Yes, I said $2 BILLION!
Now that the forgettable reign of the dysfunctional McCourts is finally over in Los Angeles, this city and the Dodgers can turn over a new leaf with the familiar smile and style of Magic!
After the news broke of the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers to Magic’s group, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol reacted to the news after Tuesday night’s win over the Golden State Warriors via Ben Bolch of the L.A. Times:
“I’m upset he didn’t cut me in,” Bryant said jokingly. “I’m going to have to talk to him about that.”
But Bryant has a hard time seeing himself ever owning a sports team.
“No. Well, I mean, if it’s in a big market like Los Angeles or something like that, then yeah.”
“Magic’s got his hands everywhere, man. But I’m happy for him. Obviously, everybody knows how well loved he is in Los Angeles and he’s starting another chapter in his life and another chapter in his post-NBA career of rebuilding the Dodgers’ franchise.”
Pau Gasol also talked about Magic Johnson taking a chance on the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Lakers legend’s accomplishments off the floor:
“It’s incredible. He’s a great model to follow as a top athlete that has accomplished so much on the floor. I think what he’s been able to do off the floor has been even more impressive, so you really have to take your hat off to him because it’s just remarkable what he’s doing,” Gasol said.
“He just continues to build on it and it’s a great example for many athletes to understand what he did, what it took. He actually came into the locker room last year and gave us a little talk about how he got there and all the things that he’s done. How much he’s done is incredible. But also it takes good partnerships, good relationships and he invested his time to do that, so I think he’s definitely somebody we all should all look up to as far as post-career basketball.”
Needless to say, it is a happy day in Los Angeles as now big-names on the current Dodgers’ roster like Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and reigning NL Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw can breathe a sigh of relief along with the countless Dodgers fans anticipating a bright future with Magic Johnson and company at the helm.