The Los Angeles Lakers made sweeping changes in their front office on Wednesday by promoting Magic Johnson from his role as advisor to Los Angeles Lakers President Jeanie Buss to president of basketball operations.
In relation, executive vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak were relieved of their duties, effective immediately. Although Buss is no longer leading the Lakers front office, he remains part of the ownership group.
For Johnson, he’s now in the spotlight with two major sports franchises in Los Angeles, as he’s also a member of the Dodgers ownership group. Plus, Johnson is part of the Los Angeles Football Club (MLS) ownership group, and has a stake in the Los Angeles Sparks.
According to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times, Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten explained Johnson will remain in his capacity with the Dodgers:
From the Due Diligence Department: Magic Johnson's new gig with the Lakers does not affect his standing in the Dodgers ownership group.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) February 21, 2017
Stan Kasten: "Whenever we need Magic, he's been available. That won't change."
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) February 21, 2017
Johnson is not the only Dodgers executive to have a role with another professional sports franchise, as Peter Guber is a Guggenheim partner and also owner of the Golden State Warriors.
Whereas Johnson is now the top executive in the Lakers front office, his role with the Dodgers has largely been ceremonial. The Hall-of-Fame point guard sat alongside Frank McCourt at multiple games while the sale of the Dodgers was being finalized.
Johnson has offered to make pitches to free agents on the Dodgers behalf, though his level of involvement in such cases is believed to have been minimal.
