The Orlando Magic are one of many NBA teams that celebrate an annual Pride Night. But the club’s recent donation in support of maybe the most anti-gay governor in the nation flies in the face of LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
A new filing with federal regulators shows the Magic gifted $50,000 to a super PAC that supports the presidential bid of Ron “Don’t Say Gay” DeSantis. The group, Never Back Down, regularly pushes homophobic tropes and talking points.
Despite those facts, the Magic say their donation was apolitical and had nothing to do with DeSantis himself.
“This gift was given before Governor DeSantis entered the presidential race,” a team spokesperson said in a statement. “It was given as a Florida business in support of a Florida governor for the continued prosperity of Central Florida.”
But that explanation doesn’t fly for a couple of reasons.
First, the donation was made to a political action committee, which makes it inherently political.
Second, it’s extremely rare for an NBA club to put its name on a political donation. And by “extremely rare” we mean it has only happened once before, when the Phoenix Suns donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Republican National Committee in the 1990s, according to the New York Times.
The Magic are believed to be the first NBA team to ever financially back a presidential candidate.
And third, it’s not like DeSantis only started spouting anti-LGBTQ+ views after he launched his presidential campaign.
As Florida governor, he’s outlawed discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity among all grade levels, banned gender-confirming care for minors and made it illegal for transgender people to use public restrooms that are in accordance with their gender identity.
Many on social media were quick to point that out.
What happened to keeping politics out of sports that the right cries so much?
— Michael LoRé (@michaellore) August 1, 2023
It’s not surprising that Orlando’s ownership supports DeSantis and his hard-right agenda. The DeVos Family, who are GOP mega-donors, own the team. (Betsy DeVos, the daughter-in-law of the club’s former chairman, was Donald Trump‘s education secretary.)
Sports owners backing conservative politicians is nothing new. But it is unprecedented for an actual team, especially given DeSantis’ war on social justice causes, which the NBA claims to support.
When the Magic held their Pride Night last March, they hosted the “Orlando Gay Chorus,” served Pride-themed concessions and honored LGBTQ+ activist Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet.
But with the team supporting DeSantis, those initiatives now seem hollow and performative.
The contradictions are endless. The NBA has publicly endorsed abortion rights, while DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban, one of the most restrictive measures in the country.
Seven years ago, the league pulled its All-Star Game out of North Carolina to protest the state’s “bathroom bill;” and yet, DeSantis recently signed one of his own.
And those examples don’t even touch on racial justice issues. The Magic have a majority Black roster, Black head coach, and Black general manager.
Meanwhile, DeSantis champions the idea that slavery had personal benefits. In recent weeks, the flailing governor has even attacked Black Republicans for pushing back on his state’s new curriculum.
On Thursday, the NBA Players’ Association objected to the Magic’s controversial contribution. The group called the team’s donation “alarming.”
But the Magic’s support of DeSantis isn’t only insulting to its fans and employees. It’s also counter-productive. Disney is one of the team’s sponsors, and league’s broadcast partners.
DeSantis, of course, is mired in a prolonged feud with the company over its opposition to the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” legislation.
Oh, and did we mention that donating $50,000 to help DeSantis’ presidential bid is completely futile? He’s getting trounced in the polls, and his campaign is in shambles.
Then again, it isn’t surprising the Magic are backing a loser. They’ve only posted one winning season over the last decade.
It looks like another “L” is getting added to their resume.
Fahd
The DeVos family, owners of the Magic, shouldn´t be able to donate money to DeSantis through the NBA franchise, and I´m glad the players association is calling them out on it. The ire should be directed at the DeVos clan, not the team.
I´m hearing that there is pressure from inside and outside for the DeVos family to sell their ownership interest in the Magic. That seems appropriate.
I hope the NBA commissioner will address this matter thoroughly and thoughtfully as he does most things, and then kick their as*es out of the league.
Btw, is it pronounced ¨Dee Vos¨ or Duh Vos? I´m also not sure on DeSantis.
abfab
Is that uneducated ex education secretary still with us? She was one of the ”I only hire the best people” people.
trell
“Btw, is it pronounced ¨Dee Vos¨ or Duh Vos? I´m also not sure on DeSantis.”
I think it’s pronounced with one syllable, a hard C, an ‘uh’ and an NT on the end.
Brian
The DeVos family wouldn’t be so rich in the first place if the government would actually prosecute Ponzi schemes. All of their wealth is literally criminal.
abfab
Yeah, but that’s what the lawyers are for.
dbmcvey
Yeah, there’s no possible way this could be bribery.
abfab
It’s all so dirty.
BEARY FLINTSTONE
It’s also partly owned by Betsy DeVos!
abfab
”When governors such as John Engler, Mike Huckabee, and Mike Pence were driving the conversation on voluntary high standards driven by local voices, it all made sense.”
Betsy DeVos
abfab
”I support accountability”
Betsy DeVos
abfab
”If politicians in a state block education choice, it means those politicians do not support equal opportunity for all kids.”
Betsy DeVos
abfab
And just one more bit of bullshit from Betsy to make your weekend complete.
”Dick and I became increasingly committed to helping other parents – parents from low-income families in particular. ”
Betsy DeVos
abfab
That a boy!
A slew of new bills signed into law by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has draped the Sunshine State in controversy, spurring protests, lawsuits and travel advisories warning the state is “openly hostile” toward people of color, immigrants, women and LGBTQ+ community members.
The fallout is starting to spread to a key economic artery for an income-tax-free state heavily reliant upon tourism taxes: Florida’s convention business.
In recent weeks, at least a dozen organizations have announced plans to either cancel or relocate their upcoming conferences scheduled to take place in Florida, making a statement by having their thousands of attendees and millions of dollars flow into other states deemed safer and more welcoming.
AP