Alex Rodriguez Credits Magic Johnson for Inspiring NBA Team Ownership

Alex Rodriguez, a former Major League Baseball star and current co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx, credits a life-changing conversation with NBA legend Magic Johnson for inspiring his transition from athlete to sports owner. Meeting Johnson in 1996 when Rodriguez was 21, the encounter helped him envision a future beyond baseball and motivated him to pursue NBA ownership after retiring. Rodriguez and businessman Marc Lore now hold an 80% stake in both teams, with Rodriguez serving as governor of the Lynx. Rodriguez's baseball career included notable achievements with the New York Yankees, though it was marred by a 2014 suspension related to PED allegations. Meanwhile, soccer star Sergio Ramos surprised many by joining Mexico's CF Monterrey in 2025, opting for the number '93' in honor of a memorable Champions League moment. James Rodriguez, a Colombian soccer icon now playing for Club Leon in Mexico, has had a diverse career across Europe, Saudi Arabia, and now North America, reflecting a broad international trajectory.