Pasadena Tournament of Roses officials announced that Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson will serve as Grand Marshal of the 137th Rose Parade, scheduled for Jan. 1, 2026. The Los Angeles Lakers legend will ride along Colorado Boulevard and later take part in the pre-game ceremony for the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 112th Rose Bowl Game.
Johnson won five NBA championships with the Lakers before retiring in 1996. Since leaving the court, he has built a wide-ranging business portfolio and launched the Magic Johnson Foundation, which supports underserved communities. He also co-founded LA Rises, a private-sector initiative directing resources to wildfire recovery efforts across Southern California.
The 64-year-old remains deeply involved in sports ownership. He joined the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership group in 2012, celebrating World Series titles in 2020 and 2023. Johnson is also part-owner of Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club, the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, the NFL’s Washington Commanders, and the NWSL’s Washington Spirit. He has publicly expressed interest in becoming an NBA owner in the future.
Lakers Majority Stake Sold to Mark Walter
In a separate development, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of a controlling interest in the Lakers to Dodgers principal owner Mark Walter. The transaction has been completed, making Walter the franchise’s majority owner.
“The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most iconic franchises in all of sports,” Walter said in a statement. “Few teams carry the legacy and global influence of the Lakers, and it’s a privilege to work alongside Jeanie Buss as we maintain that excellence and set the standard for success in this new era, both on and off the court.”
Jeanie Buss will remain Governor of the Lakers and will continue overseeing day-to-day operations for at least the next five years. “He has demonstrated time and time again his commitment to bringing championships to Los Angeles,” Buss noted, adding that she is “beyond excited about what our future has in store.”
Source: Lakers Nation
