Magic Johnson
Perhaps best known as a National Basketball Association (NBA) legend, two-time Hall of Famer, and Olympic Gold Medalist, Earvin “Magic” Johnson has enjoyed an equally successful second career in business. He is a Major League Baseball owner, an Entrepreneur, a Philanthropist and a Motivational Speaker, successfully parlaying his skills and tenacity on the court into the business world, propelling his company to the status of #1 Brand in Urban America.
Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE), Mr. Johnson’s company provides high quality products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and underserved urban communities through strategic alliances, investments, consulting and endorsements.
The conglomerate is comprised of multiple business entities and partnerships which includes Yucaipa Johnson, a $500 million dollar private equity fund; EquiTrust Financial Services, a fixed annuities and life insurance services company; SodexoMAGIC, a food service and facilities management company; ASPIRE, an African-American television network; The Marvel Experience, a virtual 3-D attraction centered around Marvel characters; Los Angeles Football Club, a new Major League Soccer team; and Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academies, a high school drop-out prevention program.
In the business world Mr. Johnson is most noted for his unprecedented Starbucks partnership, which served as the catalyst for redevelopment in urban communities and is literally the blueprint for Corporate America’s engagement and success with urban consumers.
In 2010, the savvy businessman divested his Starbucks, and Los Angeles Lakers shares in excess of $100 million dollars.Mr. Johnson in 2012, as a member of Guggenheim Baseball Management (GBM), became an owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a Major League Baseball Franchise. In 2014, Mr. Johnson with some of the partners from GBM purchased the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. Mr. Johnson also serves as Chairman and Founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation, where his unwavering commitment to transform Urban America continues through HIV/AIDS Awareness & Prevention Programs, Community Empowerment Centers, and the Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program. Celebrating over 20 years of success, the Magic Johnson Foundation has become one of the most recognizable philanthropic organizations around the world. Magic Johnson is one of the most requested Motivation Speakers with a celebrity sports emphasis.