On a bright October morning in Pasadena, confetti rained down and applause filled the air as Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer, businessman, and social activist, was officially named grand marshal for the 137th Rose Parade, set to take place on January 1, 2026. The announcement, delivered by the Tournament of Roses at the historic Tournament House, marked a poignant moment for Johnson and the greater Los Angeles community.
The theme for the upcoming parade, “The Magic in Teamwork,” was selected by Tournament President Mark Leavens well before the January wildfires that swept through the area. Yet, as Leavens explained, the theme now feels even more timely, highlighting the power of community collaboration in the face of adversity. "Our grand marshal has been involved in teamwork on the very highest level," Leavens remarked, adding with a grin, "I don’t think we’ve ever had a grand marshal in the Tournament of Roses history whose nickname has literally been in our tournament theme." According to the Pasadena Star-News, Johnson’s selection was met with broad enthusiasm, reflecting both his legacy on the basketball court and his impact beyond sports.
At precisely 11:25 a.m. on October 8, Johnson emerged from behind blue and gold curtains, greeted by a shower of confetti and the cheers of those gathered. Dressed in an immaculately tailored grey suit with a red corsage, he spoke for six minutes without notes, sharing heartfelt reflections. "It’s right up there," Johnson said when asked where the honor ranked among his many accolades. "I’m just lost for words. Normally Magic is not lost for words but I am lost for words." Growing up in the Midwest, Johnson recalled, the Rose Parade was a cherished New Year’s Day tradition—never imagining he would one day be at its helm.
Johnson’s deep Midwest roots—he remains a proud “Big Ten guy”—shone through as he recounted watching past Rose Bowl games, which traditionally pitted the Pac-10 against the Big Ten. He expressed particular excitement about participating in the pre-game coin toss at the 112th Rose Bowl game, which, as tradition dictates, will follow the parade on New Year’s Day. This year, however, there’s a twist: the game’s start time has been moved up to 1 p.m., shrinking the window for Johnson, the Rose Court, and other officials to make the trip from the parade route to the stadium for pre-game festivities.
For Johnson, the day’s significance was heightened by the presence of his mother, who, he said, was thrilled to see her son honored in such a way. He admitted he hadn’t yet decided who would join him in the parade car, leaving the door open for surprises come January.
But Johnson’s mind was also on another beloved team: the Los Angeles Dodgers. As part owner, he confessed that the only thing that could make the day even more perfect would be a Dodgers win in their National League Division Series game against the Philadelphia Phillies that very night. "If I could just get a win tonight with my Dodgers, oh man, this will be the most awesome day that I could ever think of," Johnson said, as reported by the Los Angeles Daily News.
The announcement event took place just miles from Altadena, a community still reeling from the devastation of the Eaton fire, which ignited only days after the 2025 Rose Parade. Johnson took a moment to address those affected, voicing hope that survivors would receive the resources they deserve. "I hope that most of them will rebuild," he said. "It was such an incredible community and they’re staying strong, but we as a city, as people we need to help them with the resources." His words underscored the parade theme’s focus on collective effort and resilience.
At 66, Johnson’s career achievements are staggering: five NBA championships, three NBA Most Valuable Player awards, three NBA Finals MVP honors, nine All-NBA First Team selections, and 12 All-Star Game designations. He led Michigan State University to an NCAA title in 1979, earning his iconic nickname “Magic” at Lansing Everett High School. Later, as co-captain of the 1992 “Dream Team,” he helped secure Olympic gold in Barcelona, cementing his status as one of basketball’s all-time greats.
Yet Johnson’s influence extends far beyond the hardwood. After retiring from the NBA in 1991 following his HIV diagnosis—a moment that shocked the world—he launched the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team that brought exhibition basketball to fans worldwide. He also became a leading advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention, using his platform to promote health education and destigmatize the disease. More recently, Johnson has taken up the cause of raising awareness about RSV, a respiratory virus that claims an estimated 14,000 lives annually among adults aged 65 and older. "I’ve always talked about, whether it was HIV, AIDS and now RSV, it’s really important that I come to the people," Johnson explained of his work with the “Sideline RSV” campaign. "It’s one thing to do a commercial, it’s another thing to be live and in person and shake people’s hands and really tell them: ‘Look, get your physicals. If you’re feeling something, go to the doctor,’ because a lot of times what happens, we don’t go when we first feel something, right, and RSV, you can be a healthy person and don’t even know you have it."
Business and philanthropy have also defined Johnson’s post-NBA journey. Besides his stake in the Dodgers, he is a co-owner of the WNBA’s Sparks, Major League Soccer’s LAFC, and the NFL’s Washington Commanders. Despite receiving offers to buy into NBA teams like the Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons, and Atlanta Hawks, Johnson has consistently declined, unwilling to compete against his beloved Lakers. Notably, he was at the helm when the Lakers signed LeBron James, and he remains optimistic about the team’s prospects: "I think they’re going to be the best team in the West this year," he said recently.
For his contributions to sports and the community, Johnson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden in January—a testament to his enduring impact both on and off the court.
Since 1890, the grand marshal has served as the ceremonial lead of the Rose Parade, riding down Colorado Boulevard and later participating in Rose Bowl festivities. Johnson’s selection is just one of several milestones leading up to parade day, with the announcement of the 2026 Rose Court and the soon-to-be-revealed Rose Queen adding to the anticipation.
As Pasadena prepares for the New Year, the city and its visitors can look forward to a Rose Parade led by a figure who embodies its theme—someone who has demonstrated, time and again, the magic that happens when people come together for a common cause.
