Magic Johnson has a lofty list of teams that he has an ownership stake in — and he’s open to adding a New York franchise to it.
Among them are Commanders, Dodgers, Sparks and Los Angeles FC, but there is only one NBA team he’d ever consider buying a piece of.
The New York Knicks.
During an appearance at a YMCA in New York, Johnson told the Associated Press that the Knicks were the “only team I would actually probably think about” owning or being part of an ownership group.
Johnson, 64, of course, became an NBA legend with the Lakers and his love of the team has prevented him from considering any other ownership opportunities in the league.
Johnson told the AP that he has turned down ownership opportunities with the Warriors, Pistons and Hawks in the past.
The Lakers legend said he hadn’t had any conversations with Knicks owner James Dolan and hadn’t been pursuing any ownership opportunity with the Knicks.
However, he found the possibility intriguing for various reasons.
“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,” Johnson said. “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.”
Dolan, the longtime Knicks, Rangers and MSG boss, said last week to the New York Times that he doesn’t “really like owning teams.”
“Basically every fan thinks of themselves as the owner/general manager,” Dolan added.
Adding later: “Being a professional sports owner in New York, you’re not beloved until you’re dead.”
While Johnson mentioned his intrigue about the possibility, he didn’t seem to have any plans involving the NBA other than to continue to cheer on his beloved Lakers.