You guys are millionaires. He’s a billionaire. I’m hanging out with the billionaire.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson on prioritizing long-term growth over short-term criticism from teammates.
Speaker
Earvin "Magic" Johnson
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises, an investment conglomerate that provides high-quality products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and underserved urban communities. Having left the basketball court for the boardroom, Johnson parlayed the skills and tenacity he acquired on the court into a winning formula for his successful business ventures. Still a commanding presence in the sports world, he made history in 2023 when he became co-owner of the Washington Commanders, a National Football League franchise that was purchased for $6.05 billion dollars. The Commanders acquisition marks the highest purchase price for any U.S. professional sports team to date. He also co-owns the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball, Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club, eSports franchise Team Liquid and most recently joined the ownership group for the National Women’s Soccer League’s Washington Spirit in September 2024. The Lansing native is constantly evolving and remaining relevant in a dynamic digital age by broadening his scope into infrastructure and technology. In 2015, Magic Johnson Enterprises and Loop Capital formed an alliance to create MJE-Loop Capital Partners. The firm raised a fund committed to investing millions of dollars on infrastructure improvement in the United States. Current projects include the John F. Kennedy Airport New Terminal One, LaGuardia Airport Terminal B, and Los Angeles World Airports Cargo Modernization Program. He is also one of the leading investors in a number of technology companies that include Skydio, the first U.S. drone manufacturer to exceed $1 billion in value. Johnson continues to expand his influence through a number of other companies. He currently has controlling interests in EquiTrust, a multi-billion dollar financial services company, and SodexoMAGIC, a food service and facilities management company. The accomplishments and global impact of Earvin “Magic” Johnson are on display in They Call Me Magic, the only first-person account of Johnson’s life from childhood to business. The AppleTV+ project was the top selling documentary series per episode when released in 2022. In January 2025, Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor, from 46th United States President Joe Biden for his exemplary contributions and impact in business, sports, and philanthropy across the world. With his unique positioning as a businessman spanning multiple industries and generations, he aims to help companies expand and foster a positive impact domestically and globally.
Moderator
Brett J. Hart
Brett J. Hart is president of United. In this role, Brett is responsible for United’s global operations – flight, technical and network operations as well as inflight services and safety. In addition, he leads the company’s external-facing functions including the government affairs, regulatory, corporate communications, advertising, market and community innovation, legal, global community engagement and environmental sustainability teams. He also oversees business-critical functions such as the corporate real estate, human resources and labor relations teams. Previously, Brett served as executive vice president and chief administrative officer for United, where he oversaw the company’s legal and environmental affairs; corporate security; corporate real estate worldwide; government affairs; community affairs; and international, regulatory and policy matters for the airline. Prior to joining United in 2010, Brett was executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Sara Lee Corporation, where he directed global legal operations for the corporation. After joining Sara Lee in 2004 as assistant general counsel, Brett held positions of increasing responsibility including deputy general counsel and global compliance officer. Before joining Sara Lee, Brett was a partner at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal in Chicago. Prior to that, he served as special assistant to the general counsel at the U.S. Department of Treasury in Washington, D.C. Brett received his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and English from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School. He is married and has three sons.
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