“help educate all people about what [HIV] is about”
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Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. He is widely regarded as the greatest point guard of all time and one of the greatest basketball players in history. Johnson spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). After winning a national championship with the Michigan State Spartans in 1979,…
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business · American basketball player and entrepreneur (born 1959) · basketball player · motivational speaker · basketball coach · entrepreneur · financier · film producer · actor · television producer · HIV/AIDS activist · also Magic Johnson, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Johnson
Born 14 August 1959 · Q134183
105 published statements · 0 followers
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2026· 4 entries
“If I knew what I know now, I wouldn”
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Heavy: Magic Johnson’s Wife Sends Out Heartfelt Post For The Lakers Legend
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The Guardian: Crystal Palace and Everton seal Brennan Johnson-Dwight McNeil swap deal
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2025· 4 entries
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association named Johnson the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Rose Parade
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Won Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by Joe Biden (2025).
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Bleacher Report also listed Johnson among the greatest players of all time, placing him 4th
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Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States
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2024· 1 entry
USA Today rated the claim “Dr. Sebi cured Magic Johnson of HIV” False.
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2023· 6 entries
PolitiFact rated the claim “Photo shows Magic Johnson donating blood “to help underprivileged communities help fight COVID-19.”” False.
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AP News rated the claim “Magic Johnson contracted HIV from a contaminated Hepatitis B vaccine as part of a study run by Dr. Anthony Fauci decades ago.” False.
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PolitiFact rated the claim “Magic Johnson tested positive for HIV "because Fauci’s gain of function study used a contaminated Hepatitis B vaccine."” Pants on Fire.
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FactCheck.org rated the claim “Magic Johnson contracted HIV from "a contaminated hepatitis B vaccine program."” False.
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Johnson invested $240 million in a group headed by Josh Harris that purchased the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL) for $6
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Making him one of the richest celebrities
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2022· 6 entries
AFP Fact Check rated the claim “An image shows Magic Johnson donating blood for Covid-19 patients” False.
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Snopes.com rated the claim “Former NBA superstar Magic Johnson gave blood to the Red Cross to help underprivileged communities help fight COVID-19.” Labeled Satire.
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FactCheck.org rated the claim “A photo shows Magic Johnson donating blood for people with COVID-19.” False.
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AP News rated the claim “A photo shows former NBA star Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who has HIV, donating blood in August 2022 to help COVID-19 patients.” False.
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To commemorate the NBA's 75th anniversary, The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Johnson as the 5th greatest player in NBA history, and the highest ranked point guard
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The NBA began awarding MVPs for the conference finals; the Western Conference Finals MVP trophy is named after Johnson, while the Eastern Conference trophy is named after Bird
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2021· 1 entry
USA Today rated the claim “Magic Johnson donated blood to COVID-19 patients” Satire.
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2020· 1 entry
fact checker rated the claim “A photograph shows Magic Johnson with Jack Nicholson, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and several other celebrities walking into the NBA playoffs.” fake.
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2019· 1 entry
Johnson resigned from the Lakers, citing his desire to return to his role as an NBA ambassador
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2018· 1 entry
But efforts to trade for Anthony Davis during the 2018–19 season proved unsuccessful
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2017· 1 entry
Johnson replaced Jim Buss as the president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers
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2015· 2 entries
Once again endorsed Hillary Clinton in her second presidential campaign
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Johnson completed his planned acquisition for a "majority, controlling interest" in EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, which manages $14
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2014· 2 entries
Snopes rated the claim “HIV-positive basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson donated blood to patients with leukemia.” False.
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Johnson was named one of ESPNW's Impact 25
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2012· 1 entry
Johnson launched a cable TV network called Aspire, featuring programming targeted at black audiences, similar to networks such as Black Entertainment Television (BET) and TV One
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2011· 1 entry
Awarded California Hall of Fame (2011).
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2010· 2 entries
Endorsed Barbara Boxer in her race for re-election to the U
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Ending a successful twelve-year partnership
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2009· 1 entry
Johnson and Bird collaborated with journalist Jackie MacMullan on a non-fiction book titled When the Game Was Ours
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2006· 2 entries
Publicly endorsed Phil Angelides for Governor of California
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Johnson created a contract food service with Sodexo USA called Sodexo-Magic
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2004· 2 entries
Johnson and his partner Ken Lombard sold Magic Johnson Theaters to Loews Cineplex Entertainment
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Was named as ESPN's seventh-most memorable moment of the previous 25 years
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2003· 1 entry
Awarded BET Humanitarian Award (2003).
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2002· 1 entry
Johnson returned to play a second exhibition game against Michigan State
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1999· 1 entry
Johnson joined the Swedish squad M7 Borås (now known as 'Borås Basket'), and was undefeated in five games with the team
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1998· 1 entry
Johnson hosted a late night talk show on the Fox network called The Magic Hour, but the show was canceled after two months because of low ratings
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1997· 1 entry
His production company Magic Johnson Entertainment signed a deal with Fox
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1996· 9 entries
And played his first game the following day against the Golden State Warriors
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The Magic Johnson All-Stars had amassed a record of 55–0, and Johnson was earning as much as $365,000 per game
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Selected on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021
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At age 36, to play 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the third and final time
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And selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, and became a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame—being enshrined in 2002 for his individual career and as a member of the Dream Team
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Played for Los Angeles Lakers (1996–1996).
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Joined Los Angeles Lakers in 1996.
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There were struggles both on and off the court
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And selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021
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1995· 2 entries
Johnson returned to the Breslin Center to play in the Jud Heathcote All-Star Tribute Game
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This was Johnson's first meaningful game played in his hometown of Lansing in 22 years
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1994· 3 entries
Having reportedly paid more than $10 million for part ownership
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Johnson joined with former pros Mark Aguirre, Reggie Theus, John Long, Earl Cureton, Jim Farmer, and Lester Conner, as his team played games in Australia, Israel, South America, Europe, New Zealand, and Japan
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Joined Los Angeles Lakers in 1994.
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1992· 8 entries
Awarded Phoenix Award (1992).
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Awarded J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (1992).
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Awarded Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording (1992).
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Awarded NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award (1992).
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Joined the National Commission on AIDS, a committee appointed by members of Congress and the Bush Administration
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Buss had given Johnson a contract that paid him $14 million a year, as payback for all the years he was not the league's highest-paid player
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And described Bird as a "friend forever"; during Johnson's Hall of Fame ceremony, Bird formally inducted his old rival
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Joined United States Basketball in 1992.
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1991· 6 entries
Johnson made a public announcement that he would retire immediately
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Awarded All-NBA Team (1991).
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Formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team that traveled around the world playing exhibition games
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Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly at the Union Missionary Baptist Church in Lansing, which included guests Thomas and Aguirre
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And he never hesitated to keep Johnson close to the organization, bringing him in as part-owner, and even as a coach
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After announcing that he had contracted HIV, but returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award
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1990· 4 entries
Awarded NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award (1990).
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Awarded All-NBA Team (1990).
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Awarded NBA Most Valuable Player Award (1990).
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Johnson and Earl Graves Sr
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1989· 2 entries
Awarded NBA Most Valuable Player Award (1989).
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Awarded All-NBA Team (1989).
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1988· 1 entry
Awarded All-NBA Team (1988).
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1987· 4 entries
Won the All NBA First Team with _Retired Basketball (1987).
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Awarded Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award (1987).
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Awarded All-NBA Team (1987).
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Awarded NBA Most Valuable Player Award (1987).
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1986· 2 entries
Won the All NBA First Team with _Retired Basketball (1986).
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Awarded All-NBA Team (1986).
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1985· 3 entries
Won the All NBA First Team with _Retired Basketball (1985).
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Awarded All-NBA Team (1985).
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Johnson created "A Midsummer Night's Magic", a yearly charity event which included a celebrity basketball game and a black tie dinner
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1984· 2 entries
Won the All NBA First Team with _Retired Basketball (1984).
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Awarded All-NBA Team (1984).
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1983· 2 entries
Won the All NBA First Team with _Retired Basketball (1983).
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Awarded All-NBA Team (1983).
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1982· 1 entry
Awarded Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award (1982).
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1981· 2 entries
When Andre Johnson was born to Melissa Mitchell
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After the 1980–81 season, Johnson signed a 25-year, $25 million contract with the Lakers (equivalent to $89,000,000 in 2025), which was the highest-paying contract in sports history up to that point
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1980· 2 entries
Awarded Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award (1980).
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Awarded NBA All-Rookie Team (1980).
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1979· 5 entries
Played for Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1991).
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Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers, then led the team to five NBA championships during their "Showtime" era
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Studied at Michigan State University (1977–1979).
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Joined Los Angeles Lakers in 1979.
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Shortly before he drafted Johnson with the #1 pick in the 1979 NBA draft
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1977· 2 entries
Played for Michigan State Spartans men's basketball (1977–1979).
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Joined Michigan State in 1977.
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1959· 1 entry
Born 1959-08-14.
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