From the NBA to NBAA: Magic Johnson Opens the NBAA 2019 Convention in Las Vegas

Inspired by eco fuels, urban mobility and urban development this year’s NBAA-Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition opened with keynote speaker Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Descending from the stage at 6’9 ft. tall, he welcomed the crowd with open arms, a gesture which was returned through a ripple effect of applause and admiration for one of our generation’s most successful personalities. “I like to be among the people,” he said and that superhero quality shined like a morning star to hundreds in attendance. Johnson is among the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, three-time National Basketball Association most valuable player and a Dream Team Olympic Gold Medalist.  

Today he leads as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises, an investment conglomerate valued at approximately 1 billion dollars. His goal is “to rebuild America” and part of it is becoming a reality through infrastructure investments in the aviation industry, to help in the rebuilding of the LaGuardia, Denver International and John F. Kennedy airports. The other side is having partnered with Starbucks to open 125 Starbucks franchises in 40 cities and inspired by his first meeting with CEO Howard Schultz also invested in his first aircraft.

 “When I first started playing basketball, we had to fly commercial. I am still surprised that we won all 65 games in a year, flying in those tight airplanes,” said Johnson. On the road more than 200 days a year for business and flying to multiple cities for appearances or meetings, he credits the private aviation industry to have added years to his life. “To get me back faster to my family it has been a blessing owning an aircraft. Thank God to all of you because this aviation business has meant a lot to guys like myself who have to travel a lot.”

 The Starbucks venture has not only introduced Johnson to private aviation but also to a $3 trillion underrepresented niche market in urban America, each Latino and African American market with a spending power of $1.5 trillion. It was the perfect match because the market looked like him in many aspects, another side which he continues to be proud of.

“The headlines in the paper said no way minorities will pay three dollars for a cup of coffee,” said Johnson. The turning point was when, “I had to take the scones out of my Starbucks and put sweet potato pie and things that resonate with the urban consumer.” Then he replaced an Aerosmith playlist to Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind and Fire.

“I was happy, and they were happy. That is why I was able to build a successful business in urban America,” said Johnson.

 With the aviation industry under a pilot shortage Johnson is also involved in STEM activities through the Magic Johnson Foundation. His vision is to especially stimulate communities of young minorities to discover the industry and their potential within it. Also descending from the stage to meet Johnson halfway in a one-on-one interview was NBAA President Ed Bolen and asked Johnson about the current pilot shortage issue.

“What’s the message and who’s the messenger? You need a messenger like myself who looks like them to deliver the message that these opportunities are available,” replied Johnson.

 “Now they’re like, ‘oh wow I didn’t know I could be in that industry. A lot of times minorities just don’t know they can be in the industry. People want jobs, people want opportunities. That’s all minorities want. The aviation business could give them a lot of that.”

 Among the aviation veterans that he casually said hello to while walking through the crowd, was Clay Lacy and King Schools National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) inductees Martha and John King. Johnson also helped 87-year-old Lacy stand up for a picture and both reminisced of a time when Johnson had brought his newly acquired Gulfstream III to Clay Lacy. “Clay, remember when I bought my GIII and asked if you had a spot for me?” Clay remembered seeing him hundreds of times getting in that airplane and having wished they had the chance to connect more. “What you have done for all of us, at Clay Lacy Aviation has been amazing. God bless you!” added Johnson.

With plans to place two logos on each side of his airplane tail, the Dodgers on one side (Johnson is the co-owner of the Dodgers) and the Lakers on the other, at the encouragement of his wife Cookie Johnson he also wants to buy another airplane, a larger one. “The same disciplines that I had as a basketball player it is the same discipline that I have now as a CEO. I love to overdeliver to the customers that we serve. I am competitive as “hell.” I hate to lose. I love to win.”

Energized by Magic Johnson, President Bolen declared the NBAA-BACE 2019 officially open and the most unique in its history so far.

National Business Aviation President Ed Bolen welcomes on stage Earvin Magic Johnson during the NBAA-BACE convention in Las Vegas.

Clay Lacy and Earvin “Magic” Johnson take a picture during the NBAA-BACE 2019 convention at the Las Vegas World Trade Center.

Photography Credits by DIAMONDS MIRROR Photographer Kashea Kloss