In an interview Friday with Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson left open the possibility of retiring after the 2009-10 season. Excerpts from the interview received wide pickup this weekend before the full interview aired Sunday during ABC's Lakers-San Antonio Spurs broadcast. (The 63-year-old coach tried to clear up the confusion before that game by saying he often goes year-to-year without a definitive retirement plan: "Everything's the same as it always was.")

Johnson joined ESPN Oct. 13 after seven years with TNT. He also worked the 2008 NBA Finals as a guest analyst for ABC. But the former NBA superstar also serves as Lakers part-owner and vice president.

Should ESPN have addressed that financial relationship in his sit-down with Jackson?

"It's a fair question," said ESPN's Mike Soltys. "The viewer clearly identifies Magic as a Laker like they identify many other TV sports analysts with a particular team. We understand that going in. I think the viewer understands it. The key for us is: are the tough questions asked? He certainly did with this and other interviews he's done with Lakers over the years."