After Wife Cookie Threatened to Leave Him, Magic Johnson Bribed Her With $1Million Just to Prolong

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson is one of the most beloved NBA players ever. He faced a lot of challenges in the latter part of his career in the NBA and with the Lakers. Johnson was diagnosed with HIV and had to retire in 1991 after this shocking announcement. However, that wasn’t the end of Magic Johnson. He returned again to play but he had to make a promise to his wife.

His wife, Cookie threatened to leave him in case he plays more than a season. Moreover, he had to pay her an absurd sum of money as a bribe in order to return as revealed by the former NBA champion himself during an interview with the Los Angeles Times back then.

Magic Johnson ‘bribed’ his wife to get her permission

Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar formed a dynamic duo and led the Lakers in the 1980s. Their playing period constituted one of the most memorable periods in league and franchise history. Fans around the world were dealt a shock when Johnson decided to retire after revealing that he had tested positive for HIV.

Back then, it was considered a death sentence. Johnson survived and he wished to return back to action but his wife was not happy with his decision.

After much persuasion, she agreed to let him play on one condition; his return should last for one season only or she’ll leave him. Additionally, Johnson also paid his wife a million dollars in the form of a bribe during this period.

Magic Johnson said, “My wife told me, ‘That’s it, one (season) and get out.’ Or she’ll leave me. Cookie always told me I was coming back: ‘No way you’re working out three times a day, and you’re not coming back, you can’t tell me.’ I said, you haven’t given me your OK yet. So I bribed her. I gave her a million dollars.”

As history goes, he would lead the Lakers for one more season in 1996. Although the team results were poor, he got the farewell he deserved.

Johnson managed to put up decent numbers on his return

Coming back from retirement is never easy. Considering the severity of Johnson’s health, playing basketball at such an elite level was a huge task in itself. 

Johnson played 32 games during the 1995-96 season while starting 9 games. He retired formally after this season averaging a decent 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds.

WATCH THIS STORY: Magic Johnson Drops the Hammer on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as LeBron James Nears Iconic NBA Scoring Record

What is your favorite memory of Magic Johnson? Let us know in the comments down below. 

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