Magic Johnson spent most of his interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper earlier this week discussing Donald Sterling.
But Johnson – in light of his own reported desire to buy the Clippers – also addressed his desire to own an NBA team.
Johnson:
I could be an owner tomorrow. I could have been an owner. My friends who own Golden State asked me to join them. I could have been an owner of the Golden State Warriors. My friend Tom Gores owns Detroit Pistons. I could be an owner tomorrow with the Pistons. He asked me to come be part-owner of the Detroit Pistons.
What I really would want to do is own the Lakers.
Magic Johnson actually previously owned a share of the Lakers, but he wanted a larger role with a team, so he sold it.
His hometown Pistons and the Warriors – co-owned by one of his partners with the Dodgers, Peter Guber – have stable ownership. Likely, both wanted Johnson to own a small piece of the team, similar to his set up with the Lakers. Johnson is a talented businessman, but in that role, his main value would have been as a team ambassador.
If Johnson wants more responsibility and accepts that the Buss Family won’t sell the Lakers anytime soon, he could try to buy the Clippers. Johnson reiterated to Cooper that he and his partners might have interest.
But Johnson – this is where his business sense comes in – knows the Clippers’ sale could be delayed by Sterling suing. That’s why he’s not tipping his hand too much.
He’s at least interested enough, though, that he’s not buying a share of the Pistons and taking himself out of the running.
