Magic Johnson Stuns Michigan State with Massive Gift — Donates Two Custom Luxury Buses to Spartans Football: “This Is Home, and We Ride Like Champions” ……
Magic Johnson Stuns Michigan State with Massive Gift — Donates Two Custom Luxury Buses to Spartans Football: “This Is Home, and We Ride Like Champions”
East Lansing, MI – June 16, 2025 — Michigan State University football received a stunning surprise this week from one of its most iconic alumni. NBA legend and MSU great Earvin “Magic” Johnson gifted the Spartans football program two fully customized luxury buses, a gesture that has left the athletic department, players, and fans in awe.
The announcement was made during a special ceremony held at Spartan Stadium, where the gleaming, state-of-the-art buses were unveiled to thunderous applause. Johnson, who helped lead the Spartans to a national basketball title in 1979, was emotional as he addressed the team and staff.
“This is home,” Johnson said. “And we ride like champions now.”
The buses, which reportedly cost over $1 million each, are outfitted with top-tier amenities, including reclining leather seats, entertainment systems, full Wi-Fi connectivity, custom lighting, and Spartan green-and-white interiors featuring the school’s logos and slogans. Each bus was designed to give student-athletes the most comfortable and professional travel experience in collegiate sports.
“I want these young men to feel like they matter — that we believe in them, and we support them every step of the way,” Johnson said. “This is about pride, legacy, and showing the world what it means to be a Spartan.”
Head coach Jonathan Smith, entering his second season with the Spartans, was visibly moved by the donation. “This is more than just transportation,” Smith said. “This is a statement of belief. It shows these guys that they are part of something bigger — a tradition of excellence. Magic has always been a leader on and off the court, and today he just took it to another level.”
The gift comes as the Spartans continue to rebuild and push toward national prominence after recent seasons of transition. University President Kevin Guskiewicz called the donation “a transformational moment” for the athletic program and praised Johnson for his unwavering commitment to his alma mater.
“Magic Johnson embodies what it means to be a Spartan,” Guskiewicz said. “His leadership, philanthropy, and vision have had a profound impact across our campus for decades, and this latest gesture is just another testament to his love for MSU.”
Johnson, who has remained a vocal supporter of Michigan State across athletics and academics, has contributed millions over the years to various university initiatives, including scholarships, business school programs, and facility upgrades. But the luxury buses, emblazoned with the words “Spartan Strong” and “Ride with Pride,” may be among his most visible and personal gifts.
As the Spartans prepare for the 2025 football season, players say the new buses have already become a source of motivation.
“When Magic says we ride like champions, we believe it,” said senior linebacker Devin Matthews. “Now it’s on us to play like it.”
With Johnson watching proudly from the sidelines, the Spartans will roll into the upcoming season not just with new wheels — but with renewed confidence and an enduring reminder of what it means to come home.
