Magic Johnson's Purchase of the Dodgers

The Guggenheim Baseball Management group, fronted by L.A. Lakers basketball icon Magic Johnson took control of the L.A. Dodgers baseball franchise in May 2012. Johnson and his group of investors took over ownership of the franchise from Frank McCourt; the sale ended an eight year reign marked by a bitter divorce, struggles for power and the bankruptcy of the Dodgers. An icon around the world, Magic Johnson brings a sense of credibility and the promise of victory to the beleaguered Dodgers franchise.

Towards the end of the reign of Frank McCourt the Dodgers had become more famous for the infighting of the McCourt family and financial mishandling of the franchise, than for the teams on field displays. In 2011, the Dodgers filed for bankruptcy and McCourt fought to stop Major League Baseball wrestling control of the club from him. Eventually, McCourt agreed to the sale of the franchise sanctioned by MLB authorities to Johnson‘s investment group. 

Magic Johnson

An auction over the franchise did not eventually take place, with McCourt agreeing to sell the franchise to the Guggenheim group for $2 billion. In Los Angeles, Johnson brings a sense of credibility to the new ownership group; an L.A. Lakers icon with five NBA titles, Johnson brings the Dodgers back to sports and away from the soap opera of the lives of the former owners. Bringing Magic Johnson into the management team of the Dodgers is also designed to engage the interest of fans in a franchise that seemed more intent on increasing profits than winning titles. After taking control of the team Johnson and his fellow investors spoke of asking the fans opinions on how the franchise was run; alongside winning the aim of the investment group is to improve the overall experience of fans attending games. One of the first acts was an immediate reduction in parking lot prices, driven up during the McCourt ownership in an attempt to fund the lavish lifestyle of the owner.

Magic Johnson’s impact on the purchase of the Dodgers cannot be underestimated; current and former players spoke of their excitement at his involvement in the Dodgers franchise at the time of the sale. In L.A. sports there is no bigger personality than Magic Johnson; from his inspirational leadership on the field to his battle with HIV brings the positive fighting aspects of Johnson’s personality to the Dodgers. Magic and his fellow investors have spoken often of their aim to bring the Dodgers closer to the local community; alongside a return to winning ways the franchise hopes to become an important part of the life of the people of Los Angeles. Both the media and fans have been energized and excited by the arrival of an L.A. legend to one of baseball’s most controversial franchises.