Magic Johnson officially joins NFL’s Washington Commanders as co-owner

Entrepreneur and NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson added to his voluminous business portfolio by officially becoming part-owner of the Washington Commanders.

The NFL owners voted unanimously Thursday to approve the sale of the team to a group led by billionaire Josh Harris that includes Johnson, the five-time NBA champion. The group is taking ownership of the Commanders from embattled owner Daniel Snyder for a record US$6.05 billion.

Johnson, formerly of the Los Angeles Lakers, will be the franchise’s first Black co-owner. He said he is aware that the team’s image needs an internal face-lift in an interview with NBC News’ Craig Melvin that will air Friday morning on the “TODAY” show.

“Well, first of all, you have to let the employees know that you respect them and it will be a safe place to work,” Johnson said. “And we want you to have a winning attitude, too. These owners just can’t have a winning attitude. It’s got to trickle down to the employees. And then it’s got to trickle down to the coaches and trickle down to the players.