Earvin "Magic" Johnson was undoubtedly one of the best players in the NBA. His masterful decision-making and playmaking were some of the reasons the Los Angeles Lakers won multiple championships during the Magic era.
Using the same sharp mind outside basketball, Johnson wisely invested his wealth in ventures he felt would pay off in the long run. He started out with smaller businesses and eventually built a diverse portfolio.
Among his notable moves was joining the ownership group of the Washington Commanders. Unsurprisingly, Johnson set high expectations, making it clear that he wanted no less than a Super Bowl ring to prove his investment was worth it.
"I've gotten a [championship] ring in every sport, but I need a Super Bowl ring. And I would love to be the owner of the Commanders," Johnson said via The Washington Post .
Looking at his involvement in other sports, Johnson arguably has a point. He owns a stake with the Los Angeles Sparks that won the 2016 WNBA title.
In addition, he is a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, which won the 2020 World Series and the Los Angeles FC, which won the MLS Cup in 2022. Hence, the NFL is the only league in which Johnson has yet to savor success.
With his success in the NBA and other sports, Johnson clearly owns a philosophy that has helped teams succeed in any sport. The Commanders should be a great challenge as an NFL team needs change following the dubious management of former owner Dan Snyder.
After coming in mid-2023, the group led by Harris, with Johnson, has arguably shown progress. Coming off a subpar 2023 season, Washington turned a 4-13 record into a remarkable 12-5 card mark in 2024.
Aside from that 2024 record, which was the best the franchise has had in 33 years, the Commanders also secured a playoff berth and won a playoff game. This was a breakthrough, considering the team hadn't won in the postseason since 2005.
With their 2024 breakthrough, the Commanders are expected to ride on that momentum this 2025-26 season. They are off to a good start despite injuries to key players.
The key for the Commanders to have another fine season is to adjust to these problems. Coach Dan Quinn admits that injuries to important players are not an excuse, and it is his and the team's duty to adjust accordingly. Johnson will certainly applaud this mindset.
In his career, Magic had his share of similar problems of having to adjust, especially when key Lakers players were either out or not 100% ready. Johnson is no stranger to this situation and has taken it upon himself countless times to lead the Lakers.
Clearly, Magic knows what it takes to win and is confident the Commanders can do the same. With his legacy as a reference, it is undeniably a script that Washington can always look back on — a legendary career that earned the NBA icon a place in sports history.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
