Look out Big East, these Temple Owls are winners.

NEW YORK — As the crowd counted down, Magic Johnson pulled a large, silver lever jutting from a box labeled “ASPiRE.” With that, his new cable network went live.

Then stagehands whisked the contraption off the dais at Aspire’s gala premiere party Wednesday night. The switch was just a prop, of course, connected to nothing.

But Magic Johnson’s ties to the African-American community (not to mention sports history and contemporary culture) are direct and strong.

Now, the basketball great and business tycoon is leveraging his clout and good name to launch Aspire.

“We have a big platform for African-American work,” Johnson told the gathered. “Family driven content, positive images of African Americans — that’s what we want that platform for!”

Big aspirations, indeed, as Aspire makes its debut. Initially it’s available in about 7 million homes and in 16 of the top 25 African-American markets (including New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington). It can be seen by some customers served by Time Warner Cable Inc. and by Comcast Corp., the nation’s largest cable operator, which is introducing the minority-oriented Aspire as part of an agreement struck with the Federal Communications Commission when Comcast purchased NBC Universal.

Aspire’s reach will grow to 12 million homes by year’s end, to 20 million to 30 million homes by the end of 2013, and to 40 million homes within two years, according to Johnson.

“Focus groups told us African Americans want more family content on TV,” he said a few hours before the party. “If they would have told me, ‘We don’t need another channel, there’s not an opportunity for you,’ we wouldn’t be sitting here.”

Seated in a raised director’s chair whose exaggerated height seems made-to-order for the towering former L.A. Lakers point guard, Johnson is speaking with a reporter in an NBC green room during a busy day of meetings and media appearances.

“I wouldn’t get into this if I didn’t feel there was an opportunity,” he goes on. “That’s what I do. I look for opportunities.”

Johnson doesn’t dismiss the growing roster of other networks targeting Black viewers.

“BET dominates the young people and does a great job,” he says. “TV One skews a little older. We’re gonna skew older than both of them. Blacks want options; they want variety, like everybody else. There’ll be enough viewers for all of us. So everybody wins.”

He says Aspire is aiming for Black families with a slate of enlightening and positive programming — the sort of fare that everyone can gather in the living room to watch, “the way I grew up,” Johnson fondly recalls.

Aspire will air movies, documentaries, music and comedy, as well as faith and inspirational programs.

Initially, the schedule consists of acquisitions, including long-ago series like “The Bill Cosby Show,” “I Spy,” “Julia” and “The Flip Wilson Show.” The network promises documentaries chronicling real-life events, people and places that shaped Black history. Movies include “Shaft,” “Bird,” “Sarafina!” and “Lilies of the Field.”

Eventually, Aspire plans to create its own programming. For that, Johnson hopes to tap Black artists ranging from young up-and-comers to the likes of Spike Lee and Tyler Perry.

But what about a certain world-class star already on the payroll? Will Earvin “Magic” Johnson step in front of the Aspire cameras?

“I may do a show interviewing celebrities,” he says. “Or a business show. We haven’t planned it yet, but African Americans want to know how to build wealth. They want to know how to start a business or grow one. Home ownership. Having good credit. I think I’m going to have to go on and teach them that sort of thing.”

The principal owner of Aspire is Magic Johnson Enterprises, with the 52-year-old Johnson as the network’s chairman and CEO.

But Aspire is teamed with Atlanta-based GMC (formerly the Gospel Music Network), which, available in about 50 million homes, focuses on uplifting music and family entertainment. GMC is providing operational infrastructure (what Johnson dubs “the back of the house”) for Aspire, also based in Atlanta.

Johnson declines to say exactly what he’s investing in Aspire as its principal owner, but acknowledges “it takes $100 (million) or $150 million just to turn the lights on and really get it going — and we’re gonna be in that neighborhood.”

Already, Johnson has landed five blue chip “charter brand partners”: Coca-Cola Co., Chrysler, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., L’Oreal and Nationwide Insurance. He says his network is on track to be “almost break-even in a year.”

Johnson sees Aspire as the logical next step in his burgeoning media empire, whose holdings include 20 radio stations, Vibe magazine and the “Soul Train” brand.

But an almost dizzying array of other investments includes real estate, restaurants, a prepaid debit card he soon will introduce and, of course, the Los Angeles Dodgers, purchased in May for $2 billion by a group he fronted.

“I am SO proud of the Dodgers,” he grins when that subject comes up. “I’m like a little kid! To know I own the Dodgers is even blowing ME away!”

In short, Johnson’s career as an NBA legend and Hall of Famer is rivaled by his entrepreneurial efforts, which, along with his philanthropic and motivational work, largely cater to the Black community.

“I’ve been doing business almost as long as I’ve been playing basketball,” he says. “I bought a radio station when I was 19 years old, when I first got drafted by the Lakers.”

For now, despite his many business interests, he’s giving Aspire top priority.

“When you’re starting a business, you have to be more involved day-to-day,” he says. “I’m a control freak. Even though I allow people to do their jobs, I want to know everything, and I HAVE to know everything: It’s my brand, my name; everything is out there on the line.”

Looking to Aspire’s future, he points out how he always had two big dreams: to play in the NBA and be a businessman.

“I don’t know why God blessed me with this life, but I’m glad he did, and I love it,” Johnson sums up. “And I’m full steam ahead!” — (AP)

He made his mark writing for comics like Richard Pryor. He also wrote for “Good Times” and “Sanford and Son” in the ’70s. In the early 1980s, he developed signature characters for “In Living Color” including Homey the Clown.

His words are known by many. Still comedian, writer, social critic, television and film actor Paul Mooney has not become a household name himself.

But that makes no difference to Mooney, set to take the stage at the Helium Comedy Club on Sansom Street, May 2-5.

“I love what I do and I always knew I would end up doing it. And that’s all I really care about,” he said.

Born in Shreveport, La., and moving to Oakland, Calif., several years later, Mooney first became a ringmaster with the Gatti-Charles Circus. During his stint as ringmaster, he always found himself writing comedy and telling jokes, which later helped him land his first professional work as a writer for Pryor.

Mooney wrote some of Pryor’s routines for his appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” co-wrote his material for the “Live on the Sunset Strip, Bicentennial Nigger,” “Is It Something I Said” albums, as well as the film “Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling.”

Mooney says writing for Pryor — as well as many other young comics including Robin Williams, Sandra Bernhard, Eddie Murphy, Marsha Warfield and others — was easy once he got to know them.

“Once I got to know them, really know them, once I could really get into their heart and soul, it was easy to write for them because at that point I knew the essence of the person. And once that happens, I can write for people. Otherwise, I can’t,” he explains.

Among his other writing accomplishments, Mooney wrote for Redd Foxx’s “Sanford and Son,” acted in several cult classics including Which Way Is Up?,” “Bustin’ Loose,” “Hollywood Shuffle” and more.

He has appeared in sketches including Negrodamus, an African-American version of Nostradamus. As Negrodamus, Mooney once ad-libbed the “answers to life’s most unsolvable mysteries such as ‘Why do white people love Wayne Brady?’ (Answer: ‘Because Wayne Brady makes Bryant Gumbel look like Malcolm X.’). Mooney had planned to reprise his role as Negrodamus in the third season of the “Chappelle’s Show” before it was cancelled.

Much of Mooney’s material is based on the subject of racism in the United States. which disturbs some audience members. But controversy has always accompanied Mooney and his comic material, and he doesn’t shy away from that fact.

“I do a lot of racial stuff because we live in America and my comedy is a reflection of my environment,” he said. “I think we’re blessed to live in a country with freedom of speech so I can speak my mind. We’re blessed to live in a place where I can make fun of things I see and not be taken out and shot.”

Long considered a living legend, Mooney explains that he can’t think of any of today’s young comics he would pay to see. He says, “I’ve worked with all the great minds from Richard Pryor to Flip Wilson to Redd Foxx to Moms Mabley. The only people left are Bill Cosby and Dick Gregory. After they go, it’s all over with. I’m truly the last of my kind.”

And his followers hope he’ll be around for a long, long time to come. As does the man of comedy himself. “I’ll never retire,” he said. “I’ll be performing as long as I can. I feel most alive when I’m on stage.”

For times and ticket information call (215) 496-9001.

Bill Cosby had to listen to the roar.

The actor and comedian tried to explain what the Penn Relays meant to him after decades of visits when his point was made by the sound of nearly 20,000 fans cheering on the runners at Franklin Field as another race came down to the wire.

“Listen. Listen to the crowd,” Cosby said on Friday. “What you heard are the voices. If you add another 50 years, those people will remember the time they were here.”

The four Princeton men who became the first Ivy League team to win a distance medley relay since 1961 will sure remember the 2012 Penn Relays. The Oregon women who won for the first time at the sport’s oldest relay event will have that experience forever etched in their memories.

In the women’s 400 relay, Texas A&M won in 43.87 seconds. Tennessee won the women’s sprint medley relay in 3 minutes, 43.79 seconds and Penn State took the men’s sprint medley relay title in 3:18.47.

All the winners came away with a moment to savor on the second day of the 118th running of the famed track and field meet.

“I was at every one,” the 74-year-old Cosby quipped.

He saw a bit of history on his latest visit.

Oregon won the 6,000-meter relay in 17:29 for its first Penn Relays women’s championship. Lanie Thompson, Alex Kosinski, Anne Kesselring and Rebecca Friday dominated early and easily held off runner-up Georgetown.

Oregon held about an 80-meter and 15-second lead by the time Friday took the handoff for the anchor leg.

“I saw that we had a pretty big lead, but I didn’t want to take any chances,” Friday said. “I started off strong, and the goal for me today was to finish the last 200 (meters) strong. I still did that, even though we had a pretty good setup from the girls.”

Ducks coach Vin Lananna called the victory a worthy reward for the long trip east.

Kosinski was so excited she asked if she could take the press conference placard with her name on it.

Just another keepsake to go with the watch awarded to every winner.

Even Cosby owns a pair of Penn Relays watches — accessories treated like gold medals by any competitor who’s stepped foot on Franklin Field.

Cosby was on hand to fire the starter’s gun for the elementary school shuttle relay events. Bundled up in a grey Penn sweatshirt and sweatpants on a chilly, windy day, Cosby smiled and warmly shook hands with every small child — even as they were likely unaware the man wishing them luck was one of the all-time great comedians.

“I ran here in the middle of this field and I remember how excited I was and how important I felt,” Cosby said. “I still remember it and I’m 75 years old. I identify with these kids. It is an honor and a privilege to me.”

Cosby, followed around by a documentary film crew, was set to return Saturday to start the high school relay races.

Known for his stand-up act, social activism and the hit TV series “The Cosby Show,” Cosby is a Philadelphia native who played football at Temple.

His deep city roots are one reason why he returns almost every year.

“It’s clean. There’s no violence,” he said. “Well, there is violence, the starter’s gun. And the boys and girls elbow each other and knock each other off. I’ve seen some pretty rough moments. But there’s no violence.”

Always stressing education, Cosby would have been pleased to see Princeton win the men’s DMR in 9:42.5. Indiana was second and Binghamton third.

“This is truly one for the history books,” Princeton coach Steve Dolan said.

Joe Stilin, Tom Hopkins, Michael Williams and anchor Donn Cabral led the Tigers to their second Penn Relays championship in two years after taking the mile relay last year. No Ivy League school had won the DMR since Yale in 1961.

“I figured if I could stay comfortable and keep a last gear or two for the last 200 meters, then I’d have as good a chance as anyone,” Cabral said. “This is awesome. I didn’t get to do it in high school, so I’m getting my money’s worth in college. “

While the high school and college events are the heart of what the Penn Relays are all about, Saturday’s “USA vs. the World” relays gets the event on NBC and should fill Franklin Field.

Some of the biggest names in U.S. sprinting, including Justin Gatlin, Walter Dix, LaShawn Merritt, Angelo Taylor, Carmelita Jeter and Allyson Felix, will compete in the six-race showcase, the biggest one before the London Games.

Gatlin compared the relays to the NBA’s All-Star weekend.

The stars can’t wait to stretch their legs in front of an appreciative crowd.

“It gives the fans what they want to see and gives them a taste of the Olympic games,” Dix said. — (AP)

The book “Chaney: Playing for a Legend” (Triumph Books) written by Philadelphia Tribune sportswriter Donald Hunt with former Temple stars Aaron McKie and Eddie Jones, is now available as an ebook. The book is an inside look at the Owls basketball program and playing for Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach John Chaney. Sports fans can order the book for $9.99 on Amazon.com.

McKie and Jones share their reflections from playing for Chaney at Temple and how those experiences helped shape their lives. Both players came from tough backgrounds and could have given up on life, but they learned some valuable life lessons from Chaney along with great discipline and a strong work ethic. After leaving Temple, McKie and Jones had successful playing careers in the NBA.

McKie, former Simon Gratz star, is now an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers. Jones is retired from the NBA and resides in Weston, Fla., on the outskirts of Miami with his wife and family and has his own foundation. McKie and Jones have proven themselves to be more than just great basketball players, but also respectable men who try to teach others what they learned from Chaney.

Chaney began coaching at Temple in 1982 following a brilliant 10-year coaching stint at Cheyney State where he won a NCAA Division II championship in 1978. He brought the Owls back to national prominence. In his 24 seasons at Temple, he compiled 23 postseason appearances including 17 NCAA tournament bids and five Elite Eight appearances. He had a 516-253 record in his coaching career at Temple. He has an overall 741-312 career record. In 2001, Chaney was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

“Chaney: Playing for a Legend” shows that Chaney taught more than just basketball. He helped pave the way for everyone he came into contact with to have a bright future beyond the game. His life lessons have touched so many and continue to live on at Temple and beyond. John Chaney and Bill Cosby provided forewords for the book.

Comedian Bill Cosby performed recently to benefit the Expansion Fund for 11th Street Family Health Services of Drexel University (11th Street), a health center located in the heart of the Richard Allen Homes in North Philadelphia. Cosby spent several years during his youth living in that area, then known as the Richard Allen Housing Project.

Cosby visited 11th Street in April 2012 to tour the facility and talk with patients and staff. He learned first-hand why 11th Street, which is entirely nurse-managed, has been nationally recognized as an innovative university-community partnership model of care.

“I met people at 11th Street learning to cook healthy food that also tastes great, exercising in the gym and going to the dentist, right in the same building where they get their healthcare,” he said. “This isn’t just some doctor’s office where they hand out medicine when you’re sick and send you on your way. It’s about helping people help themselves to live their whole lives healthier.”

The center offers primary care by nurse practitioners and comprehensive services by health professionals in dental, behavioral health, social work, creative arts and physical therapies, complementary and integrative health, fitness, health and nutrition education and more — in a single location within the community.

If the center had additional space, it could offer more education and outreach programs and respond to the health needs of more people including more programming for wellness and education for younger community members.

The 11th Street Family Health Services of Drexel University was established in 1996 and opened its present facility at 850 North 11th St. in 2002. Since then, the number of patient visits to the center has increased significantly.

“We thought this was going to be everything we’d ever need and never anticipated the success and the growth that was going to take place. Now, ten years later, we are caring for over 7,000 people,” said Dr. Patricia Gerrity, the center’s director and a professor and Associate Dean for Community Programs at Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. “We want to continue to meet the needs the community but are out of space.”

Drexel recently purchased land adjacent to the center’s current building and is working with the Philadelphia Housing Authority and other local agencies to expand the facility.