What does it take to run a million-dollar empire? Grit, vision, and a team of trusted people working tirelessly behind the scenes. While the spotlight often follows Magic Johnson, the power behind the magic includes individuals who help him with his various ventures. Johnson always makes sure to let his appreciation be known for such people, and he did exactly so recently. And no, it wasn’t a basketball player: it was Christina Francis, the powerful mind behind the scenes at Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE).

Francis has been part of the MJE ecosystem for years, gradually rising through the ranks. She didn’t just appear out of nowhere, but she earned her seat through decades of experience. Her work stretches back to Burger King, the Orange Bowl, the NFL Players Association, and even Walt Disney. Johnson clearly saw something special early on. As Francis started working for Burger King in 2004 and the 65-year-old started adding the BK franchises to his portfolio, they worked here together for the first time.

“The executives at Burger King told me, ‘You’re going to have to leave the agency and come work for us because he’ll only speak to you,’” she said. “I ended up working for Burger King, strictly running the Magic Johnson Burger Kings. Every time Earvin needed something, he wouldn’t call the people at Burger King. He would call me.” Such is the relationship the two share!

Recently, Johnson took to Instagram to post a story wishing her a happy birthday. He shared a warm message that read, “Sending a big happy birthday to my MJE President Christina Francis from me and Cookie!” While it may seem small to some, this shout-out carried weight—it was a public nod to someone who’s helped him shape an empire. To their friend and partner who has been with him for 11 years, it was more than just a birthday wish. It was an acknowledgment from both Magic and Cookie!

So, how did she get here? Well, she worked her way up the old-school way. Francis started in marketing, learning every corner of the business world. From Nissan to IBM, she soaked up knowledge like a sponge. By the time Johnson made his final job offer, she was more than ready. She didn’t just accept the job—she stepped into a legacy.

What really sets Francis apart is how she leads. She pays it forward, mentors young talent, and remembers where she came from. She once said, that when people ask how she became MJE’s president, it’s simple: “You just get in there and you get to work.” It’s that mindset that makes her not just a leader, but the backbone of Magic’s billion-dollar empire. So, let’s rewind back to where it all started.

How Magic Johnson snagged star executive Christina Francis

How do you convince someone to join your team when they’ve told you “no” three times? And not just anyone, but a sharp, commanding woman who’s been quietly dominating every room she walks into for decades?

That’s exactly the story Magic Johnson shared at the Black Ownership in Sports Symposium, as he proudly introduced Christina Francis—the first female President of Magic Johnson Enterprises. But as Francis revealed in her own words, this partnership didn’t happen overnight.

Their story began over 20 years ago in New York when Francis was managing one of Magic’s endorsement deals as an Account Director at UniWorld. Despite being 5-foot-2, she quickly took control of the room. “I was this 5-foot-2 runaround. Everything was organized. I was controlling the room,” she said, earning laughs from the crowd. And Magic? He was clearly impressed. “He just kept looking at me like, ‘Who’s this little thing running all over the place?’”

That moment sparked something. Magic offered her a job not once, but three times over the years. And each time, Francis turned him down. “And the second time I said no, he said, ‘Strike two,’” she recalled. Even after that third “no,” when Johnson fell silent for nearly two years, Francis sensed the story wasn’t over.

Eventually, a mutual contact brought them back together. This time, Magic made it plain: “Look, I’ve been thinking about my business, and I’m going to ask you this one last time: Do you want to come work for me?”

That final ask landed. Francis, then a longtime Los Angeles resident, accepted the offer in 2013. Looking back, her story is a masterclass in patience, purpose, and knowing your worth. And for Magic? He didn’t just hire a president, he gained a powerhouse who had already been leading long before the title came.