Magic Johnson explains why he wants to join Josh Harris' Commanders ownership bid: 'I need a Super Bowl ring'

04-04-2023
3 min read

Magic Johnson is looking to round out his championship ring collection, this time with the Washington Commanders.

The bid the NBA legend is aiming to join was laid out in late March by billionaire businessmen Josh Harris and Mitchell Rales, fully financed at Daniel Snyder's $6 billion asking price, according to ESPN.

Harris also owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, and is a partner to David Blitzer in ownership of Crystal Palace Football Club (EPL).

MORE: Why Daniel Snyder is selling Commanders & what to know about Josh Harris, Steve Apostolopoulos bids

Johnson already has an ownership stake in multiple franchises, most notably the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) and Los Angeles Football Club (MLS). He explained on the "Today" show Tuesday why he's interested in adding the NFL to his portfolio. 

"I got a ring in every sport, but I need a Super Bowl ring," Johnson said, via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. "And I would love to be the owner of the Commanders to not only do great work on the field, but the work we could do with the city." 

The Harris group is up against at least one other high-level bid hoping to take the franchise off Snyder's hands, as Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos reportedly has submitted a matching $6 billion offer.

If either bid are accepted at this point, it would break the previous record for a franchise sale, which was set by Walmart owner Rob Walton in August 2022. Walton had bought the Denver Broncos for $4.65 billion.

ESPN reported that Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is also interested in the Commanders, and another anonymous group of bidders has toured the Washington facilities in interest.

When Snyder accepts an offer, he will submit the bidder's names to the league for approval and three-quarters of the current owners would need to approve any sale.