Few voices in sports command both respect and results like Magic Johnson. Known for his unmatched vision on the court and sharp instincts in the boardroom, Johnson has seamlessly transitioned from a five-time NBA champion to a billion-dollar mogul and a multi-team owner. But beyond his rings and riches, it is the ethos he brings, that team-first mentality, standards that demand perfection, along with an understanding of the player’s emotion, that has begun shaping the Washington Commanders in more ways than one.

When Johnson speaks about culture, it’s not theory, but it’s a blueprint. Sitting down with Alex Rodriguez on Bloomberg Originals, the Hall of Famer pulled back the curtain on his NFL team-building philosophy, and it’s apparent that fancy facilities and costly acquisitions define no winning team. “Losing’s gotta be a bad taste in your mouth,” he declared. “And then we gotta be a team. We lose as a team, we win as a team.” Johnson’s words act both as a motivation and as a warning.

The caution was direct: agendas ruin locker rooms. “It can’t be hidden agendas—that kills you every time,” he said, leaning into his experience. Having joined the $6.05 billion ownership group of the Commanders in 2023, Johnson has taken a very active role in the decision-making process at the Commanders. From supporting the 2024 draft pick Jayden Daniels to the hire of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, his fingerprints already reflect the Commanders’ development. But while the external challenges are evident, the new hires and a new quarterback are Magic’s real mission to fully transform the internal culture of the team.

“Well, because, you know, we talk about preparation… it starts in practice,” he explained. “You gotta practice the way you’re gonna play on Sunday. So that starts on Monday all the way through.” It’s this Monday-to-Sunday mentality, rooted in consistency along with the collective accountability, that Johnson believes adds the magic to the team while also separating the contenders from pretenders. And his words are not taken lightly in the locker room.

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Although Josh Harris, the Commanders’ controlling owner, deals with most of their financial situation, Johnson’s cultural impact is inevitable, and he is aware of it. “I walk in with 17 damn World Series or world championship rings,” he said. “So I’m walking in with jewelry, so they understand that language real fast.” For players who might tune out executives in suits, Johnson’s championship resume and Hall of Fame identity are a universal translator. “They respect us already,” he added. “I can say something that Mark [Lore] can’t say… because they’re gonna look at me and say, ‘Oh, he’s been through it.’”

That credibility has translated into tangible changes. The Commanders, long stuck in mediocrity, are beginning to display signs of renewed energy, which could lead to something positive in the NFL. Magic Johnson credited early team meetings where he emphasised the elimination of personal agendas and the importance of buy-in at every level, no matter how big a star you are. If your agenda does not fit with the team’s, you are not going to generate something positive for the crest. “It trickles down within the locker room,” he noted, underlining how a single selfish mindset can corrode the entire structure.

With Magic Johnson helping to steer the franchise, the NFL team’s ambitions now go beyond win-loss records. His role aligns with a broader legacy, one of increasing minority representation in sports ownership and prioritising community outreach in the DMV area. Whether it’s with the WNBA’s Sparks, MLB’s Dodgers, or MLS’s LAFC, Johnson’s formula is consistent as he demands excellence and is ready to invest in his people while never compromising the culture. And in Washington, where years of dysfunction have plagued the team, Magic’s message is clear: respect the process, respect the locker room, and leave the ego at the door when you represent the crest.