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Magic Johnson

February 22, 2012 by · Comments Off on Magic Johnson 

Magic Johnson, More than 20 years after he last played pro basketball, former Lakers star Magic Johnson is ready for a whole new game: running his own TV network.

The Hall of Famer, who has become a successful business mogul, is preparing to launch Aspire, a 24-hour channel with a focus on what Johnson called positive, uplifting images of African Americans. The basic cable outlet will join other channels targeting black viewers, such as BET and TV One, and will offer opportunities for blacks who have struggled to find work in mainstream Hollywood.

“This is so exciting for me, I’m pinching myself,” Johnson said in a phone interview. “This is big for myself, for the African American community and the African American creative community. I wanted a vehicle to show positive images and to have stories written, produced and directed by African Americans for our community. Aspire — that’s how I’ve been leading my life.”

Magic Johnson

December 3, 2011 by · Comments Off on Magic Johnson 

Magic Johnson, Magic Johnson wants to buy the Dodgers, putting one of Los Angeles’ most beloved sports figures in pursuit of the city’s cherished baseball team.

Johnson announced his bid Friday, saying he wants to restore the Dodgers’ pride and prominence.

“I want to make them great again,” he said. Johnson would be the face of a high-powered ownership group that includes Stan Kasten – former president of the Braves and Nationals – and Mark Walter, chief executive of Guggenheim Partners, a financial services company that controls more than $125 billion in assets. The company is headquartered in Chicago and New York, with an office in Santa Monica.

Johnson’s entry lends a dramatic air to the Dodgers sweepstakes, which is expected to begin next week when information is sent to potential bidders. The Dodgers are expected to sell for more than $1 billion, which would be a record price for a baseball team.

Having his money lined up gives Johnson a head start on several potential bidders, including former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Southern California baseball executive Dennis Gilbert, Los Angeles developers Rick Caruso and Alan Casden and former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano are among other potential buyers who have been publicly identified.

It’s not known how many interested parties there are, but former Dodgers stars Steve Garvey and Orel Hershiser also are trying to form a bid group, as is Fred Claire, a former Dodgers general manager.

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