Magic Johnson clarifies Sparks' ownership structure as the franchise claims a top spot among valuable women's teams.
Magic Johnson’s post-playing career continues to reflect the same combination of visibility and influence that defined his Hall of Fame tenure, this time intersecting with the rapid rise of women’s professional sports.
After a 13-season NBA career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson has built one of the most successful business portfolios of any former athlete. Forbes estimates Johnson’s net worth at $1.5 billion, fueled by investments across food service, real estate, health care and entertainment. A significant portion of that wealth stems from his stake in EquiTrust, a life insurance company that oversees approximately $27 billion in assets.
Johnson’s business reach has extended well beyond traditional investments and into professional sports ownership. He holds stakes in several prominent franchises, including the Washington Commanders in the NFL, the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball, Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, and the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA. That portfolio placed him at the center of recent attention after Forbes released its annual valuation of women’s sports teams.
The Sparks were ranked No. 13 among the most valuable women’s sports franchises in 2025, receiving a valuation of $235 million and placing eighth among WNBA teams. The ranking underscored the league’s continued growth and the Sparks’ standing as one of its flagship organizations.
Johnson publicly celebrated the recognition but also moved quickly to correct a key detail in the Forbes report. The publication initially listed Eric Holoman as the owner of the Sparks. Holoman serves as the franchise’s managing partner and governor, but Johnson clarified that he is not the majority owner.
In a post on X, Johnson explained that the team’s controlling owner is Mark Walter, whose ownership group includes Johnson, Todd Boehly, Robert Patton, Stan Kasten and Billie Jean King. Johnson added that Walter appointed Holoman to manage the organization’s day-to-day operations.
The clarification carried added significance given Johnson’s long-standing involvement with the franchise. Johnson and Walter led the ownership group that purchased the Sparks from the WNBA in 2014, a move that helped stabilize the organization and position it for long-term growth during a pivotal period for the league.
Forbes later updated its article to reflect Walter as the Sparks’ owner, resolving the discrepancy. The correction did little to diminish the broader takeaway for Johnson and the ownership group: the Sparks have emerged as one of the most valuable properties in women’s professional sports.
The valuation reflects rising media rights, increased corporate investment and growing fan engagement across women’s basketball. For Johnson, whose post-NBA career has been defined by strategic investments and visibility in ownership circles, the Sparks’ ascent represents both a financial milestone and a validation of his long-term commitment to women’s sports.
Even with the brief ownership mix-up, the moment marked another chapter in Johnson’s evolution from basketball icon to influential power broker, one whose impact continues to be felt far beyond the court.