NBA retired player Magic Johnson. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Hall of Famer Magic Johnson will not return to ESPN as an NBA analyst.
Johnson said in a statement released by ESPN on Thursday that his busy schedule will not allow him to perform his duties as an analyst.
“I don’t feel confident that I can continue to devote the time needed to thrive in my role,” he said.
Johnson has been a minority owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2012.
Since retiring from the NBA in 1996, he has been a successful businessman and HIV activist. Johnson initially left the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1991-92 season after announcing he had HIV. He played in the 1992 Olympics and came back to the Lakers for the 1995-96 season before re-retiring.
He joined ESPN in 2008 and his role expanded in 2011. He became part of the Dodgers’ investment group in March 2012.
“I will always feel a strong connection to the ESPN family and I enjoyed working with them very much,” Johnson said.
