- Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson vacation in Europe together this summer
- Johnson was recently named the fourth sports billionaire by Forbes
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Magic Johnson opened up to Jimmy Kimmel about his relationship with Michael Jordan after the NBA icons vacationed together in Europe this summer.
Johnson was recently named America’s fourth billionaire athlete by Forbes magazine, following Jordan, Tiger Woods and LeBron James.
During the summer, the two vacationed in Sardinia with their wives, and Jordan often relaxed on a yacht in the Mediterranean.
In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel on the show, Johnson said that neither he nor Jordan could believe the lifestyle they were living.
“Jimmy, it’s funny – none of us ever thought we’d be in this position,” Johnson explained. Going out on the yacht and being able to go to dinner with our wives and go to Europe.
“It was exciting for both of us and we had a lot of fun.”
Kimmel asked Johnson who paid for the meal when they went out together.
“We flip a coin,” Johnson said. “It’s his, his face is on both sides!”
During one of their summer nights in Europe, Hollywood actor Samuel L. Jackson joined them for dinner at the world-famous Da Paolino Ristorante in Capri, Italy.
Johnson also shared a video to his story of him and Jordan being sung by a band in a restaurant, captioning a photo of him from the night: “Tonight we were at the world famous Da Paolino Ristorante aka Lemon Had an incredible dinner at Tree Restaurant. Capri, Italy.
“I also spoke with my good friend, the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, his wife Yvette, Sam (Samuel L. Jackson) and LaTanya Jackson, Greg Judge and Lynn Damasi, John Palmer and Vicki Palmer hanging out together. ‘
Jordan recently sold a controlling stake in the Charlotte Hornets for $3 billion, cementing his status as one of the richest men in sports.
Speaking about his newfound billionaire status, Johnson told Kimmel: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen like this. Even on your show – you Also reminded of the Jonny Carson days, watching it at home in Michigan.
“God has blessed me and I’m so grateful, but it also takes a lot of effort. Everyone thinks they know you – a distant cousin of friends, and I have about 10 of them.
Johnson made many savvy investments outside of basketball — he made an estimated $40 million during his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Magic bought a 60% stake in an Iowa-based life insurance company called EquiTrust in 2015 and has been making big money for years.
What’s more, it’s the largest asset in Magic Johnson’s corporate portfolio. Since taking over, Magic has grown the company’s total assets from $16B to $26B, with annual revenue of approximately $2.6 billion, according to Forbes.
He also took a minority stake in Commander earlier this year.