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Can Magic Johnson's Spirit bounce back stronger next season after this tough NWSL Final loss?

Magic Johnson’s year took a tough turn as his Washington Spirit fell short in the NWSL Final against Orlando Pride. The 5x NBA champion, however, wasn’t dwelling on the loss. Instead, he promised fans that his team would come back stronger next season. But just when you think things aren’t going the NBA legend’s way, there was another twist. Hours after the Spirit’s defeat, Magic bumped into none other than billionaire Bernard Arnault’s three sons—Alexandre, Frédéric, and Jean Arnault.

Magic Johnson took to Instagram to share the encounter with his fans, posting a picture with the Arnault brothers. The caption read: “I ran into the Arnault brothers at the airport today—Frédéric, Alexandre, and Jean! If you didn’t know, their family owns LVMH, which is the world’s largest luxury goods conglomerate with brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, Tiffany & Co., and Sephora to name a few! They also have Hennessy under their portfolio in the wine & spirits world.”

As per Forbes, Bernard Arnault & Family’s net worth is estimated at $155 billion and each of the three brothers plays a key role in the family’s empire. Alexandre is the president of Tiffany & Co., Frédéric is the CEO of LVMH Watches, and Jean heads Louis Vuitton’s Watchmaking Marketing and Development.

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But the surprises didn’t stop there. Magic revealed a fun little tidbit: “One of the first yachts Cookie and I rented was their Amadeus! It was great catching up with them today!” The Amadeus, a converted research vessel, was valued at a staggering $70 million. Arnault, of course, also owns the Symphony, a $150 million, 333-ft yacht. Now that’s luxury on another level.

 

And here’s the kicker: it turns out, the Arnaults also share Johnson’s passion for soccer. The Arnault family is in the process of acquiring Paris FC, a French League 2 team. Nevertheless, this encounter must have helped the 65-year-old get over the NSWL Final loss.

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Can Magic Johnson's Spirit bounce back stronger next season after this tough NWSL Final loss?

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Magic Johnson’s Spirit lost the NWSL Final

Magic Johnson’s dream of clinching a 16th championship took a hit as his Washington Spirit fell short in the NWSL Final. From being an NBA superstar to a successful franchise owner, Magic has seen it all, with 15 championships already under his belt. When he joined the Washington Spirit in September, he revealed his ambitious goal. “We want to win championships. I got 14 world championships. I need 15 now…” he said.

As his Dodgers already delivered the 15th, it was time for the 16th. However, the Spirit’s title hopes shattered in a 0-1 loss to Orlando Pride, led by another NBA legend, Grant Hill. The Pride’s season was nothing short of historic, with a 23-match unbeaten streak that propelled them to their first-ever league title.

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The Spirit also fought fearlessly, with goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury making crucial saves and forwards Ashley Hatch and Trinity Rodman nearly changing the course of the game. But in the end, it was Barbra Banda of the Pride who sealed the victory with a stunning goal in the 37th minute.

Despite the loss, Magic took to social media, sharing his congratulations: “Congratulations to my good friend Grant Hill and the Orlando Pride on winning the NWSL Championship! I’m looking forward to what’s to come next year!” A true sportsman, Magic remains optimistic and focused on the future.

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