Magic Johnson says he is “living in an answered prayer” after receiving unanimous votes to approve the sale of the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
As AfroTech previously told you, Johnson joined an investment group led by Josh Harris, co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, to place a bid for ownership of the NFL team in March 2023.
In May 2023, it was said that the deal was valued at $6.05 billion. Per NBC, this is the highest purchase for a North American professional sports franchise.
“God is so good…I still can’t believe it! I am currently living in an answered prayer,” Johnson wrote on Twitter. “Since beginning my journey as an athlete and now businessman and team owner, it’s all been a dream that has come full circle. I grew up playing football as a kid, I’m a huge NFL fan, and I watch games every week. Now, I get to co-own a storied franchise, the Washington Commanders.”
He continued, “I’m especially thankful to Josh Harris who allowed me to be one of his partners with the Commanders. He is an amazing man, great friend, incredible businessman, proven owner and winner with the Philadelphia 76ers. Josh and his team have been first class throughout this entire process. Our ownership team is committed to the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia community and fanbase to bring a winning team and best in class organization.”
God is so good…I still can’t believe it! I am currently living in an answered prayer. Since beginning my journey as an athlete and now businessman and team owner, it’s all been a dream that has come full circle. I grew up playing football as a kid, I’m a huge NFL fan, and I…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 20, 2023
Now, Johnson holds ownership across four professional sports leagues — the MLB, MLS, WNBA, and NFL.
With the Washington Commanders sale, Magic Johnson is now involved in ownership groups across four different leagues:
▪️ MLB
▪️ MLS
▪️ WNBA
▪️ NFL pic.twitter.com/JVltPPefUo— Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 21, 2023
Despite all that Johnson has achieved to build his empire, his ownership in the NFL is the most impactful, he says.
“This is truly the biggest achievement in my business career and a historic moment for the entire Black community,” Johnson said on Twitter. “Talk about God’s perfect timing. This was the right organization for me to be a part of given it’s global appeal, history of winning, and the diverse fanbase and DMV community. I have a special relationship with the DMV. Many people don’t know I’ve done business in the Washington, DC area for many years. I was one of the owners of the Washington Hilton, I built multiple Starbucks franchises and Magic Johnson Theaters, and empowerment centers with the Magic Johnson Foundation. I also have my company SodexoMAGIC headquartered here. The DMV community has embraced and supported me, and I am honored and ecstatic to be a co-owner of the Commanders franchise!”