Magic Johnson expects to be ‘emotional’ for first Commanders game as owner

Magic Johnson likes to tout that he has 14 championship rings, titles won across his days as an athlete and as an owner. But a Super Bowl ring still eludes him. 

That’s part of why he can’t wait for Sunday.

No, the Washington Commanders don’t play in the Super Bowl this weekend when they host the Arizona Cardinals for Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff. But the outing will be Johnson’s first NFL game since becoming a limited partner for the Washington Commanders — and that’s significant in itself. 

Johnson said he’ll be “emotional” Sunday, comparing the anticipation for the contest to the night he won a World Series ring as part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ ownership group. The NBA legend, who won five titles as a player, said his wife Cookie will fly in to join him for the Commanders’ game.

“Cookie and I say, we never thought this day would happen,” Johnson said, “that I would be an NFL owner and she would be an NFL owner. … It will be an emotional moment. It’ll be a great moment. 

“And then when that kick-off happens, I’mma be ready for the Commanders to kick some you know what.” 

Johnson spoke with reporters from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, where he and the team’s charitable foundation met with kids on the northeastern side of the District. Johnson handed out autographed “No. 32” Commanders jerseys with the legend’s name on the back. He also handed out a number of other gifts, including four tickets to Sunday’s game, $1,000 in cash to a young man and another $5,000 to another kid who was part of the club. Johnson said having a role with the Boys & Girls Club was important to him since the organization played a big role in his life growing up in Michigan. 

Johnson’s visit was his latest stop in the DMV in lead to Sunday’s game. A day earlier, he stopped by the Commanders’ facility in Ashburn where he gave a 40-minute speech to players. During that session, Johnson also answered a number of questions from the group — ranging from his experience on championship-winning teams and his path to becoming a businessman. 

“I kept telling ’em I’ve never been satisfied,” Johnson said. “I’m a guy who wants more. I’ve always wanted more. I have 14 world championship rings and I want a Super Bowl ring. And so how can I help them achieve that? Now this is what we told ’em, and this is what I told ’em, and I’m going to go, but I said, you don’t have to worry about no problems from this ownership group.

“You just have to concentrate on Sundays playing football.”

Johnson has repeated that message since joining the Commanders’ ownership group. It stands in contrast to former owner Dan Snyder, who generated near-constant headlines for a series of scandals. 

Terry McLaurin said Johnson and Washington’s new owners are “very communicative” in asking what needs to be done. Since Josh Harris bought the franchise for $6.05 billion, ownership has made a number of improvements — from adding new equipment for the training and weight rooms to committing $40 million to upgrade FedEx Field. 

“Magic comes with a lot of energy,” McLaurin said. “It’s great to meet such a successful man, a man of God who just loves to win. I think he’s bringing that energy along with Mr. Harris and the rest of the group. They’re trying to give us all the tools that we need to be successful.”

Added defensive end Chase Young: “(Johnson) told us we’re all as one, we’re going to hold each other accountable and we’re going to do what’s best for the team.”

Johnson said Harris deserves credit for convincing him to join his ownership group. The two men previously pursued the Denver Broncos, and when that attempt to buy the team fell through, Harris eventually circled back wanting to buy the Commanders.

Johnson is one of the few Black minority owners in the NFL, something he said he takes pride in.

Why did he want to join the NFL?

“Because it’s the NFL,” Johnson said. “There’s no higher, bigger sports league than the NFL.”