Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Matt Kemp is fired up about the change in Dodgers ownership ... telling TMZ he's "very happy" that Magic Johnson is taking over the team.

Kemp was leaving Philippe Chow (great noodles) in L.A. this weekend ... when he told us, "Magic's the man" ... and noted it's "World Series time."

Kemp isn't the only Dodger fired up about the post-McCourt regime ... Andre Ethier and pitcher Clayton Kershaw have both expressed excitement about the change as well.

When we asked Kemp if Magic was gonna bring a little of the old "Showtime" flair to the Blue Crew ... Matt told us, "I hope so man."

So do we.

Magic Johnson is in as part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers -- and Frank McCourt is out -- after the NBA legend's investment group sealed a TWO BILLION dollar deal to purchase the team ... and the crowd went wild!

Magic and McCourt announced the deal late Tuesday night ... which should unite LA's most storied sports franchise with its most beloved athlete by the end of April.

Magic was the face of the investment group -- Guggenheim Partners -- which closed the $2 billion deal that still has to be approved in federal bankruptcy court. The controlling partner of the team would actually be Mark Walter, CEO of GP.

As part of the deal McCourt would get to buy the land around Dodger Stadium -- mainly the overpriced parking lots -- for around $150 million. Face it Dodger fans ... he's never leaving.

But hey, "In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened" ... we got Magic!

We took your questions today on everything -- including Ronni Chasen's will, Michael Jackson's posthumous Grammy nomination, and Magic Johnson bringing the NFL to Los Angeles.


Plus: Harvey's favorite superhero!

Magic Johnson laughed at the idea of bringing the Oakland Raiders back to Los Angeles last night -- but don't count them out yet ... because Magic told us he has yet to speak with ANY team about his plan to get an NFL squad back in town. 


As you may have heard -- Magic just announced that he's partnered up with AIG to make the NFL thing happen ... but said it's more likely that he will have to get an existing team to relocate instead of starting an expansion squad.

There was talk that he could be targeting the Silver and Black -- but check out his reaction, what do you think?

We took your questions today on everything -- including Junior Seau being released from the hospital, Steven Slater pleading guilty, and Linday Lohan's probation violation hearing.


Plus: Magic Johnson sells his 5% stake in the L.A. Lakers ... from his private jet.

Magic Johnson was literally walkin' on air while selling his 5% ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers -- TMZ has learned dude signed off on the multi-million dollar deal while aboard his private jet.



Sources close to the NBA legend tell us Magic was on a sky phone on Friday -- en route to a YMCA event in Hartford, CT -- while he closed the deal ... worth approximately $35 million.

After Magic touched down, Johnson's agent Darren Prince tells us the Hall-of-Famer donated two pairs of his Lakers courtside seats -- for 2 regular season games -- along with signed jerseys and raised $48,000 for the organization.

Not a bad day.

Magic Johnson is in the middle of a serious health care war -- but shockingly, it's the basketball legend (of all people!) who's being accused of skimping on coverage for people who work in a building he owns.

A guy who works in the Brooklyn Clock Tower -- a building that Magic's investment company is turning into luxury condominium -- confronted Johnson at a book signing over the weekend, arguing how it's unfair for his fellow non-union workers to have to shell out an extra $300 per family member for health coverage.

A rep for Magic's company told Crain's New York the 12 non-union workers ARE paid the union rate of $18.94 for porters and concierges and $20.19 for handymen ... and any decision on expanding coverage is up to the condominium association and the building's managing agent.

Another Magic rep told TMZ every employee who works for the management company gets free health care.

A radio station in Minneapolis is cleaning up the mess left by an idiotic pair of DJs who theorized on-air that Earvin "Magic" Johnson has been faking being HIV positive. Bad taste, line one!

KTLK has released a statement to TMZ saying, "KTLK recognizes the seriousness of the health issues presented by HIV / AIDS -- and the great work that Magic Johnson has done ... We regret that some off-hand remarks by commentators on KTLK did not reflect that. To better inform our listeners and employees, KTLK will be airing HIV/AIDS awareness public service announcements, and will be reaching out to Mr. Johnson to get his thoughts on education efforts."

This once again proves that AIDS is no laughing matter ... unless it's on "Family Guy."

Drum man Travis Barker spent some bonding time with son Landon as they exited Versace yesterday. Baby need a new pair of crocodile loafers!


Later that evening, DJ Samantha Ronson was at her very own "Cheers," Hyde, in Hollywood -- where everyone seems to know her name.

Skateboard legend Tony Hawk was grounded at an X-Games after-party at Avalon. Also X-gaming: Jaime Pressly, who just gave birth in May -- fast recovery supermom! And looking well and rather dapper at an L.A. Stars charity event, Magic Johnson -- the real life iron man!

All this and more in today's Magic show edition of Star Catcher!