Just last month, Magic Johnson added another piece of hardware to his legendary collection. How? As a part-owner of Team Liquid through Axiomatic Gaming, the 5x NBA champ saw his esports squad pull off a dominant 3-0 win over Gaimin Gladiators at The International, the biggest Dota 2 tournament. Given Gaimin Gladiators’ reputation, this wasn’t just another championship—it was a statement. With Team Liquid going undefeated in the playoffs, Johnson marked his 17th career title with a custom championship ring.
Following the big win, Johnson wasted no time showing off his latest addition on social media. “Last September, Team Liquid Dota made history, becoming the first team to ever go undefeated in the playoffs on their way to winning the Dota 2 World Championship at The International 2024! I just unboxed my custom championship ring from @teamliquid and Axiomatic Gaming—what an amazing addition to my collection!” he wrote on Instagram.
“I’m now up to 17 championship rings: 11 with the Lakers, 1 with the Sparks, 1 with LAFC, 2 with the Dodgers, and now 2 with Team Liquid!”
But Team Liquid wasn’t done celebrating their part-owner just yet. They had a one-of-a-kind tribute. As Johnson opened a mystery box, he couldn’t hide his excitement. “Let’s see what it is. As you know, I love gifts and surprises,” he said. Inside? A custom blue plushie, rocking his iconic #32 Lakers jersey and holding a basketball.
With a huge smile on his face, Johnson admired the thoughtful gesture. “It got my own jersey on right there. Yes, 32. Name on the back. Of course, of course. Got the ball. You know I know what to do with it,” he said. “You know what? I’m going to have this right on my desk to remind me, Liquid, how successful we are as an organization, you know? Number one, baby. Number 1. That’s right. Number 1. This is very cool.”
But do you know while Magic Johnson got a beautiful and, of course, meaningful merch once, he missed out on Dream Team merch?
Magic Johnson’s missed merch jackpot 33 years ago
No one can define Magic Johnson’s success only with basketball. While he was winning on the court, he was also building a business empire. Back in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, he saw a golden opportunity—literally. With the Dream Team’s global hype, he figured getting his hands on Team USA merchandise would be a smart move for his store.
But things didn’t go as planned—not because of poor strategy, but because of overwhelming demand. The Dream Team’s jerseys and jackets flew off the shelves before Johnson could even secure a batch. Frustrated, he pointed out just how fast everything sold out.
“We’ve made more money for them (the USOC) than anyone who’s ever been in the Olympics. (USA Basketball) jerseys and things were sold months before we ever got here,” he told the Chicago Tribune in 1992. “Champion can’t make enough jerseys. I’m trying to get some for my own store and I can’t. They can’t print enough, they said.”
Had the suppliers kept up, Johnson could’ve turned the merch into a massive payday. But no one expected the Dream Team’s popularity to explode the way it did. “We can’t go anywhere without being mobbed,” he recalled. Though he left Barcelona with a gold medal, his merch dreams stayed just that—a dream.
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