It’s not every day you hear about sneakers raking in seven figures, but Magic Johnson just pulled it off. His custom-designed kicks, auctioned to fund college dreams for children of incarcerated parents, smashed records by raising $1 million. Inspired by Johnson’s move, two-time MVP Steve Nash joined the auction scene with his own set of custom ‘Nike Air Force 1s’. While his heartwarming mantra, “I always try to be kind to people,” resonated deeply, the highest bid he managed to secure was a modest $850.

Steve Nash put a call out to all philanthropists to rally behind the Steve Nash Foundation, offering not just sneakers, but an inspiring piece of art. Designed by Rico Worl, the Nike Air Force 1 ’07s drew from the Tlingit story, Raven and the Box of Daylight. For those unfamiliar, it’s a powerful tale of a trickster bringing light to the world—a fitting metaphor for Nash’s mission of spreading positivity through his work.

Even more impressive, the collaboration between Nike, Nash, and Worl wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was personal. Worl, a passionate basketball fan, infused every inch of the sneakers with storytelling. From the celestial blue-brown palette symbolizing the cosmos to the handcrafted silver cabochons representing stars, the details were stunning. The silver-and-lapis accents captured the spirit of Raven in mid-flight.

Despite the design’s genius, when the auction wrapped up on December 15, the bids barely nudged past $850, a far cry from the $525 minimum starting bid.

But numbers don’t define Nash’s mission. Much like Johnson, his focus remains unwavering—helping children thrive.

Founded in 2002, the Steve Nash Foundation emphasizes providing every child access to health, education, and development opportunities, regardless of their circumstances. “Growing up, my parents really modeled a community ethic for my siblings and me—it was just a given that part of existing in society meant contributing in some way,” Nash shared.

And while his sneakers may not have broken records, his drive to improve children’s lives continues to make strides—one initiative at a time. And not just Steve Nash, Magic Johnson is also ready to do whatever he can.

Magic Johnson’s million-dollar step towards change

Magic Johnson’s kindness isn’t just limited to the court—it’s as expansive as his basketball legacy. From owning multiple sports franchises to promoting health causes, the billionaire has always been about giving back. This time, he joined forces with the My Cleats My Cause campaign to auction off custom-designed sneakers for an inspiring cause.

His mission?

To support college funds for children whose parents are incarcerated. For this heartfelt project, Johnson partnered with ScholarCHIPS, a local organization uplifting such students.

Interestingly, this organization has a personal story behind it. Yasmine Arrington, shaped by her own challenges, launched ScholarCHIPS after receiving a $1,000 grant through the LearnServe program. What started as a small initiative has now helped over 50 students graduate. And with the December 12 auction officially wrapped up, her efforts have gained a massive boost—thanks to Johnson’s million-dollar contribution, a new chapter of opportunity begins for these kids.

“We are very grateful to Magic Johnson for his generosity,” Arrington shared during the auction. “My dream, my goal is to raise at least one million dollars, and then a portion of that, or all of it, we will take and make an endowment.”

With Johnson stepping in, her dream is no longer just a goal—it’s reality.

For Johnson, this wasn’t a first. The Lakers icon, known for using his $1.2 billion fortune for good, donated $600,000 to Delaware State University last year and pledged another $1 million. Supporting ScholarCHIPS perfectly aligns with his enduring commitment to transforming lives.