New Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson has taken the responsibility of the team's anti-tampering violation fine squarely into his 6-foot-9 frame and his broad shoulders, urging team ownership to make him the one to blame for this breach of policy.

Johnson had asked for the $500,000 fine; the largest anti-tampering fine in league history, to come directly out of his pay — noting that controlling-owner Jeanie Buss shouldn't have to spend a dime for something she wasn't aware had taken place.

“We can’t say a lot but we will correct the situation,” Johnson told Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times on Monday. “It’s under my watch. I apologize to Jeanie, and that was the main thing. I told her she could take it out of my salary because I don’t want the Lakers to be paying that fine… I don’t want her spending $500,000, because she didn’t do anything. That’s on me.”

Johnson brought former agent Rob Pelinka on board, the man who was ultimately charged with making contact with Paul George's agent Aaron Mintz prior to his trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The league had already warned the Lakers of what could be a potential violation after Johnson was a guest in Jimmy Kimmel's show, joking that he'd wink to George to come and join the team.

“This is just on a late-night show being funny,” Johnson said. “But now I know I can’t do that. We’re OK. I haven’t thought twice about it. We made a mistake… It’s under my watch. I’m gonna make sure it doesn’t happen anymore.”

While this fine sets a small precedent onto what could happen to other teams salivating for the 2018 free agent class and beyond, Johnson is ultimately taking control of the situation and being forthcoming with the team's ownership and starting out with a clean slate.