Football in LA?

I have closely followed the campaigns over the last several years to bring NFL football back to Los Angeles. LA used to have two NFL teams and now has none! Crazy, right? Especially, because Los Angeles is the second largest media market in the country, and therefore, a huge money maker for the NFL.

Well, today there has been a new exciting development for football in LA. Magic Johnson, who recently sold his stake in the LA Lakers (and his Starbucks chains), announced that he has teamed up with AEG to bring a NFL team to LA. Johnson did not announce which team is in the running, but rumors are swirling around the San Diego Chargers as the likely candidate.

I would normally be skeptical of a scheme like this actually coming to fruition, but AEG has a good plan for a downtown LA stadium and the Chargers desperately need a new facility. Plus, it's my birthday so gotta be optimistic today!

NFL needs Magic to come back to LA?

Earlier this week Sportsgirl reported that Magic Johnson sold his share of the Los Angeles Lakers. Well Magic has increased his liquidity by also selling his share of Starbucks outlets. These business moves have driven the speculation as to what Magic may invest in next .... well, word on the street is that his goal is to help bring the NFL back to Los Angeles. (Yes, the National Football League, not basketball.)

Johnson stated that he "really, really wants the NFL to come back to L.A." However, he has not had any discussions with the league itself.

Clearly, this talk is all very premature, but I am down with anything and everything to bring the NFL back to LA, the second largest media city in the U.S. It's just crazy that there is no team in la-la land, especially with all the money and investors involved in this move over the last decade. Maybe Johnson has the "magic" needed to make the NFL come to Hollywood.

Lakers Lose their Magic

Remember NBA player Magic Johnson from back in the day? Of course you do, because he is one of the best bballers of all time. Well, since his days as a player (Magic played all of his 13 seasons in the NBA with the Lakers), Magic briefly coached the Lakers, became a broadcaster, and bought a 4.5% stake in the Lakers franchise. Yesterday, it was announced that Magic sold his share in the team to Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, a 25 year Lakers ticket holder and more importantly, successful physician, buisnessman, and teacher.

Apparently, Magic sold his share with the hope of one day purchasing a larger stake in a professional team. (Recently, Magic has shown interest in purchasing a large stake in the Detroit Pistons.) Can the Lakers go on without Magic on their side?