An NBA legend is now part of a legendary NFL franchise.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson is one of the people in the ownership group that has taken over the Washington Commanders. The sale was made official on July 20.
TODAY's Craig Melvin spoke with Johnson July 20 — with the full interviewing airing July 21 — asking the Los Angeles Lakers great how he planned to move the team beyond the scandals it experienced under its previous owner, Daniel Snyder, who had been fined $60 million for workplace misconduct.
"You have to let the employees know that you respect them and it will be a safe place to work," Johnson told Melvin.
"We know how valuable the employees are because they make it run every single day. And so we’re going to hire the best people. We already got a lot of great people. So this year it’s about listening, watching and really learning."
The sale marks the beginning of a new era in Washington and the end of Snyder’s tumultuous run in charge. He had announced in November 2022 that he would explore selling the team, which followed a series of scandals involving allegations of a toxic workplace culture, fines and the announcement it had renamed the franchise the Commanders in early 2022.
Johnson said they may look into the possibility of dropping the Commanders name.
"Craig, everything’s on the table, right? Especially after this year. We will see where we are with the name, but I can’t say that right now," he said.
"We’re going spend this year understanding what we have in place," he added. "And then I’m sure that that’ll come up. The Commanders, the name of the team, will come up eventually. But right now we got enough work to do that will keep us busy."
And what might that name be? Al Roker had a pretty simple idea.
"The Washington Magic," he said July 21 on TODAY, while Savannah Guthrie said she had the same thought.
"Magic Johnson, you're welcome," he added.
Johnson has a minority stake in the team, with Josh Harris, who owns the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, leading the group that now owns the franchise. The sale had been in the works for a few months.
"God is so good…I still can’t believe it!" Johnson tweeted, in part, July 20. "I am currently living in an answered prayer. Since beginning my journey as an athlete and now businessman and team owner, it’s all been a dream that has come full circle."
Johnson instantly becomes one of the most recognizable owners in the NFL and joins a small group of Black owners, which include Mellody Hobson and Condoleezza Rice, the first Black women to be a part of the Denver Broncos' ownership.
"If we can excel in our roles, then others will follow," he said. "And it’s not just the owners’ box either. We want them also to be executives of teams, as well. And I’m hoping that other owners, just like, you know, us at the Commanders, will see that African Americans can do the job and give them opportunities.
Johnson, who officially adds the Commanders to his portfolio, has ownership in other areas of sports. He has ownership stakes in Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. He also previously had a stake with the Lakers, but sold his interest in the team in 2010.
Johnson was asked by Craig if he would ever pursue ownership in an NHL franchise.
"I would look at it, for sure. Listen, breaking these barriers, just going through these doors, is important to me. As a proud Black man — you’ve got me choking up now," he said, fighting back tears.
"This is a great opportunity. I don’t know why God blessed me with these opportunities, but I’m going to excel, not only for myself, but my family, but for all African Americans, making sure we can see (ourselves )in these seats. And I want people to know that we can do the job."
On the field, the Commanders have struggled. The franchise, which has won three Super Bowls in its history, has won only three postseason games since winning its last Super Bowl in 1992, with its last playoff victory taking place in January 2006.
