Magic Johnson wasted no time making his stance clear on the Lakers’ new ownership group.
After Bob Iger and Josh Kushner agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers in a record-breaking $12 billion deal, Johnson went on X to salute the pair and make it plain that he thinks the franchise is in strong hands.
“I want to congratulate my good friend Bob Iger and Josh Kushner on their purchase of the Los Angeles Lakers!”
“Laker fans, you couldn’t have two better owners. I’ve known Bob personally for over 40 years - he has always loved the Lakers and basketball, and he will bring championships back to LA.”
That kind of backing matters coming from Johnson, whose bond with the Lakers stretches across nearly five decades. He was the No. 1 pick in 1979, became the face of the Showtime era, and later returned to the organization as president of basketball operations from 2017 to 2019.
Johnson’s message also points to something bigger than a simple congratulations: he believes Iger’s connection to the Lakers runs deep. Iger is widely known for his long run leading Disney, but Johnson says his relationship with basketball and the team goes back more than 40 years.
That history could loom large as Iger and Kushner step into control of one of the most high-pressure franchises in sports.
The new deal comes from Mark Walter, who had only taken control of the team from the Buss family about a year earlier. Iger and Kushner had already worked together before, and the two were reportedly exploring NBA expansion in Las Vegas before shifting their focus to the Lakers.
For Johnson, though, the message was less about business and more about the standard that comes with the jersey.
The Lakers have lived on championships for generations, from Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and now to Luka Doncic. A $12 billion price tag may grab headlines, but that won’t be the real measuring stick in Los Angeles.
Winning will.
And when Magic Johnson says Bob Iger will bring championships back to LA, that sets the bar immediately for the franchise’s next chapter.
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