One-on-one with Magic Johnson

SunCoke gets permit to build $360M plant
Updated 19 min. ago
Road crews take advantage of break in snow
3:42 p.m.
Former Butler County girl on Sports Illustrated cover
3:02 p.m.
Weather prompts closings, postponements
2:32 p.m.
Psych evaluation ordered for teen accused of raping 64-year-old woman
2:26 p.m.
> More headlines

By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer Updated 8:31 AM Thursday, November 12, 2009

FAIRFIELD — Earvin “Magic” Johnson is not only one of the best NBA players in history, but a successful entrepreneur.

He owns several types of businesses. He has an ownership stake in the Dayton Dragons, initiated the Magic Johnson Foundation and says he would like to have business investments in the Cincinnati area.

Johnson had a legendary career at Michigan State and with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also has a legendary rivalry and friendship with fellow basketball Hall of Famer Larry Bird, who played at Indiana State and for the Boston Celtics.

This month, the book he co-wrote with Bird and sports writer Jackie MacMullen, “When the Game was Ours” was released. In November 2008, Johnson published “32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business,” which he talked about Monday, Nov. 9, at the Mercy HealthPlex in Fairfield.

Question: Why did you write “32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business?”

Answer: I wanted to share information with those who are either a small business owner or want to become a business owner. It’s important that people who are successful share information to help those in need of that information. That’s why I wrote it, to share experience and what made me successful.

Q. What were your impressions of Mercy HealthPlex?

A. The audience was incredible. Mercy just did a wonderful job in inviting the community, and there were a lot of kids and families out. I was really happy about that. It was just a tremendous event.

Q. How has the book been received?

A. It’s been incredible. The book has been very well received and people just really love it. We’ve been getting people calling us saying, “Thank you because this gave me the blue print to start my business or increase my sales in my business.”

Q. Why “When the Game Was Ours?”

A. Larry and I have been wanting to do something together for a long time. We we’re going to both do individual books so we decided to do it together and tell the story. It just made sense for us to do it together.

Q. What do you like the most about the book?

A. I think living the game through both our eyes — how he saw the rivalry in the games, and how I saw it through my eyes. That’s the most memorable — how he felt when we won in ’79 (the NCAA Championship) and seeing how he felt in ’84 when they beat us in the NBA championship.

It talks about friendships and two competitive men. At the end of the day, after we competed we could be friends. They’ll get a lot of life lessons out it.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

he's done really great things for the inner city community...much kudos to him
http://www.budget-van-lines.com

Jeff
5:12 PM, 1/26/2010

REPORT ABUSE

I agree that he is really great in that area.I am amazed that he is also a good entrepreneur.Anyway, thanks for sharing this post.

http://www.myvillagegreen.com

Compound Pharmacy
12:28 AM, 12/11/2009

REPORT ABUSE

I know that magic is really good in playing basketball. Many people loves him. Seeing him as an entrepreneur is cool. Well, writing the
32 ways to be a champion in business can help business owners or those people planning to have their business. This is really a great interview!

Regards,
http://www.ezbusinessloans.com

Business Loans
7:55 PM, 11/16/2009

REPORT ABUSE

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.