Staff
Last month, the sale of the Washington Commanders franchise (formerly known as the Washington Redskins) to a group headed by Josh Harris for a record $6.05 billion was officially—and unanimously— approved by NFL owners during a special session.
Among the 20 limited partners in the group is NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, who expressed his excitement about the deal on Twitter.
“This is truly the biggest achievement in my business career and a historic moment for the entire Black community,” Johnson wrote. “Talk about God’s perfect timing. This was the right organization for me to be a part of given it’s global appeal, history of winning, and the diverse fanbase and DMV community. I have a special relationship with the DMV. Many people don’t know I’ve done business in the Washington, DC area for many years.
“I was one of the owners of the Washington Hilton, I built multiple Starbucks franchises and Magic Johnson Theaters, and empowerment centers with the Magic Johnson Foundation. I also have my company SodexoMAGIC headquartered here. The DMV community has embraced and supported me, and I am honored and ecstatic to be a co-owner of the Commanders franchise!”
Johnson is one of just four African Americans with ownership stakes in the NFL and the other three—former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Ariel Investments CEO Mellody Hobson and Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton—are part of the group that took ownership of the Broncos last year.
Ironically enough, it is the second attempt for Johnson to have ownership in the NFL. The first was with the group that was outbid in their efforts to buy the Denver Broncos.
While vacationing in the Mediterranean last month, Johnson shared a photo of he and his family proudly sporting Washington Commander t-shirts.