Magic Johnson sets sights on Dodgers

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson said Friday he had joined a management group that will try to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I am ready to start right now," Johnson told the Los Angeles Times. "The Dodgers have been so important to this community for so many years, for so many reasons. I've lived through it all like everyone else and I want to make them great again.''

The Dodgers will be put up for bid in the coming weeks and a financial statement is expected to be sent to prospective bidders within the next few days.

The Times reported Thursday that Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban will likely be among those entering the bidding.

Johnson said he had teamed up with Guggenheim Baseball Management, part of a financial services company. The former Los Angeles Lakers star said he joined the group because it included Stan Kasten, who was president of the Atlanta Braves for 17 years.

Kasten would likely run the Dodgers on a day-to-day basis if the group's bid is successful, but Johnson said he would be deeply involved with the franchise.

"The Dodgers are my next big thing," Johnson said in his interview with the Times. "This is not just millions of my money, this is dear to my heart. This is bringing back the brand for the people of Los Angeles.

"When I first got to town, the Dodgers were on Page 1 of the LA Times and the Lakers were on Page 3. I've seen how the Dodgers can be as big as the Lakers and I want that to happen again.''