Magic Johnson endorses LA Mayor Bass amid rift with ex-Lakers owner
Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson endorsed Mayor Karen Bass for re-election in the Los Angeles mayoral race on Monday, diverging from his former boss Jeanie Buss.
Bass shared a video of Johnson's endorsement on her social media. Johnson cited his 30-year friendship with Bass, along with her work on homelessness and declining homicide rates, as reasons for his support. He praised her performance, saying she has done a "tremendous job" and deserves a second term.
Jeanie Buss, Lakers CEO and co-owner, donated the maximum allowed $1,800 to challenger Spencer Pratt's campaign last month, according to FOX 11 in Los Angeles. Buss and Pratt also attended a Lakers playoff game together over the weekend.
Pratt, a former reality television star, has campaigned against Bass over her handling of the 2025 wildfires, which caused at least a dozen deaths and billions in damage. An activist who lost her home in the Palisades fires, Samantha Ettus, has backed Pratt, criticizing Bass's management of homelessness and slow rebuild efforts.