“We want to do it the right way,” said Magic Johnson back in July 2023, when he and his wife Cookie joined the ownership group that acquired the Washington Commanders for a record $6.05 billion.

Magic put up $240 million for a 4% stake, but for him, this wasn’t just about business. “All African-Americans and minorities in this country feel like they’re owners of this team,” Magic said. Fast forward a few months, and now he’s soaking in one of the Commanders’ rarest achievements in nearly two decades.

The new ownership group didn’t waste time making changes. New leadership in the front office and on the sidelines paved the way for success, but the real game-changer? A franchise quarterback.

On Sunday night, Washington snapped a 6,945-day playoff drought by beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in a thrilling NFC wild-card game. It all came down to the wire. Jayden Daniels scrambled for a crucial first down, setting up Zane Gonzalez’s nail-biting 37-yard field goal. The ball bounced off the upright before dropping through as time expired, sending the Commanders’ sideline into a frenzy.

Back at the stadium, Magic and Cookie were right in the thick of the celebration. The NBA legend didn’t hold back his excitement, sharing the moment with his Instagram followers. “What a win for our Commanders tonight! Another last-second field goal to get our franchise’s first Playoff win since 2005🔥,” he posted.

It’s been a long road since the Commanders’ last postseason triumph in 2006. Now, with their playoff curse finally broken, they’re gearing up for the next challenge: a divisional-round showdown with the top-seeded Detroit Lions (15-2). And Magic?

He’s already hyped. “We are so excited to head back home to Michigan for our next matchup against the Lions!” he wrote.

One thing’s for sure—the Commanders’ story is far from over and, guess what? Johnson is becoming the backbone of the franchise.

Magic Johnson continues to become the anchor of the Commanders

Two years ago, when Magic Johnson joined the Washington Commanders’ ownership, he made one thing clear: players should focus on winning, not drama. “You don’t have to worry about problems from this ownership,” Johnson promised. “Just concentrate on Sundays. No headlines, no off-field questions, nothing.”

With that assurance, he set the tone for a new era of leadership — one built on trust and stability, giving players room to perform without distractions. Moreover, Magic didn’t just stop at words; he backed it up with actions. “Your job is just to concentrate on doing your job and having fun,” he reminded the team.

And when things fell short, he didn’t shy away from accountability. His hands-on approach kept the players motivated and focused. Whether it’s speaking up or standing by the team, he’s proven to be a part-owner who’s as invested as anyone in their success.

Last month was a perfect example.

The Commanders escaped a tight win over the Saints, despite quarterback Jayden Daniels taking eight sacks. The offense slowed in the second half, and Magic called it out. “Commanders fans, we escaped with a win and kept our Playoff hopes alive! Although we won, we can’t have our QB Jayden Daniels sacked 8 times,” he wrote on X.

Clearly, he’s not afraid to highlight where improvement is needed, and that approach is paying off.