EAST LANSING, MI — July 3, 2025 — Michigan State University is celebrating yet another show of love and loyalty from its most iconic alum, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, after the NBA Hall of Famer made a stunning and heartfelt donation to the Spartans football program — two fully customized, state-of-the-art luxury team buses.
Announced today during a surprise appearance at the MSU athletic complex, the gift is valued at over $2.5 million, making it one of the largest transportation-related donations in the university’s athletic history.
“This is home,” said Johnson, standing proudly beside the Spartan football team. “I wanted our guys to travel like champions because that’s exactly who they are — not just as athletes, but as young men preparing to lead. Michigan State gave me everything. This is just one way I can give back.”
A Gift Built on Comfort, Pride, and Spartan Spirit
The two buses — wrapped in bold green and white with custom Spartan branding, LED lighting, memory foam seating, high-tech film study monitors, and nutrition stations — are designed to provide both style and function. Players and staff will now be able to travel in elite comfort and efficiency across the Midwest and beyond.
MSU head football coach Jonathan Smith called the donation “a game-changer,” adding, “These buses are more than transportation — they’re a statement of belief in this program and our future. Magic’s generosity means the world to our team.”
A Champion’s Legacy Off the Court
While Magic Johnson is best known for leading MSU to the 1979 NCAA basketball championship and his storied NBA career, he has remained one of the university’s most dedicated supporters. From scholarships to healthcare donations to community programs, Johnson’s giving has touched nearly every part of campus.
Athletic Director Alan Haller praised the latest gesture as “pure Spartan heart,” noting that Magic’s loyalty “goes beyond basketball — he believes in every team, every coach, and every student who wears the green.”
Spartans Ride in Style
As the Spartans prepare for the 2025 football season, they’ll do so with a renewed sense of pride — and some of the sharpest wheels in college sports.
Because when Magic gives, he gives big — and always for home. 💚🚌🏈
