An Evening with
Earvin “Magic”Johnson The Magic of Winning FRI, OCT 24 / 8 PM / ARLINGTON THEATRE
Presented in Association with UCSB Athletics NBA legend… two-time Hall of Famer… entrepreneur… philanthropist… and motivational speaker are just a few honors of distinction that show the culmination of greatness possessed by Earvin “Magic” Johnson. The business mogul has successfully parlayed his skills and tenacity on the court into the business world, propelling his company to the status of No. 1 urban brand in America. A former point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, he spent 13 seasons in the NBA. After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers. He won a championship and an NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his rookie season, and won four more championships with the Lakers during the 1980s. Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV, but returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. He retired again for four years, but returned in 1996 and played 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the third and final time. Johnson was a three-time NBA MVP, made nine finals appearances and was named to 12 all-star teams. Johnson was a member of the 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team (“The Dream Team”) which won the Olympic gold medal in 1992. Johnson was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history in 1996 and was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 for his individual career, and again in 2010 as a member of the Olympic team. Since his retirement, Johnson has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex.
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He is currently the chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, which provides high-quality products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and underserved urban communities through strategic alliances, investments, consulting and endorsements. The conglomerate is comprised of multiple business entities and partnerships that include Canyon Johnson, a $1 billion real estate fund; Yucaipa Johnson, a $500 million private equity fund; ASPIRE, a new African-American television network; SodexoMAGIC; Magic Airport Holdings; Best Buy; T.G.I. Friday’s Restaurant; Inner City Broadcasting Corporation; Detroit Venture Partners; and Vibe Holdings, LLC. Johnson is the chairman of the multicultural media company that houses the Vibe, Uptown and Soul Train brands. He is noted for his unprecedented Starbucks partnership, which served as the catalyst for redevelopment in urban communities and is literally the blueprint for corporate America’s engagement and success with urban consumers. Johnson has also teamed up with Tim Lieweke of AEG in an effort to build a new stadium and bring an NFL team back to Los Angeles as well as thousands of jobs to the city. The story of Johnson and Larry Bird’s inspiring friendship and rivalry was unveiled April 2012 in Magic/Bird, a Broadway play. Johnson also serves as chairman and founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation. Special thanks to