NBA legend Magic Johnson left ESPN as an NBA analyst in 2013 just a few weeks before the 2013-14 season started. He departed amid a litany of rumors, including one that said he didn’t enjoy being on a show with Bill Simmons and essentially being a second fiddle to him on NBA Countdown.
Well, in just about three years a lot has changed. Simmons was essentially forced out of ESPN, he started his own website, joined HBO, created a show and it got canceled in only four months. For Johnson, he became a minority owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and the newly minted Los Angeles Football club while also being forced to relinquish his role with the Los Angeles Lakers.
While Simmons continues to develop his own site, Johnson will be the one rejoining ESPN in his old analyst role and ESPN personality Michael Wilbon will join him, with Sage Steele as a host of ‘NBA Countdown’.
Johnson previously served as an NBA studio analyst from 2008-2013 and he worked alongside Michael Wilbon on NBA Countdown from 2011-2013. Wilbon will continue his regular role as co-host of Pardon The Interruption alongside Tony Kornheiser, among his multiple other responsibilities.
ESPN released the following statement, including some remarks from Johnson and ESPN vice president of original content, Kevin Wildes.
ESPN today announced that Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the two-time Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and sports icon, will return to the company and re-join NBA Countdown as a studio analyst this season, first appearing as part of ABC’s Christmas NBA coverage. From there, Johnson will join NBA Countdown pre-game coverage for the NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC series – the NBA’s marquee game of the week, starting Jan. 21, 2017.
Johnson will re-unite with Michael Wilbon, who is also making his return to NBA Countdown as an analyst this season on Saturday nights. They will join Sage Steele, returning for her 4th season as NBA Countdown host, to form the new Saturday trio. Saturday editions of NBA Countdown begin at 8 p.m. ET and are 30 minutes long, prior to the 8:30 p.m. game broadcast.
Magic Johnson:
“I’m so excited to be working with my ESPN family again on NBA Countdown Saturday nights. Michael, Sage and I are going to have a lot of fun this season while we cover the greatest sport in the world. Basketball has been so good to me, and I can’t wait to once again share my love and passion for the game with the fans and my ESPN colleagues.”
Kevin Wildes, ESPN vice president, original content:
“In addition to being one of the most famous sports figures ever, Magic brings undeniable charisma and virtually unparalleled credibility to NBA Countdown. We’re glad to welcome Magic back to ESPN and to reunite him with Michael Wilbon, who is one of the most popular and authoritative sports commentators in the business. They have an established chemistry from years of working together, and with host Sage Steele leading the charge and setting the tone, this trio will be a delight for NBA fans.”
