Orlando Magic, commonly referred to as Magic, is one of the most recognized and successful basketball teams in the NBA. Founded in 1989 as part of the league's expansion, the club is based in Orlando, Florida, USA, and plays its home matches at the famous Amway Center, which has a seating capacity of over 18,000.
Orlando Magic has a rich history, boasting 6 division titles and 2 conference titles, though a coveted NBA Championship still eludes the team. The club enjoyed its most successful era under coaches Stan Van Gundy and Brian Hill, who led the Magic to NBA Finals in 1995 and 2009.
Known for its defensive style of play, the club has nurtured some of basketball’s greatest talents, including Shaquille O'Neal, Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway, Dwight Howard, and Tracy McGrady. Despite recent challenges and inconsistent performances, Orlando Magic remains one of the NBA’s most valuable franchises, with a global fan base and a rich tradition that continues to influence American and world basketball.
Orlando Magic is one of the most popular basketball teams in the United States, with one of the highest average home attendances in the NBA. The team states that its nationwide fan base includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the Orlando Magic Supporters Club (OMSC), in at least 24 states. The team takes advantage of this support through its nationwide summer tours. Accountancy firm and sports industry consultants Deloitte estimate that Orlando Magic has 75 million fans nationwide. The team has the third highest social media following in the United States among sports teams (after Lakers and Golden State Warriors), with over 82 million Facebook followers as of July 2023. A 2014 study showed that Orlando Magic had the loudest fans in the NBA.
Orlando Magic was formed in 1989 as an expansion franchise by Jim L. Hewitt and William duPont III. The team initially played games against other NBA teams, but on 20 November 1989, they competed in their first regular season game; wearing the team's colors—blue, silver, and black—they were defeated by the New Jersey Nets.
In the 1992 NBA Draft, the Magic selected Shaquille O'Neal, who quickly became one of the best centers in the league. The Magic's fortunes further improved in the following season when they won the NBA Lottery in 1993 and selected Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway. With the duo, the Magic reached their first NBA Finals in 1995 but were swept by the Houston Rockets.
On 10 August 2012, Dwight Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, ending his eight-year stint with the Magic. The trade marked the beginning of a rebuilding process for the Magic. Despite drafting promising young talents like Victor Oladipo and Aaron Gordon, the Magic struggled to return to the playoffs. Eventually, Oladipo was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Gordon left the Magic in 2021. As of now, the Magic continue their rebuilding process, aiming to return to the NBA playoffs and compete for the championship.
Originally funded by a group of investors that included Orlando businessman Jim Hewitt and former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Pat Williams, Orlando Magic became a part of the NBA in 1987 as an expansion franchise. The team was bought for a reported $32.5 million. Later in 1991, the team's majority control was passed to Rich DeVos who acquired the team for $85 million.
Under the DeVos family's ownership, the team saw several ups and downs, including reaching the NBA Finals in 1995 and 2009. However, due to lack of consistent success and high player turnover, the DeVos family faced criticism over the years. Despite this, they have remained committed to the team and the city of Orlando, evidenced by the construction of the Amway Center, a state-of-the-art arena, in 2010.
The DeVos family's commitment to the team and the city has also extended beyond basketball. They have been involved in numerous charitable endeavors, including the establishment of the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, which has raised over $22 million for local non-profits. Furthermore, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the DeVos family and the Magic organization pledged $2 million to assist hourly workers affected by the suspension of the NBA season.
In recent years, the DeVos family has continued to manage the Orlando Magic, with members of the family holding key positions within the organization. Dan DeVos currently serves as Chairman, Jen Van Loo is the Vice Chairwoman, and Alex Martins is the CEO. Despite rumors of a possible sale of the team, the DeVos family has maintained that they have no plans to sell and remain committed to bringing a championship to Orlando.
Orlando Magic is one of the most prominent clubs in the NBA, although its trophy cabinet is not as filled as some other teams. The club's first significant achievement was reaching the NBA playoffs in 1994, just five years after its formation. Since then, they've had multiple successful seasons, with two NBA final appearances, in 1995 and 2009. They've also won six division titles, showing their ability to consistently perform at a high level in their division.
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Player Awards and Recognition
Other Recognitions
Orlando Magic - Wikipedia: Detailed information about the history, notable players, achievements and current status of the Orlando Magic basketball team. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic
NBA.com - Orlando Magic: Official website of the Orlando Magic providing latest news, roster details, season updates and more. https://www.nba.com/magic
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