After LeBron James's Move |publisher=Bloomberg |date=July 20, 2010 |access-date=May 9, 2017 |first=Barry |last=Rothbard}}</ref> In 2005–2007, Johnson was a part of a syndicate that bought the [[Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower]], then the tallest building in [[Brooklyn]], for $71 million and converted the 512-foot high landmark structure from an office building into luxury condominiums.<ref>{{cite news |last=Son |first=Hugh |title=Bank On Condos: NBA Great In $71M Tower Deal |work=New York Daily News |date=May 18, 2005 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/bank-condos-nba-great-71m-tower-deal-article-1.604138|access-date=December 23, 2017|archive-date=March 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327093841/https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/bank-condos-nba-great-71m-tower-deal-article-1.604138|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Greenberg |first=Andy |title=Manhattan-style condos come to Fort Greene |magazine=The Real Deal |date=October 29, 2007 |url=https://therealdeal.com/issues_articles/manhattan-style-condos-come-to-fort-greene/|access-date=December 23, 2017|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514132438/https://therealdeal.com/issues_articles/manhattan-style-condos-come-to-fort-greene/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''[[Forbes]]'', Johnson became a [[The World's Billionaires|billionaire]] in 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/magic-johnson-becomes-fourth-athlete-billionaire-lakers-icon-joins-michael-jordan-lebron-james-tiger-woods/ |title=Magic Johnson becomes fourth athlete billionaire: Lakers icon joins Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tiger Woods |website=[[CBS Sports]] |last=Gonzalez |first=Isabel |date=October 30, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109204246/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/magic-johnson-becomes-fourth-athlete-billionaire-lakers-icon-joins-michael-jordan-lebron-james-tiger-woods/ |url-status=live}}</ref> making him one of the [[List of celebrities by net worth|richest celebrities]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Martin|first=Devin Sean|title=The World's Celebrity Billionaires 2024|magazine=Forbes|date=April 3, 2024|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/devinseanmartin/2024/04/02/the-worlds-celebrity-billionaires-2024-taylor-swift-kim-kardashian-oprah/|access-date=January 11, 2025}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gray |first1=Kathy |title=Magic Johnson buys into D.C.-area Pepsi bottling operation |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/07/25/Magic-Johnson-buys-into-DC-area-Pepsi-bottling-operation/8509648878400/ |publisher=United Press International |access-date=June 12, 2020 |date=July 25, 1990 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308141035/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/07/25/Magic-Johnson-buys-into-DC-area-Pepsi-bottling-operation/8509648878400/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson became a minority owner of the Lakers in 1994, having reportedly paid more than $10&nbsp;million for part ownership. He also held the title of team vice president.<ref name="johnson">{{Cite magazine |title=Magic Johnson Becomes Part Owner of Lakers |magazine=Jet Magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8boDAAAAMBAJ&q=magic%2520johnson |date=July 18, 1994 |page=46|access-date=April 24, 2022 |language=en|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411085400/https://books.google.com/books?id=8boDAAAAMBAJ&q=magic%20johnson|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson sold his ownership stake in the Lakers in October 2010 to [[Patrick Soon-Shiong]], a Los Angeles surgeon and professor at [[UCLA]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5700193 |title=Magic Johnson sells Lakers shares |date=October 18, 2010 |publisher=ESPN|access-date=May 17, 2022|archive-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517195139/https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5700193|url-status=live}}</ref> but continued as an unpaid vice president of the team.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bresnahan |first=Mike |title=Magic Johnson would be interested in buying Clippers, source says |date=April 28, 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-magic-johnson-clippers-20140428-story.html|access-date=December 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508171349/http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-magic-johnson-clippers-20140428-story.html|archive-date=May 8, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2017, Johnson returned to the Lakers as an advisor to Jeanie Buss.<ref>{{cite web |title=Magic Johnson to Advise Team Ownership |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/170202-magic-johnson-advise-ownership |publisher=NBA|access-date=February 2, 2017 |date=February 2, 2017 |quote=The Los Angeles Lakers today announced that Earvin "Magic" Johnson will return to the Lakers to assist Jeanie Buss in all areas of basketball and business as an advisor.|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507225842/https://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/170202-magic-johnson-advise-ownership|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the wake of the [[Donald Sterling]] controversy, limited media reports indicated that Johnson had expressed an interest in purchasing the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] franchise.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/magic-trick-johnson-group-buy-dodgers-article-1.1771433 |title=Magic Johnson reportedly interested in buying Clippers, NBA plans Tuesday press conference on Donald Sterling investigation |work=New York Daily News |date=April 28, 2014 |access-date=May 1, 2014 |author=Botte, Peter |location=New York |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413052938/https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/magic-trick-johnson-group-buy-dodgers-article-1.1771433 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Magic Johnson buys life insurance company |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/06/23/magic-johnson-equitrust-life-insurance/29155157/ |website=USA Today|access-date=June 23, 2015 |date=June 23, 2015|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308195622/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/06/23/magic-johnson-equitrust-life-insurance/29155157/|url-status=live}}</ref>

He is an investor for aXiomatic eSports, the ownership company of [[Team Liquid]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tl.net/forum/general/514345-wizards-warriors-and-magic-a-strategic-partnership |title=Wizards, Warriors, and Magic: A Strategic Partnership |website=TLnet|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103191030/https://tl.net/forum/general/514345-wizards-warriors-and-magic-a-strategic-partnership|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Politics ===
[[File:Magic Johnson and Nancy Pelosi.jpg|thumb|alt=A middle-aged Caucasian woman shakes the hand of a tall black man.|In 2003, Johnson met with [[Nancy Pelosi]] to discuss federal assistance for those with [[AIDS]].]]
Johnson is a supporter of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. In 2006, he publicly endorsed [[Phil Angelides]] for [[Governor of California]].<ref>Finnegan, Michael. {{cite web |title=Magic Johnson backs Angelides for Governor |website=Angelides |url=http://www.angelides.com/news/philinthenews/2005_1129_magic.html |date=November 29, 2005|access-date=September 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222073941/http://www.angelides.com/news/philinthenews/2005_1129_magic.html|archive-date=December 22, 2007}}</ref> He supported [[Hillary Clinton]] during her [[Hillary Clinton 2008 presidential campaign|2008 presidential campaign]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-12-18-magic-clinton_N.htm |title=Magic Johnson, Bill Clinton team up for Hillary |date=December 20, 2007 |work=USA Today|access-date=May 10, 2008|archive-date=February 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210141256/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-12-18-magic-clinton_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2010, he endorsed [[Barbara Boxer]] in her [[2010 United States Senate election in California|race for re-election]] to the [[U.S. Senate]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2010 |title=Magic Johnson Backing Barbara Boxer for US Senate |work=Third Age |url=http://www.thirdage.com/news/magic-johnson-backing-barbara-boxer-us-senate_8-11-2010|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818033102/http://www.thirdage.com/news/magic-johnson-backing-barbara-boxer-us-senate_8-11-2010 |archive-date=August 18, 2010}}</ref> In 2012, he endorsed [[Barack Obama]] for president.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2012 |title=Magic Johnson Endorses President Barack Obama |url=https://majicatl.com/1473613/magic-johnson-endorses-president-barack-obama-audio/|access-date=January 3, 2023 |publisher=WAMJ |language=en-US|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103190955/https://majicatl.com/1473613/magic-johnson-endorses-president-barack-obama-audio/|url-status=live}}</ref> He endorsed and appeared in campaign ads for unsuccessful Los Angeles mayoral candidate [[Wendy Greuel]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mehta |first=Seema |date=March 28, 2013 |title=Magic Johnson endorses Wendy Greuel for L.A. mayor |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-xpm-2013-mar-28-la-me-ln-magic-johnson-endorses-greuel-20130328-story.html|access-date=January 3, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411090349/https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-xpm-2013-mar-28-la-me-ln-magic-johnson-endorses-greuel-20130328-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, he once again endorsed Hillary Clinton in [[Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign|her second presidential campaign]].<ref>{{cite tweet |user=magicjohnson |number=587360411437158402 |date=April 12, 2015 |title=I feel @HillaryClinton will be a great President for the American people and she will make sure that everyone has a voice! |access-date=June 20, 2016}}</ref> He hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign on August 22, 2016.<ref name="Fundraiser">{{cite news |title=Hillary Clinton Fundraisers Coming to Beverly Hills |url=http://bhcourier.com/beverly-hills-news-hillary-clinton-fundraisers-coming-to-beverly-hills/|access-date=August 9, 2023 |work=The Beverly Hills Courier |date=August 3, 2016|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225041349/https://beverlyhillscourier.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== HIV activism ===
{{Blockquote
|text=I think sometimes we think, "Well, only gay people can get it; it's not going to happen to me", and here I am saying that it can happen to anybody.
|author=Magic Johnson (November 7, 1991)<ref>{{cite AV media |people=Magic Johnson |date=November 7, 1991 |title=Magic Johnson HIV announcement |type=Press conference video |language=English |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbdOQUARrEU | access-date = July 30, 2023 |time=4:22ff. |location=Los Angeles |publisher=CNN | archive-date = July 30, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230730125930/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbdOQUARrEU | url-status = live}}</ref>
}}
Johnson was one of the first sports stars to go public about having HIV.<ref>{{cite web |title=Magic Johnson announces he is HIV-positive |url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/magic-johnson-announces-he-is-hiv-positive |website=History |date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=July 30, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730123256/https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/magic-johnson-announces-he-is-hiv-positive |url-status=live}}</ref> [[AIDS]] activist [[Elizabeth Glaser]], to whom Johnson had been introduced by a friend,<ref name="SMFrontline" /> convinced Johnson to go public about his diagnosis.<ref name="SMFrontline" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Genet |first=Danielle |title=Cookie Johnson: 'I Fell to My Knees' When Magic Revealed His HIV Diagnosis |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/cookie-johnson-fell-knees-magic-revealed-hiv-diagnosis/story?id=42141924 |access-date=July 30, 2023 |work=ABC News |date=September 20, 2016 |language=en |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730114702/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/cookie-johnson-fell-knees-magic-revealed-hiv-diagnosis/story?id=42141924 |url-status=live}}</ref> "She made me promise before she died that I would become the face of the disease and really go out and help people and educate people about it", Johnson recalled in a 2011 interview with ''[[Frontline (American TV program)|Frontline]]''.<ref name="SMFrontline">{{cite news |last=Moughty |first=Sarah |title=20 Years After HIV Announcement, Magic Johnson Emphasizes: "I Am Not Cured" |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/20-years-after-hiv-announcement-magic-johnson-emphasizes-i-am-not-cured/ |access-date=July 30, 2023 |work=Frontline |publisher=PBS |date=November 7, 2011 |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730113820/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/20-years-after-hiv-announcement-magic-johnson-emphasizes-i-am-not-cured/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

After announcing his infection in November 1991, Johnson created the [[Magic Johnson Foundation]] to help combat HIV,<ref name="lifeafterdeath">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/vault/2001/08/20/309211/magic-johnson-life-after-death |title=Life After Death |last=McCallum |first=Jack |date=August 20, 2001 |magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=April 28, 2019|archive-date=March 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315035216/https://vault.si.com/vault/2001/08/20/magic-johnson-life-after-death|url-status=live}}</ref> although he later diversified the foundation to include other charitable goals.<ref name="espnaids">{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/gen/s/2001/1105/1274006.html |title=AIDS community misses old Magic act |last=Farrey |first=Tom |date=November 7, 2001 |publisher=ESPN|access-date=May 15, 2008|archive-date=April 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419021910/http://espn.go.com/gen/s/2001/1105/1274006.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1992, he joined the [[National Commission on AIDS]], a committee appointed by members of [[United States Congress|Congress]] and the [[George H.W. Bush|Bush Administration]]. Johnson left after eight months, saying that the [[White House]] had "utterly ignored" the work of the panel, and had opposed the commission's recommendations, which included [[universal healthcare]] and the expansion of [[Medicaid]] to cover all low-income people with AIDS.<ref name="lifeafterdeath" /><ref name=quits>{{Cite news |title='Disappointed' Magic Johnson quits AIDS commission |date=September 26, 1992 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1992-09-26-1992270001-story.html|access-date=January 3, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |agency=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103190955/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1992-09-26-1992270001-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also the main speaker for the [[United Nations]] (UN) [[World AIDS Day]] Conference in 1999,<ref name="espnaids" /> and has served as a [[United Nations Messenger of Peace]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/16/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-greatest-is-honored-by-the-diplomat.html |title=The Greatest Is Honored by The Diplomat |last=Rhoden |first=William C. |date=September 16, 1998 |work=The New York Times|access-date=May 17, 2022|archive-date=February 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210141420/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/16/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-greatest-is-honored-by-the-diplomat.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

HIV had been associated with intravenous drug users and homosexuals,<ref name="lifeafterdeath" /> but Johnson's campaigns sought to show that the risk of infection was not limited to those groups. Johnson stated that his aim was to "help educate all people about what [HIV] is about" and teach others not to "discriminate against people who have HIV and AIDS".<ref name="espnaids" /> Johnson was later criticized by the AIDS community for his decreased involvement in publicizing the spread of the disease.<ref name="lifeafterdeath" /><ref name="espnaids" />

A number of research papers have been written on the "Magic Johnson effect", the effect Johnson's HIV announcement had on various populations, particularly those outside the stereotypes of who got infected with HIV – that is, heterosexuals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brennan |first1=Matt |title=How Magic Johnson's HIV diagnosis changed the conversation about AIDS in America |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-05-01/winning-time-hbo-magic-johnson-hiv-aids-epidemic |access-date=July 30, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 2, 2022 |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730123255/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-05-01/winning-time-hbo-magic-johnson-hiv-aids-epidemic |url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson's announcement was a "[[public health|public-health]] catalyst", according to a [[West Virginia University]] paper,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hadhazy |first1=Adam |last2=Gordon |first2=Jonathan |title=How has Magic Johnson survived with HIV? |url=https://www.livescience.com/16909-magic-johnson-hiv-aids-anniversary.html |access-date=July 30, 2023 |work=livescience.com |date=August 24, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730123256/https://www.livescience.com/16909-magic-johnson-hiv-aids-anniversary.html |url-status=live}}</ref> "rapidly correcting the public's understanding of who was at risk of infection".<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Cardazzi |first1=Alexander |last2=Martin |first2=Joshua C. |last3=Rodriguez |first3=Zachary |date=September 2023 |title=Information shocks and celebrity exposure: The effect of "Magic" Johnson on AIDS diagnoses and mortality in the U.S. |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hec.4712 |journal=Health Economics |language=en |volume=32 |issue=9 |pages=2047–2079 |doi=10.1002/hec.4712 |pmid=37292004 |issn=1057-9230 |access-date=May 1, 2024 |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223123445/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hec.4712 |url-status=live|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The paper argues there was a "large but temporary increase in the number of AIDS diagnoses for heterosexual men following the announcement" and suggests that, for some of those people, Johnson's announcement "prolonged patients' lifespans as a result of earlier access to medical care".<ref name="ACJCMZR">{{cite journal |last1=Cardazzi |first1=Alexander |last2=Martin |first2=Joshua C. |last3=Rodriguez |first3=Zachary |title="Information Avoidance and Celebrity Exposure: The Effect of "Magic" Johnson on AIDS Diagnoses and Mortality in the U.S. |journal=Economics Faculty Working Papers Series |date=2021 |issue=57 |url=https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1054&context=econ_working-papers |access-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730123257/https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1054&context=econ_working-papers |url-status=live}}</ref> A paper published in ''[[AIDS Education and Prevention]]'' found that "the announcement by Magic Johnson that he had been infected with HIV was associated with increased concern about HIV and with attitude and behavior changes that would lead to reduced risk".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Langer |first1=LM |last2=Zimmerman |first2=RS |last3=Hendershot |first3=EF |last4=Singh |first4=M |title=Effect of Magic Johnson's HIV status on HIV-related attitudes and behaviors of an STD clinic population. |journal=AIDS Education and Prevention |date=1992 |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=295–307 |pmid=1472415}}</ref>

To prevent his HIV infection from progressing to AIDS, Johnson takes a daily combination of [[antiretroviral drugs]], blocking and containing the virus.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hadhazy |first1=Adam |last2=Gordon |first2=Jonathan |date=August 24, 2022 |title=How has Magic Johnson survived with HIV? |url=https://www.livescience.com/16909-magic-johnson-hiv-aids-anniversary.html |access-date=November 4, 2024 |website=livescience.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dador |first=Denise |title=Big medical advances seen 25 years after Magic Johnson's AIDS diagnosis |date=November 8, 2016 |url=https://abc7.com/magic-johnson-hiv-aids-medicine/1595575/ |access-date=November 4, 2024 |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |language=en}}</ref> He has advertised [[GlaxoSmithKline]]'s drugs,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/drugs/2003-01-20-magic-glaxo_x.htm |title=Magic Johnson assists drugmaker to advertise HIV treatment |date=January 20, 2003 |work=USA Today|access-date=February 17, 2009|archive-date=February 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210141139/http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/drugs/2003-01-20-magic-glaxo_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and partnered with [[Abbott Laboratories]] to publicize the fight against AIDS in African American communities.<ref name="misperception">{{cite news |last=Sternberg |first=Steve |date=November 30, 2006 |title=Magic Johnson combats AIDS misperceptions |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-11-30-magic-aids_x.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722213530/https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-11-30-magic-aids_x.htm |archive-date=July 22, 2009 |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=USA Today}}</ref>