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Magic Johnson — keynote speaker on Athletes & Sports

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Athletes & Sports keynote speakers

Magic Johnson

NBA Hall of Famer, Entrepreneur, and Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient

Speaking feeFee on requestConfirmed for your date on request
  • Keynote · Fireside chat · Moderation
  • English
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Headliner can arrange a booking with Magic Johnson or their representative. This profile is compiled from public sources; availability and fees are confirmed on request. A listing here does not imply endorsement, affiliation, partnership, or exclusivity.

Signature keynotes

What your audience walks away with

  • Outcome

    The Magic of Winning: Leadership & Team Culture

    The leadership habits that drove five NBA championships, translated for the boardroom: how to build a winning team, set standards, elevate the people around you, and lead when the stakes are highest. Delivered by one of the greatest team leaders the game has ever seen.

  • From the Court to the Boardroom: Building a Business Empire

    His most distinctive business talk. Magic tells the story of how a basketball icon became one of the country's most successful entrepreneurs, building Magic Johnson Enterprises by investing in underserved communities and partnering with brands like Starbucks. A practical, inspiring look at strategy, conviction, and the long game.

  • Resilience & Reinvention: Turning Adversity Into Purpose

    In 1991, Magic announced he was HIV-positive and walked away from the game at his peak. What he did next, becoming a landmark advocate and a business leader, is one of the great reinvention stories. A candid, powerful talk on facing the unthinkable and building a bigger life on the other side.

  • The Magic of Caring for Others: Community, Purpose & Giving Back

    Philanthropy, urban development, and the responsibility that comes with influence. Magic shares why giving back is central to how he defines success, and how organizations can build purpose into their growth.

  • Entrepreneurship & Diversity: Investing Where Others Won't

    The strategy and belief behind bringing capital, jobs, and opportunity into diverse and historically underserved communities, and why that has been both good business and good citizenship.

The story

Who Magic actually is

Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is one of the most accomplished figures in the history of American sport and business. Born in Lansing, Michigan, in 1959, he led the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships, was named NBA Most Valuable Player three times, made 12 All-Star teams, and retired as the league's all-time assists leader with the highest career assist average in NBA history. He had already won an NCAA title with Michigan State in 1979 and would add Olympic gold as a co-captain of the 1992 "Dream Team." He is a two-time Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, as an individual and as a member of the Dream Team.

In November 1991, Johnson announced that he was HIV-positive and retired from basketball, a disclosure widely credited with reducing stigma and reshaping public understanding of the disease. He became a landmark advocate and founded the Magic Johnson Foundation, which has grown from HIV/AIDS awareness into health, education, and community work.

Off the court, Johnson built Magic Johnson Enterprises into a multibillion-dollar business, with holdings that have included a franchise partnership with Starbucks, the SodexoMAGIC food-service venture, movie theaters in underserved neighborhoods, and a controlling stake in EquiTrust Life Insurance. He is also a prominent sports owner, with stakes across the Los Angeles Dodgers, LAFC, the Los Angeles Sparks, and the Washington Commanders. In January 2025 he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. The author of My Life and 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business, he remains one of the most in-demand voices on leadership, entrepreneurship, and resilience.

The receipts

Books & publications

  • My Life

    1992

    Johnson's candid 1992 autobiography (written with William Novak), covering his rise, the Showtime Lakers, and his HIV announcement.

  • 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business

    2008

    Johnson's 2008 playbook drawing the leadership and strategy lessons from his career into a practical guide for entrepreneurs.

Gravity

Career highlights & recognition

  • Milestone1980

    Five-time NBA champion

    with the Los Angeles Lakers (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)

  • Milestone1980

    Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player

    and three-time NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987)

  • Recognition

    Two-time Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

    12-time All-Star, and the NBA's all-time leader in career assists average

  • Milestone1979

    1979 NCAA champion

    with Michigan State and 1992 Olympic gold medalist with the Dream Team

  • Credential

    Chairman & CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises

    a multibillion-dollar business built on investment in underserved communities

  • Milestone

    Sports owner

    with stakes across the Los Angeles Dodgers, LAFC, the Los Angeles Sparks, and the Washington Commanders

  • Award

    Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient

    the nation's highest civilian honor

  • Milestone1991

    Landmark HIV advocate

    and founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation (1991)

Booking with confidence

What to expect when you book Magic

  • 01

    Compiled from public sources

    This profile is built from public, verifiable material and stamped with the date it was last reviewed. Nothing here is a claim we cannot trace to a source.

  • 02

    Availability and fees, confirmed

    Tell us your date and brief, and we confirm Magic's availability and current fee on request. We never publish a fabricated figure or imply an exclusivity we do not hold.

  • 03

    Managed end to end

    From first inquiry to the day itself, Headliner handles briefing, contracting, and logistics, so your team can focus on the event.

Answers

Booking questions, answered

What is Magic Johnson's speaking fee?

Magic's fee is provided on request. It varies by date, location, format, and whether the engagement is in person or virtual. Share your brief and we'll come back with current pricing and availability.

Is Magic Johnson available for my event date?

Availability changes with Magic's schedule and the season. Tell us your date and we'll confirm whether Magic is open, and hold the slot while you decide.

How do I book Magic Johnson for my event?

Magic Johnson is booked through Headliner. Tell us your event date, audience, and goals, and we'll confirm availability and the next steps — typically within four business hours.

How much does Magic Johnson charge to speak?

Magic's fee depends on date, location, format, and whether the session is in person or virtual. It is provided on request, so share your brief and we'll confirm a precise figure and availability.

Can I hire Magic Johnson for a corporate event?

Yes. Magic is represented for speaking engagements through Headliner on a non-exclusive basis and regularly takes corporate keynotes, conferences, and leadership events. Share your brief to check availability.

Can I book Magic Johnson for a virtual keynote?

Yes. Magic presents virtual keynotes as well as in-person sessions. Virtual fees are typically quoted below a live keynote, so tell us your format for a precise quote.

What formats does Magic offer?

Magic is available for Keynote, Fireside chat, Moderation and Virtual engagements. We'll match the format to your audience and run-of-show.

What does Magic speak about?

Magic's keynote themes include Team & Culture, Winning Mindset, Comeback and Diversity. Each talk is tailored to your audience and outcomes.

What languages does Magic present in?

Magic presents in English.

Where does Magic travel from?

Magic is based in Los Angeles, CA and travels internationally for engagements; virtual sessions are also available.

Profile updated . Compiled from public sources — confirm current fees and availability with Headliner.

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