San Francisco Examiner - October 2, 2001

In 1991, Johnson established the Magic Johnson Foundation to raise funds for community-based organizations that deal with HIV/AIDS educational and prevention programs. The mission of the foundation has expanded since its inception. Today, the foundation is dedicated to serving a variety of educational, health and social needs of urban youth.

Q: You're somewhat of a rare breed in the African-American community in that you have put so much money into underserved communities. Why do you think other successful African Americans haven't done so?

A: I don't understand it and it makes me upset. We all grew up in the same communities -- communities like Oakland. And then when they have arrived they have made it -- they're too good to go back. They think somebody's going to tear their building up or something.

But that's not right. There's $500 billion spent by minorities in America each year. And they embrace you because you're one of them. You're successful, you've made it and it shows them they can too. (Other successful minorities) should be looking at me and following my lead.

And part of it is because of myths in the past that minorities don't know about money. That's our big problem. And athletes have to learn about money too.

Yes, we made a good living, but we still have to have the qualities to make it last for a long time. It's my great pride and joy to say "That's your (my) company" ... "That's your biz." ... It makes my heart feel so good.

I hope that it changes in the next couple of years. If minority communities are going to survive -- they need entertainment and sports figures and others giving back.

Q: What do you think has been the secret to your business success?

A: Common sense: demand and supply. If you know minorities have $500 billion spending power -- you know they have to eat, they have to go to movies, they want to drink coffee. You know, it's common sense. If you have 3 million people in a five- or six-mile radius and they don't have anywhere to go, that's it.

Q: All 26 of your Starbucks shops rank in the top 5 percent in their region. I was surprised to read that they are so successful in poorer communities because a cup of Starbucks' coffee is so expensive.

A: People love coffee in the morning to get their day started. And they're gonna go. When we opened our TGIFriday's restaurant in Atlanta, a woman who had been there for 40 years came up to me and said, I couldn't get a salad for 40 years in my own community. You know what I'm saying? Movie theaters, same thing.

Here we are with the 24-Hour Fitness here in Richmond. People had to go somewhere else before they came here and now they're happy to be here.

Q: Do you think the NBA is as good today as it was in the past?

A: They haven't caught up yet, but they're making steps in the right direction. There's finally some great players again.

(Allen) Iverson did great job ... Shaquille (O'Neal) -- Fans are starting to adjust to new stars. In past it was Larry (Byrd), Michael (Jordan), myself and others. It takes time but we're starting to see a change.

Q: In the past, the hot NBA rivalries included Boston-Los Angeles and Philadelphia-Los Angeles. What are the hot rivalries today?

A: The Western division is still tough. The Lakers and Sacramento -- I think Toronto and Orlando are great teams.

Q: What do you think of the lack of African-American managers and owners in the professional sports?

A: I think, first of all, it's a travesty. It's not doing that sport any good to let them play on the field but not let them be managers -- whether it's in football or baseball. We know the game, we can manage, we can be presidents of teams. We have money. We could be owners if we had gotten those opportunities. But I think that's going to change. I'm hoping that as more and more men in baseball get to be managers, and not only mangers but also get to be president of a club, making decisions. Where they can run those teams because we can do that.

Q: What do you think about the possible return of Michael Jordan to the professional basketball game?

A: I'd love it. I'll be cheering for him 150 percent. But I wish he wouldn't do it because the way he went out, he's never going to be able to duplicate that. But if he can handle being 75 percent of himself, if he can handle not being able to win with the team that he's going to be returning to, then I'm all for it. If he's happy, I'm happy.

Q: Who is your favorite professional basketball player in today's game and why?

A: I have a few of those. Chris Webber is one of them. I love watching Jason Kidd. I think Tracy McGrady is fantastic. Uh, Allen Iverson and Vince Carter of course. And then two guys on our team, I love watching Kobe (Bryant) and Shaq.

They are so awesome together as a twosome. I think they're the most dynamic twosome in the league and they prove that every night.

And then the one guy who will always be my favorite is John Stockton. I think he's just the pro's pro. He's so smart. He knows what to do. He knows how to set people up for their shot and delivers the right type of pass when he delivers it.

Q: Would you ever consider becoming a sports commentator or TV analyst?

A: No, no. I love being part owner of the Lakers. I'm enjoying that and if the guys from Golden State ever want to sell, we'll talk about that.

Q: How's your health?

A: My health is wonderful. And HIV has been getting a lot of new medicine coming out. Doctors and scientists are doing a great job. And I'm enjoying my life. I like getting out here educating people about HIV, raising money for it, opening a new clinic and I'm just happy.

Q: What major changes would you like to see nationally in terms of HIV?

A: Oh, just more from the government. More money. More programs for people who have HIV and AIDS. More housing -- I think that's important too.

Q: There has been talk that longtime East Bay organizations felt slighted by your Oakland HIV clinic. They complained it didn't hire medical people, takes funding from long-standing local groups and doesn't participate in community-based activities.

A: I understand them and I applaud them. They've been in the fight before Magic Johnson had HIV. We don't have to be about the same thing. As long as we're sharing and taking care of people.

The main thing is that those people get care. As long as patients get proper care -- that's what matters to me. If there's no specialist in Oakland, we need to fly one in.

Forget politics. People die because of politics.

I go to my own beat. I don't go to what programs or the government or what other people say. So if I build a clinic, it's going to be what I think is needed. It's the same with everything I do. I know what's needed ... I know what that situation is all about before I even get involved.

Mine is one of the only foundations that has put money into almost every state in this country for HIV and AIDS. So let's talk about things like that.

Q: I know you're not a big fan of rap music, I don't suppose you'll have any rap in your new club?

A: No we're just going to have good quality music so people can really get into their workouts. And that's what we do. All my business is first-class. Only first-class things can come in here.

I do enjoy rap music. I like the ones that have clean lyrics. Those that have clean lyrics will be in here.

Q: Who's your favorite jazz musician?

A: Kenny G. Jeff Lobert. I have so many of them, who do you want first? I go all the way back to the old ones, Donald Bird. Joe Sample. All those types of people. Miles Davis. Grover Washington. Don't be starting me on no jazz now or I'll be talking a long time.
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