BACK AND FORTH WITH MAGIC JOHNSON

     MAGIC JOHNSON told the BOSTON GLOBE on Friday that his new
theater venture would probably keep him from returning to the
NBA.  Johnson, in a joint venture with Sony Theatres, has opened
the Magic Johnson Theater in L.A., with the opening week response
reportedly very successful.  Johnson: "This theater really calls
on me not to go back to play basketball (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/15). But
on Saturday, Johnson's agent LON ROSEN, said that Johnson's
remarks were taken out of context and said Johnson will make a
decision in the next couple of weeks on returning to the NBA
(AP/Mult., 7/16).