When Magic Johnson joined the NBA in 1979, he quickly became the league’s most popular player, earning both the championship and MVP award in his first season. At the conclusion of the guard’s second season in the league, the Los Angeles Lakers, seeing he was a generational talent, extended an unprecedented 25-year, $25 million contract to him.
It was the largest deal in NBA history at the time. Many experienced players, including Magic’s Lakers teammates, were taken aback by the historically large $25 million that was offered to a player starting his third season in the NBA.
Magic Johnson speaks about jealousy amongst teammates
Jimmy Kimmel recently spoke with Johnson about the infamous contract and the reasons behind his teammates’ intense discomfort with it. The Hall of Famer gave an explanation of their jealousy. Magic delved into NBA players’ psyche to elucidate the opposition to the agreement.
He declared,
“[My Lakers teammates] were not happy because it was more money than anybody had ever received…Players don’t see the long-term. It’s all about the short-term. What Larry [Bird] and I did for the NBA, to this day, guys are capitalizing on. So now, they’re making $50 million a year.”
Johnson continued, saying that when he entered the league, the NBA was so low on the ladder that broadcasters didn’t even show the Finals live. The Lakers great stated that he watched the first broadcast of the 1980 NBA Finals in his hotel room after guiding the Lakers to a series-clinching Game 6 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Johnson’s admission illuminates the extent of the NBA’s popularity growth. The Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics’ 1981 NBA Finals was the lowest-rated championship series until 2003, according to Nielsen Media Research.
