When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers, there may be no one more in tune with the historic franchise than Magic Johnson.
As a player, Johnson led the franchise to five NBA championships, and he has also been a coach, executive, and minority owner with the franchise.
The Naismith Hall of Famer took to social media Aug. 12 to sign off on the sale of the team to businessman Joshua Kushner and former Disney chief executive Robert Iger. The reported price tag for the sale is a record $12.5 billion, the highest price paid for a North American sports franchise.
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.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 12, 2026
"I want
to congratulate my good friend Bob Iger and Josh Kushner on their purchase of the Los Angeles Lakers!" Johnson said on X."
Johnson previously praised Mark Walter, the Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner who bought the Lakers from the Buss family for $10 billion and was only approved as an owner in October 2025. Walter's tenure as owner will last less than a year.
Johnson said he has known Iger for more than four decades and made a bold prediction about the new ownership group getting the Lakers back to the top of the league.
"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," Johnson said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Magic Johnson praises new Lakers ownership, predicts future titles
