Haute 100 LA Update: Magic Johnson Buys the Los Angeles Sparks

Earvin Johnson is about to bring some “Magic” to the WNBA.

The former LA Lakers great and current co-owner of the LA Dodgers is part of a group that is buying the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.

Johnson discussed the by with Mark Walter and WNBA President Laurel Richie on a cross-country flight a few weeks ago. By the time they had landed on the West Coast, the decision was made.

“We’re totally thrilled,” Richie told The Associated Press. “When Magic chooses to enter into a partnership with a WNBA team, that’s a great thing. He’s a legend within basketball. He’s very knowledgeable about the game. He’s a larger-than-life personality. He’s an extremely successful business man. He cares about the community the way that the WNBA does.”

Johnson and Walter previously purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 for $2.15 billion.  He was a partial owner of the Los Angeles Lakers for a decade before selling his share to Patrick Soon-Shiong in 2011.

While the franchise hasn’t been successful financially, the Sparks have been one of the WNBA’s best teams on the court and have led the league in attendance the past two seasons. They won titles in 2001 and 2002 and made it to the playoffs in five of the past six seasons. They were knocked out in the opening round by Phoenix last season.

To see the full Los Angeles list, click here.

Like Haute Living Los Angeles? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @HauteLivingMag.