(Photo by Rich Arden / ESPN Images)(LOS ANGELES) — Magic Johnson is back in the fold at the Staples Center.
The Los Angeles Lakers legend will rejoin the team as an advisor, the team announced on Thursday. “We are thrilled and honored to add Magic’s expertise and abilities, and I look forward to working alongside him,” team president and co-owner Jeanie Buss said in a statement.
Johnson previously worked with the team as an honorary vice president. He resigned from that role last summer.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver touted Johnson as “one of the NBA’s greatest players” and said it is “terrific to see him returning to the Lakers.”
“He is truly a special person and a natural leader with a relentless passion for basketball and profound knowledge of the game,” Silver added.
Johnson is also a minority owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He previously owned shares of the Lakers, which he later sold.
According to the Lakers, Johnson will be “advising ownership on all business and basketball matters, collaborating with coaches, evaluating and mentoring players, assessing future franchise needs and helping ownership to determine the best path for growth and success.”
“Everyone knows my love for the Lakers,” Johnson said. “Over the years, I have considered other management opportunities, however my devotion to the game and Los Angeles make the Lakers my first and only choice.”
“I will do everything in my power,” he added, “to help return the Lakers to their rightful place among the elite teams of the NBA.”
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