It’s usually the other way round. Shaq usually credits one NBA legend for paving the way for him. Since his days in the draft combine, the LSU upstart was taken under the wing by a freshly-retired Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Magic created the multi-preneur that Shaquille O’Neal is. Funnily enough, this time the senior Lakers legend can call his former protege for tips on how to walk a different path. Specifically, while leading a parade down this way.

Lakers legend, Magic Johnson was announced as the 2026 Grand Marshal of the 137th Rose Parade. The parade precedes the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, one of the biggest tournaments on the college football calendar that’s held in California. And although Magic’s a basketball superstar, this honor was a long time coming.

After the announcement at the Rose Court earlier today, Johnson took to social media to thank his home state for the honor. And also dive into a bit of nostalgia.

“WOW! I am deeply honored to be announced as the 2026 Grand Marshal of the 137th Rose Parade. I remember watching the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game with my family growing up in Lansing, MI. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that God would blessed that same kid with an honor of this magnitude. To be named Grand Marshal for the Rose Parade, and to build on my legacy and represent my family on this stage is not something I take lightly. I look forward to both the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl this year. Now more than ever, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses is so important to honor the strength, resilience, and unity of the Altadena community as they continue to rebuild.”

Johnson proceeded to thank the President of the Rose Parade, Mark Leavens, and the Executive Committee that selected him as well as the Rose Court for “for being so poised and welcoming at today’s announcement.”

While a native of Michigan and a diehard supporter of the Spartans, Magic Johnson is an icon of Los Angeles’ sports and a California resident. One might think this is overdue. But his recent efforts in Pasadena make the timing perfect.

Magic Johnson can consult the parade expert

The Rose Parade is Pasadena’s representative sports event. It’s only been skipped during the World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade and the tournament reflect the city’s resilience, especially after the way 2025 went. Pasadena reeled from devastating wildfires this year, but locals have steadily bounced back from loss.

NBA stars like Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, and more aided the rebuild in multiple ways amid their philanthropy in Lakers territory. Magic mobilized his Dodgers’ connection, i.e. Dodgers and new Lakers owner, Mark Walters, to pledge $100 million for the LA Rises wildfire recovery initiative. He referenced the grit Pasadena has shown this year when he thanked the city for selecting him.

Although Magic said he’s watched the Rose Parade since he was a kid, he can get tips from seasoned Grand Marshall Shaquille O’Neal, who is still waiting for Magic to take his 1vs1 challenge. A year ago, the big guy led the City of Gainesville’s 2024 A Very GNV Holiday Parade as Grand Marshall right before he attended his youngest kid, Me’Arah’s basketball game at Florida.

And this year, he brought his larger-than-life personality to the New Orleans Mardi Gras spectacle as the King Bacchus of the Krewe of Bacchus parade. The organizers had to construct a special throne that could fit the Big Aristotle. It was one of the most hyped Mardi Gras parades of recent years ,with O’Neal throwing tiny basketballs to the crowds and entertaining them. The limited edition throws from the 7’1″ Bacchus’ float were worth $3 million. The chants of ‘Hail Bacchus’ even infected the TNT studio later.

Shaq’s a natural at this parade thing. He could advise Magic on how to liven things up at the Rose Parade.

One might argue that Magic has experienced one parade more than Shaq during their respective NBA careers (two more if we only count the Lakers championships between them). However, when the Showtime Lakers were winning NBA titles in the early ’80s, the championship parades were a new phenomenon that cities had yet to learn to organize. Magic’s first ever championship parade after the 1980 title was touted as a poorly-organized disaster. The route wasn’t equipped for over 6,000 fans and Magic, Kareem, and the crew couldn’t make it to the City Hall back then.

The next four parades were an improvement. And by the time the Shaq and Kobe Lakers brought back-to-back championships to LA, these parades were improved to grand spectacles. That still makes Shaq the king of the cavalcade over Magic.