There is one team on Magic Johnson’s radar for ownership outside of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Associated Press reports Johnson has interest in the New York Knicks.
“I think it would be intriguing,” Johnson said, per the outlet. “The only team I would actually probably think about is the New York Knicks.”
Johnson had initially had purchased stake in the Los Angeles Lakers in 1994 for a reported $10 million, per ESPN. In 2010, he sold his stake to Patrick Soon-Shiong, who had been a long-time season-ticket holder.
Since then, Johnson’s admiration for the Lakers has prevented him from owning any other franchise until now.
Additionally, Johnson says he has turned down ownership in teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawk.
So what is unique about New York Knicks? For Johnson, it is all about the enthusiasm and dedication their fans have for the team.
“I think because of the way fans love basketball you might have to think about that one, because I love coming to New York and going to the Garden and watching the Knicks play,” the Lakers legend told The Associated Press. “I love being with fans who are so passionate about their team and the Knick fans are, and they’re smart. They’re smart basketball fans, and so that one I would have to think about. I think that other than that, I would probably never think about ever being a part of another franchise.”
As of now, Johnson is simply speaking the venture into existence. He has not had conversations with Madison Square Garden Executive Chairman James Dolan. Instead, he is enjoying his current post as a sports enthusiast and Lakers fan.
He had previously served as the Lakers’ president of basketball operations before stepping down in 2019, according to the NBA.
“That one you would really have to think about, in terms of being a minority owner of that team,” he explained to The Associated Press when referencing The Knicks. “But other than that, I would just stay with the Lakers and even with my role now, just being a fan, I’m happy just doing that with the Lakers because, again, I bleed purple and gold.”
