Earvin “Magic” Johnson In 1979, the NBA fan base saw the game being played in a way never seen before. There was no question that Earvin Johnson played the game like no other. Earvin Johnson, a renowned player of the Los Angeles Lakers, showed off his basketball skill for 12 years. Known for having high numbers in assists, Earvin Johnson, also known as “Magic”, had the ability to see where everyone was on the court, and make unexpected passes. Aside from his basketball career, Magic became a huge advocate of AIDS and HIV awareness, while also writing a book about safe sex. Throughout the course of Magic’s life he worked as a player, businessman, and in the fight against AIDS and HIV. To begin with, Magic Johnson was born on August 14, …show more content…
Magic accounts for having sexually intercourse with multiple women. Magic’s career had a huge impact on his sex life. “During the `80s,`` Johnson wrote in ``My Life,`` ``the Lakers were seen as the sexiest and most glamorous team of all.``After a game, there would be 40 or 50 women waiting in the (hotel) lobby to meet us. Usually the women waiting for us would pretend to be interested in autographs. But you might sign that autograph and write down your room number beside your signature. Or you might write your name and whisper, `See you in an hour” (Magic Discusses How He Got Hiv."). Magic’s statements in his book, “My Life”, shows that girls was just another part of the lifestyle of a NBA player. Back then many people believed that only gay men could contract AIDS/HIV, in fact AIDS/HIV used to be called GRID (Gay-related immune deficiency) (Altman). Magic contracting HIV showed that gay men weren’t the only ones that could be infected. “His announcement is viewed by some as a turning point in how Americans viewed a virus which some said was only a 'gay disease (Reporter, Daily Mail.).” Magic contracting HIV also had an impact on the NBA, “That same year the NBA established several protective measures to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, including the rule that any player who is cut must leave the game and are not allowed to return unless the bleeding has stopped (Reporter, Daily …show more content…
Magic created a company called Magic Johnson Enterprises, which introduced well-known brands to neighborhoods that were ethnically diverse ("Overview."). Unexpected of a former NBA player, Magic starts partnerships and owning franchises in the food industry, also buying teams outside of basketball. ”He had partnerships with Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness, T.G.I. Fridays, AMC Theatres” ("Magic Johnson Net Worth."). Magic’s net worth is five hundred million dollars as an entrepreneur. Magic Johnson Enterprises owns and has many investments in a variety of companies from radio stations to sports teams. As of September 12, 2012, Magic owns 2.3 percent of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Neyer). Before selling his shares, Magic owned 4.5 percent of the Los Angeles Lakers ("Magic Sells Ownership Stake in Lakers to Doctor."). Not only was Magic a successful basketball player, he later became a very successful