Earvin Magic Johnson

Lakers legend and entrepreneur Earvin "Magic" Johnson made "The Announcement," an ESPN documentary about his life with a frightening diagnosis, to remind people that HIV and AIDS are still both fatal — and preventable. "I am not cured," he says at the film's end. Director Nelson George's moving and informative film does that and more. It highlights, among other things, the wonder that was Magic Johnson as a basketball player, the après-moi madness of L.A. in 1979, the horror of the AIDS crisis, the value and valor of frankness and, perhaps most important, why, despite all the heartbreak they cause, we still need sports heroes.

Brilliant move making Magic Johnson the face of the new Dodgers. He is the one man who can wash away the bad feelings left by the McCourts. Just remember, Magic — when you wear a No. 32 Dodgers jersey, the name on the back had better be "Koufax. " Maurice Sanchez Coto de Caza :: I think it's safe to say that no other athlete has had the lasting impact on a city like the one Earvin "Magic" Johnson has had on Los Angeles since the day he arrived here in 1979.

Former California State Treasurer Phil Angelides has joined forces with ex-basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson and a Beverly Hills investment firm to buy and improve more than $2 billion worth of urban apartment complexes across the country. Angelides said Monday that he was chairman of the newly created Canyon-Johnson Urban Communities Fund, which will focus on acquiring and upgrading apartments in inner-city neighborhoods to create more "workforce" housing.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson's purchase of part ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers is the latest step in one of the most successful post-game careers of any professional athlete. The former Los Angeles Lakers guard has carved out a role as a liaison between big-money investors and the residents of urban neighborhoods who might become their customers in a variety of businesses including theaters, restaurants, stores and apartments. “He is an extraordinary businessman who has done a great job of executing his strategies,” said Ken Lombard, former president of the Johnson Development Corp.

About 400 cheering parents and students packed the bleachers in the Laguna Beach High School gymnasium to hear former basketball star Earvin (Magic) Johnson speak about the importance of education, his career with the Lakers and how he is coping with HIV. "I talk about HIV to help you to understand that it's out there and it's here to stay, to make you think before doing things," said Johnson, who received a standing ovation from the crowd. "Talk to your teachers.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson's purchase of part ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers is the latest step in one of the most successful post-game careers of any professional athlete. The former Los Angeles Lakers guard has carved out a role as a liaison between big-money investors and the residents of urban neighborhoods who might become their customers in a variety of businesses including theaters, restaurants, stores and apartments. “He is an extraordinary businessman who has done a great job of executing his strategies,” said Ken Lombard, former president of the Johnson Development Corp.

Inglewood High School's gymnasium is being renamed for former Lakers star Earvin (Magic) Johnson. The trustees of the Inglewood Unified School District on Wednesday unanimously voted to make the change, which was first proposed in November after Johnson announced his retirement because he had contracted the virus that causes AIDS. Johnson and his teammates frequently practiced in the high school gym.

Willowbrook Park has been renamed the Earvin (Magic) Johnson Community Regional Park after the onetime Los Angeles Lakers coach and five-time NBA champion. Johnson, who has become an international advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and education efforts since announcing three years ago that he is HIV-positive, promised to visit the 96-acre recreation area regularly.

Hailing Earvin (Magic) Johnson as a "national hero," the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved renaming the Willowbrook Recreation Area in honor of the retired Los Angeles Lakers star. Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, who proposed the change, praised Johnson as a "hero in the field of basketball" and "a great role model" for young people. Johnson announced on Nov. 7 that he was retiring from the Lakers after testing positive for the virus that causes AIDS.

I am glad that Earvin "Magic" Johnson is returning to what he does best. That is, winning NBA championships. Magic has already defeated Dr. J, Larry Bird and Isiah Thomas. Now it's time for Magic to make Michael "Air" Jordan's wings disappear and bring him back to reality. Move over Chicago Bulls, Magic is back and it's Showtime. SHAHAB ZAIDI, Alta Loma

Lakers legend and entrepreneur Earvin "Magic" Johnson made "The Announcement," an ESPN documentary about his life with a frightening diagnosis, to remind people that HIV and AIDS are still both fatal — and preventable. "I am not cured," he says at the film's end. Director Nelson George's moving and informative film does that and more. It highlights, among other things, the wonder that was Magic Johnson as a basketball player, the après-moi madness of L.A. in 1979, the horror of the AIDS crisis, the value and valor of frankness and, perhaps most important, why, despite all the heartbreak they cause, we still need sports heroes.

Magic Johnson Theaters was a blockbuster business story in the mid-1990s, the feel-good saga of a plucky underdog's climb to the top of the heap. Since Johnson and his partner sold their ownership stake in 2004, time and circumstances have been less than kind to the cineplex at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. But new owners for the mall and new operators for the theaters have big plans to rejuvenate the venture. The undisputed success ? considered improbable by many at the time ?

OK everyone, time to daydream a little. Ready to daydream? You there, reading this on the Metrolink: Ready to daydream? Now imagine you are at Staples Center. It's Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The lights go dim as Lawrence Tanter introduces the lineup for the Lakers: At one forward, 6-9 in his fifth year out of North Carolina, James Worthy The other forward, 6-5 in his seventh year out of Seattle University, Elgin Baylor At center, 7-2 in his 11th year out of UCLA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar At one guard, 6-6 in his sixth year out of Lower Merion High School, Ko-beeeeeee Bryant The other guard, 6-8 in his ninth year out of Michigan State, Earvin "Magic" Johnson The head coach, in his 18th year, Hall of Famer Phil Jackson Now, come back to reality.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who has spent his post-basketball career on retailing ventures in underserved urban areas, is targeting another market he figures is in need of help: lending to mid-size companies. The ex-Laker's firm, Magic Johnson Enterprises, is teaming with Los Angeles money manager TCW Group Inc. in a venture to make loans to mid-size businesses with capital raised from big investors, the firms said Monday. The venture, TCW CapitalAssist Management, doesn't plan to help urban firms exclusively, but Johnson is expected to advocate for them in particular.

In the spring of 1979, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and his Michigan State team faced off against Larry Bird and his undefeated Indiana State squad to decide the collegiate basketball championship. Johnson and the Spartans prevailed in a game that introduced much of the nation to two sublime players and, not so incidentally, paved the way for the multibillion-dollar television contract that March Madness now commands. Such is the influence of the Johnson-Bird rivalry, a nexus that continued after they entered the NBA together and rekindled a dormant, bicoastal feud.

In Los Angeles, Magic Johnson needs little introduction. The storied former Lakers point guard is now equally well-known for his community-minded business endeavors. His Magic Johnson Enterprises-affiliated companies and licensing deals make him a big player in L.A., and his name graces movie theaters nationwide, including an AMC-owned multiplex at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. When he's not traveling, the former NBA MVP likes to spend his weekends in the Southland.

Nestle Drops Magic as Endorser: After months of denying that it would drop Earvin (Magic) Johnson as a product endorser, a Nestle Chocolate & Confection Co. spokeswoman confirmed that the Purchase, N.Y., firm "has no plans" to use Magic Johnson to promote products in future commercials. At the same time, Johnson has signed a two-year contract to become spokesman for Skybox International Trading Cards--his first endorsement deal since disclosing that he has contracted the HIV virus.

Expressions of outrage and regret were issued Friday after a pair of Minneapolis talk-show hosts said that Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson "faked AIDS." Johnson revealed in 1991 that he had contracted the HIV virus, but it has never turned into AIDS.