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Despite steady rain along Colorado Boulevard, the 137th Rose Parade found its sunshine in Ervin “Magic” Johnson.
Ervin “Magic Johnson Grand Marshall for the 137th Rose Parade preparing for
The coin toss took time to share a moment with US Military Men and women
Photo – Earl Heath
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
Despite steady rain along Colorado Boulevard, the 137th Rose Parade found its sunshine in Ervin “Magic” Johnson.
The basketball icon, entrepreneur and philanthropist officially kicked off the parade as Grand Marshal, greeting the crowd with his signature million-dollar smile and a brief welcome before taking his place in a gleaming 1940 white Lincoln Continental Cabriolet marked “Grand Marshal.” As the car rolled through Pasadena near El Molino Avenue, the rain let up just enough for Johnson to ask Tournament of Roses white-suited escorts to lower the convertible top, giving spectators a full view of him and his wife, Cookie Johnson, who waved warmly to cheering crowds lining the route.
For many in attendance, it felt symbolic — Magic Johnson quite literally bringing out the sun on a rainy New Year’s morning.
A Champion On and Off the Court
Johnson’s selection as Grand Marshal was a nod to a legacy that extends far beyond basketball. A Hall of Fame point guard, Johnson led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships during the 1980s and captured an NCAA title with Michigan State University before turning pro. More recently, his impact on American life was recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
“What an incredible honor it was to serve as Grand Marshal of the 137th Annual Rose Parade,” Johnson wrote on social media afterward. “From the moment I arrived, I felt the love, history, and pride that make this tradition so special.”
He thanked Mark Leavens, president of the Tournament of Roses, along with volunteers, performers and organizers who bring the parade to life each year. Johnson also reflected on the parade’s theme, The Magic of Teamwork, saying it resonated deeply with his life’s journey.
“I’ve been a team player my whole life — whether it’s on the basketball court, in business, or in the community,” he wrote. “The Rose Parade represents more than a celebration — it’s about community, unity, and bringing people together across generations.”
Business, Ownership and Community Investment
Since retiring from basketball, Johnson has built an equally impressive career in business. As chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, he has invested in clean energy, healthcare, restaurants and entertainment ventures, with a consistent focus on underserved communities.
In 2012, he became part owner of the champion Los Angeles Dodgers, and his sports portfolio has since expanded to include stakes in multiple professional teams. For many in Southern California’s Black community, Johnson represents a blueprint for leveraging success into long-term community wealth and opportunity.
Living Openly With HIV
Johnson’s public life has also been defined by courage. In 1991, the sports world was stunned when he announced he was HIV-positive and retiring from the NBA. At the time, misinformation and stigma surrounding HIV were widespread, and attempts at a comeback were met with fear from some players who did not understand how the virus is transmitted.
Johnson later told ESPN he contracted HIV through heterosexual sex. Rather than retreat from public life, he committed himself to education, advocacy and health. He never developed AIDS and has remained healthy, benefiting from medical advances that now allow people living with HIV to live long, full lives.
His announcement helped shift public empathy and understanding, coinciding with breakthroughs in treatment that transformed HIV from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition for many.
In October, Johnson announced a new partnership with venture capitalists and Alchemy to fund and build in-house pharmacy programs aimed at expanding patient care and improving outcomes for people living with HIV.
“Investing in Alchemy is deeply personal,” Johnson wrote, “not only as a person living with HIV, but because I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of HIV in our communities.”
Stepping Up for Altadena
Johnson’s commitment to community was also evident in his response to January 2025 wildfires that devastated Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Alongside Dodgers chairman Mark Walter and 2028 Olympics organizer Casey Wasserman, Johnson helped form LA Rises, an initiative focused on rebuilding fire-affected neighborhoods.
Altadena, a historically Black community where generations of homeowners lost their homes, has been a particular focus.
“He and Cookie are a great help to L.A. and are huge figures in our community,” said La Wanda Scott-Walters, whose family home burned in the Eaton Fire. She attended the Rose Parade despite the rain, saying she draws strength from storms.
Cookie Johnson summed up the day from the sidelines of the Rose Bowl game: “We got up early this morning to be here, and it was well worth it when you look at the people’s faces.”
On a gray, rain-soaked morning, Magic Johnson reminded Southern California that leadership, resilience and community spirit can still shine bright.