“All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them,” said Magic Johnson once about helping the younger. And it seems the Los Angeles Lakers legend even followed his saying. When Magic Johnson hung up his Lakers jersey, he didn’t just leave behind a legacy of no-look passes and championship rings – he transformed into a business maven, who’s been quietly mentoring the next generation of athlete-entrepreneurs. Not just in the NBA, but his help is even appreciated by former Los Angeles Dodgers player Alex Rodriguez. Now, another Chicago Bulls icon has joined Johnson’s long list of mentees but at the cost of leaving out the Windy City legend Michael Jordan, another business mogul.

In a recent revelation on a ‘Bloomberg Originals‘ podcast, Jay Williams disclosed on his podcast that he sought Magic Johnson’s guidance when venturing into the business realm with his NIL corporation, Improbable Media. “I wore 32 all the time in high school. I couldn’t wear it in college ’cause Christian Laettner had it. So I literally took 22, which is just 10 digits off, I got that. But definitely Magic for what he has been able to do real estate-wise,” said Williams on getting inspired by Johnson.

Surprisingly, despite being a second overall pick in 2002 for the Chicago Bulls, the former star did not mention one of the most legendary players of the franchise: Michael Jordan, but we can see why he picked Johnson.

Magic’s business playbook has never been solely about making personal gains. His investments in urban communities by creating jobs for thousands through his movie theater chains in backward neighborhoods illustrate a blueprint that resonates with younger athletes desiring to both make a profit and impact the community. Like Jay Williams himself, this approach has attracted many athletes to seek mentorship.

Now, while Jordan’s Air Jordan success is unprecedented with earning $6.6 billion last year, Magic’s hands-on mentorship style and business portfolio may be more relatable for athletes looking to go into multiple areas of business. Remember the Magic Johnson Enterprise? It was formed in 1987 and aimed to deliver consultancy services to underdeveloped communities. 

Venturing into the consultancy world at such an early point gave Johnson the confidence to advise on business. “I had a lot of conversations with Magic earlier around [on] how do I take more ownership in knowing that it is my business? How do I delegate some of those responsibilities to my mom and dad,” added Williams during the podcast

But the recent revelation by Williams also highlights the different approaches to business mentorship between two NBA legends. Johnson has always presented himself as an approachable advisor, often speaking at business conferences with his latest big conference being in Sao Paolo, Brazil, in XP Brazil performance, last month. In comparison, Jordan’s business success is monumental, but it has been somewhat more isolated and tied to the Jordan personal brand empire.

However, the former NBA star hasn’t totally left out Jordan from the conversation. “Michael’s entry point, Jordan, just. I grew up close to David Falk. I didn’t go with David Falk. I went to Bill Duffy. Helping Michael Jordan obviously with the Jordan brand and everything,” said Williams during the podcast.

Now a question may arise, what is William’s NIL Corporation? Jay Williams, along with Milwaukee Bucks power forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo, founded Improbable Media in 2023. The digital media and brand representation company is a platform where athletes and other public figures can share their stories and perspectives. The company mainly focuses on helping young collegiate athletes strike the best NIL deals available in the pool of the ever-expanding field. Just back in July, they signed University of Alabama football star Jalen Milroe for representation in the NIL world.

As the NIL market continues to evolve, Williams’ decision to learn from Magic’s playbook might prove prophetic. Johnson’s track record of success in multiple ventures, combined with his willingness to guide the next generation of athlete-entrepreneurs, continues to make him a good mentor. However, apart from this media deal, Williams has been eyeing for another opportunity.

Jay Williams shared his wish to own almost half part of his college basketball team

Williams, who played for Duke during his collegiate days, feels the current system, which compensates athletes using scholarships and limited benefits, is outdated and unjust. He says professional athletes should get a share of the profits from their athletic endeavors.

In an interview, Williams expressed his desire to own a significant stake in Duke University’s basketball program, suggesting that athletes should have a financial stake in the institutions that generate substantial revenue from their talents. “One day, I would like to own 49% of Duke basketball. We’re seeing private equity enter the NFL. We already see Dyal and Blue Owl and the NBA. I think you’re going to have a lot of these,” said Williams (as per Front Office Sports).

Williams’ comments are in line with the rising calls to reform college sports. With the millions made from athletes’ athletic abilities, many have supported young players for greater compensation and rights. In recent years, the pressure to reform the NCAA has intensified even as the NCAA has resisted major change. Only time will tell now if Williams will get the share of his former basketball team to create a more just system, something similar to what his mentor aims for.