Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr.'s million-dollar smile made him a star on and off the basketball court. He was the face of the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s and 1990s.
Johnson first came to national attention while playing at Michigan State University. The 1979 NCAA Tournament Final featuring Johnson against Larry Bird of Indiana State University was one of the most-watched college basketball games in television history.
The 1979 NBA Finals weren't even broadcast live before both stars entered the league, but Johnson and Bird made the NBA must-see viewing and helped bring the league from tape-delayed broadcasts to mainstream national attention.
Johnson stunned the sports world when he announced his retirement from the NBA due to contracting HIV. He was, perhaps, the most recognizable face to get the virus and because of this, he helped start honest conversations about HIV/AIDS. He also donated money and his time to different charities and fought to end Proposition 8, which would outlaw same-sex marriage, in California.
Like many athletes, Johnson made a few comeback attempts before calling it quits in 1996, but not before playing for the "Dream Team" in the 1992 Olympics. Even before thinking of retirement, Johnson was thinking about life post basketball.
Early in his career, the Hall of Fame point guard knew he wanted to be a successful businessman when he was done playing basketball. Through Magic Johnson Enterprises, Johnson invested in businesses such as Starbucks, movie theaters and Burger King.
Johnson was part owner of the Lakers for a brief time as well. In October 2010, he sold his stake in the team and Starbucks to move on to more ventures.
In 2012, Johnson was part of a group that bought the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he has been working to get an L.A. team in the NFL. Johnson also recently joined female soccer star Mia Hamm in bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to L.A. and was part of a group that now owns the LA Sparks of the Women's NBA.
The former basketball star, entrepreneur and philanthropist will be on the Jackson State campus (1400 John R. Lynch St.) Tuesday, Nov. 4. He will speak to students enrolled in the JSU Entrepreneur program in College of Business from noon to 12:20 p.m.
Johnson will then speak to the JSU student body from 12:45 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rose E. McCoy auditorium. The events are a chance to hear from one of the most successful businessmen in the country.
For more information, please contact: Olivia S Goodheart, director of public relations at 601-979-1483, [email protected] or Jim Ewing, media specialist. at 601-979-2950, [email protected].
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