Pepsi Promotes New TV Ad Featuring Magic Johnson

LOS ANGELES - Earvin "Magic" Johnson is starring in a national television commercial for Pepsi-Cola Co. for the first time since he disclosed last fall he has the virus that causes AIDS.

The commercial shows the retired Los Angeles Lakers star practicing basketball in a gym, interspersed with shots of people encouraging him.

Johnson was at a preview last night of his new commercial, which will air during tomorrow's broadcast of the major league baseball All-Star Game. It is part of a campaign called "We Believe in Magic."

Johnson's disclosure that he had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, led to speculation that he would be dropped as a commercial spokesman.

Nestle SA, for example, has never run commercials it shot before the disclosure that featured Johnson for Nestle Crunch candy bars.

"From day one, Earvin and Pepsi have been 100 percent committed to continuation of our partnership," said Craig Weatherup, president and chief executive of Pepsi-Cola North America.

Pepsi is also sponsoring a pilot program for "The Magic Playroom," special play centers in hospitals that care for children with AIDS.

Johnson retired from pro basketball last November on the advice of his doctors. But he is a part of the U.S. Olympic basketball squad dubbed the "Dream Team."

"I'm having the time of my life right now," Johnson said.