Chris Lyons

President, a16z Halo, Andreessen Horowitz

Search every verified Chris Lyons interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. On February 9, 2026, Chris Lyons, President of a16z Halo at Andreessen Horowitz, released a conversation with Earvin "Magic" Johnson titled "Inside The Life of Silicon Valley's First Athlete Investor." During the discussion, Johnson detailed his business career, including the purchase of the Los Angeles Dodgers for $2.2 billion, which he said was criticized as an overpayment but is now valued at $8 billion, and his ownership stakes in the Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Sparks. Johnson also credited mentors Michael Ovitz and Dr. Jerry Buss, and advised the next generation of athletes and entertainers to pursue equity deals and build their own brands rather than accepting traditional endorsement checks. Lyons and Johnson also discussed the broader shift among celebrities and athletes toward owning companies and investing in startups. Johnson stated that "most of the rich people before us took the knowledge with them, didn't share it," and emphasized the importance of sharing business wisdom. Lyons praised Johnson as an inspiration for bridging sports and business, and the two agreed on the long-term value of sports teams as an asset class.