Most people know Micky Arison as the owner of the Miami Heat or the man behind Carnival Cruise Lines, but there’s a lesser-known story that stuck with Magic Johnson for all the right reasons. It was a subtle yet impactful gesture, exemplifying how quiet actions can leave a lasting impression.

In 1992, just before the Olympics in Barcelona, Team USA was chilling on now-Miami Heat owner Micky Arison’s yacht. It was one of those sweltering Barcelona days, the kind where the heat seems to wrap around your chest. The air conditioning on the yacht had failed – and the world’s most elite basketball team was about to get a taste of real discomfort. That is, until Micky Arison did something so casually outrageous, it stuck with Magic Johnson for decades.

Magic Johnson took to social media recently and shared a status update on X. He wrote, “Funny story, the air conditioning went out while we were out there and Micky just brought in his second yacht 🤣. That moment was life-changing for me because it helped me to think and dream bigger.” throwing back to one of the incidents in his life which changed his perspective on wealth. The Dream Team on a yacht with one of the richest men on earth, casually boarding a spare yacht.

It made sense, logistically, why Arison had a spare yacht lying around, too. The 75-year-old served as the President of Carnival Cruise Lines from 1990 to 2023. An organisation famous for hosting small cities of people aboard their massive cruises. Makes sense that they’d have a good connection for spare yachts, no?

Both Magic Johnson and Micky Arison are well-set, to say the least. They are both billionaires, owing to the different ways they’ve accumulated their wealth. But there are levels to wealth. Let’s see the difference between rich and wealthy.

What a backup yacht taught Magic Johnson about Wealth

Magic Johnson is rich. No question about it. With an estimated net worth of around $1.5 billion. Magic’s in elite company. Jordan, LeBron, and Tiger are three of only four sportsmen to become a billionaires. He’s turned his post-NBA life into a business empire, including movie theaters, Starbucks franchises, sports ownership, and tons of smart investments. He’s a prime example of someone who took fame and turned it into serious financial success.

But then there’s Micky Arison. He’s wealthy. Like, next-level, yacht-owning, multibillion-dollar kind of wealthy. Arison’s estimated net worth is around $8.6 billion. More than eight times what Magic’s worth. And unlike Magic, who’s built his brand one deal at a time, Arison was born into big business. He took over Carnival Cruise Lines and helped turn it into the world’s largest cruise company. It’s the largest in the world, with over 90 ships across multiple brands and billions in annual revenue. And to top it off? He owns the Miami Heat on the side. Casual.

It’s not a competition. Magic himself has spoken openly about being inspired by Arison’s way of thinking. Saying once, “That was a valuable day for me, a lesson in life. The difference between being rich and being wealthy. The man had a backup yacht ” years after the 1992 Olympics to Jackie McMullan. And just for perspective? A single yacht of that level can cost upwards of $50 million. Arison had a second one ready like it was an extra set of towels.

That day wasn’t about a luxury yacht. It was about how quickly Arison solved a problem without blinking. Magic saw firsthand what it looks like when money gives you freedom – not just to buy things but to move through life differently. One spare yacht said more than any business advice ever could. It showed Magic what was possible when you think bigger.