On Saturday, November 23, the NWSL Championship will witness a high-stakes showdown as the Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit clash at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. The game itself is already massive, but what’s catching even more attention is the brewing rivalry between two basketball legends. Orlando Pride co-owner Grant Hill has thrown down the gauntlet to Washington Spirit co-owner Magic Johnson, and fans are loving the hype.

Amidst all the excitement, Hill raised the stakes with a fiery video posted on his social media. “Hey, Magic, I know you’re my hero, basketball hero, and you know I got nothing but love for you,” Hill began. But the tone quickly shifted as he added, “I’m gonna see you in Kansas City, ‘cause right here, Orlando Pride (points to the Orlando logo on his polo) will see your Washington Spirit come Saturday in Kansas City. Hopefully, you’ll be there, ’cause I know I’ll be there.”

Grant Hill joined Orlando Pride’s ownership in 2023, while Johnson became part of Washington Spirit’s ownership group just this September. Their presence brings even more star power to this championship clash.

On the field, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Orlando Pride’s journey to the Finals has been particularly inspiring—after years of playoff struggles, the team finally broke through with a stellar season, earning a spot in the championship for the first time since their NWSL debut.

They went an incredible 23 matches unbeaten before a couple of late-season losses. But when it counted most, they delivered, defeating Chicago Red Stars and Kansas City Current to secure their place in the Finals.

Washington Spirit, on the other hand, took a different path. A late-season surge saw them lose just once since July, propelling them to the second seed. However, if you think that the tension between the two NBA icons is just in the NWSL, we have news for you!

Grant Hill’s rivalry with Magic Johnson runs deeper

The Detroit Pistons legend’s post-basketball career has been incredible. From managing USA Basketball to owning stakes in NBA (Atlanta Hawks, 2015), MLS (Orlando City, 2023), and NWSL (Orlando Pride, 2023) teams, Hill has mastered the art of staying relevant off the court. But even with all those accomplishments, there’s one regret he can’t seem to shake—a missed chance that could’ve made him a direct competitor to Magic Johnson in every respect in the world of sports ownership.

Not long ago, Hill dropped a surprising revelation during an interview with Bloomberg Live. When asked about WNBA investments, he confessed, “Yeah, well, I mean, full disclosure, I tried to look into buying the [Atlanta] Dream back in 2017, and that didn’t quite work out.” The statement raised eyebrows and sparked curiosity. How did this failed deal shape his dynamic with Magic Johnson?

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The Lakers icon, for his part, has solidified his empire with ownership stakes in five major teams. These are the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, the NFL’s Washington Commanders, MLS (Los Angeles FC), MLB (LA Dodgers), and NWSL (Washington Spirit).

Meanwhile, Hill holds shares in three teams. If the Dream deal had gone through, it would’ve brought him a lot closer to Magic’s level. Instead, the gap between them remains glaring—at least for now.

Still, Hill isn’t giving up. Reflecting on women’s sports, he shared, “I wish I could go back to 2017.” He’s optimistic about the future, inspired by rising stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. With daughters who are athletes and a youth program dedicated to girls’ basketball, Hill’s passion for women’s sports is evident. Who knows? He might just catch up to Johnson after all.