Claim: Magic Johnson 'faked' AIDS

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Minneapolis radio personalities Chris Baker and Langdon Perry have alleged that former NBA star Magic Johnson faked AIDS, a newspaper report said.

The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported Friday the duo made the accusation in a brief exchange during their Wednesday program on politically conservative KTLK Radio (100.3 FM).

The exchange went as follows, the newspaper said:

PERRY: What about diseases that are eminently treatable and you can live with for a long, long time quite healthily if you just get some basic drugs?"

BAKER: Like Magic Johnson.

PERRY: Like Magic with his faked AIDS. Magic faked AIDS.

… BAKER: Yeah, me too."

In a written statement Friday afternoon, KTLK program director Steve Versnick called the comments "off-hand." The newspaper report did not say whether the claim was serious.

The station said it "recognizes the seriousness of the health issues presented by HIV/AIDS -- and the great work that Magic Johnson has done across the nation in calling attention to this disease, and the importance of HIV testing and treatment."

Johnson ended his NBA hall of fame career after the 1991-92 season.