The Washington Capital’s drive to the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs was still fresh in the minds of the sports fans when another Washington team clinched their playoff berth. This time, it was NWSL’s Spirit. The squad was already on the verge of reaching the playoffs. However, a few teams like the North Carolina Courage and Chicago Red Star gave them a boost, and no one is more happy than the team’s new owner — Magic Johnson.

Johnson, who has been a vocal and enthusiastic co-owner of the Spirit since acquiring the team last week, couldn’t contain his joy after the playoff clincher. Taking to X, Johnson penned a heartfelt note expressing his pride and admiration for the Spirit players and staff. “Congratulations to the players, my business partner and Washington Spirit majority owner Michele Kang, the entire Spirit staff, and all the fans!” tweeted Johnson.

The Washington Spirit’s drive to the playoffs was a complex one. The draw between the North Carolina Courage and Bay FC on Friday and Chicago Red Star’s victory over Portland Thorns by one goal helped the Spirit rise to the spot among the top eights on the table, finalizing its trip to the quarterfinals in November. Under the leadership of interim Head Coach Adrián González and new Head Coach Jonatan Giraldez, the club currently has a record of 13-4-2 (41 points) in 19 games, with 7 games remaining. It sits in the 2nd position of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference.

Just a week back on September 6, Johnson joined the investor group led by owner Michele Kang, who owns the Washington Spirits. “I’m excited to join the Washington Spirit’s investor group at such a pivotal time in the club’s history,” said Johnson during an interview (as per NBA Washington News). The main aim of the Hall of Famer behind this investment was to add quality to the team so that they could bring more trophies back home. Johnson had also claimed that by this investment, he would not just help the players win championships but would also help them after their football career.

The Washington Spirit’s playoff appearance is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, and staff. It’s also a reflection of the positive impact that Magic Johnson has had on the franchise since becoming its owner. However, did you know about the other sports franchises that the 65-year-old owns?

Other sports franchises owned by Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson’s illustrious career has extended far beyond the basketball court, with his savvy investments in sports franchises, becoming a hallmark of his business venture. The NBA legend has strategically diversified his portfolio across multiple sports, including MLB, NFL, MLS, and WNBA.

Johnson’s most notable sports investment came in 2012 when he joined the ownership group of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This $2 billion acquisition revitalized the storied MLB franchise, leading to sustained success and a World Series championship in 2020. He also owns the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks, which won the championship title in 2016. His Los Angeles FC team clinched its first-ever MLS cup in 2022.

However, the list doesn’t end here. He has also invested in teams like the NFL’s Washington Commanders and the E-Sports’ Team Liquid. These varied interests reflect his understanding of sports as both a passion and a business opportunity, positioning him as an influential figure in the intersection of athletics and entrepreneurship.