ORLANDO’S MAGIC IN THE COMMUNITY AND ON THE COURT

DID YOU KNOW?August 8, 2008

GIVING…

  • The Orlando Magic and owner Rich DeVos has donated: $9 million to enable the University of Central Florida to launch and sustain the DeVos Sport Business Management Program; $10 million to the Orlando Performing Arts Center; $1.25 million to help the Burnham Institute set-up a world-class medical research facility in Orlando; $1 million to the Heart of Florida United Way; and more than $1 million to the Central Florida chapter of the American Red Cross to aid storm victims. In July 2007, the DeVos Family and the Orlando Magic committed $12.5 million to build five community gyms, while also committing to raise an additional $12.5 million for the project.

  • On an annual basis the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, scholarships and grants. With the building of the new downtown Events Center on the City of Orlando’s West side, the Orlando Magic – the developers of the new arena – are focused on revitalization efforts in the Parramore neighborhood. The Magic have pledged $250,000 to the Parramore Kidz Zone and After School All-Stars to provide positive programs for local youth vulnerable to drugs, gangs and violence. The team also recently refurbished Parramore’s New Image Youth Center. Once moldy and rat-infested, the new education center now features flat-screen televisions, freshly painted walls, desktop computers, new carpeting, a Nintendo Wii and central air conditioning. Other Magic efforts in the Parramore community include: renovating the Downtown Boys and Girls Club, providing school supplies to the Bridge To Independence School and sponsoring a trip for kids from the Parramore Kidz Zone to New York City. When Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu received the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award presented by Kia Motors, he donated a brand-new 2009 Kia Borrego seven-passenger SUV to Parramore Kidz Zone, and in another endeavor with adidas, Dwight Howard presented 300 pairs of shoes to the students at Orange Center Elementary for their hard work towards improving their FCATs. During July 25th groundbreaking festivities for the new Events Center, the Magic used West Church Street’s Paradise Island Café to cater the event.
  • Over the last 19 years, nearly $14 million has been distributed to local non-profit community organizations via The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation and the McCormick Foundation. The OMYF, a fund of the McCormick Foundation since 1994, focuses on helping every child in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at risk, by supporting programs and partnerships that empower families and change lives. In addition, on an annual basis the Orlando Magic awards two college scholarships – the Magic Achiever Scholarship towards any accredited four-year university in Florida and the University of Central Florida Minority Scholarship. Since 1996, the Magic has awarded a total of 31 college scholarships.

IMPACTING…

  • Orlando Magic community relations programs annually impact an estimated 75,000 kids, while the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation has positively impacted more than 1 million children over the last 19 years. In addition, the Magic Volunteer Program (MVP), an organizational staff-wide initiative, provides more than 5,000 community volunteer hours per year.

  • On an annual basis, Magic players log more than 200 community appearances to area schools, organizations and neighborhood centers. Magic players and staff have played a role in refurbishing local educational centers, building playgrounds in the community, leading read to achieve initiatives, and building homes via Habitat for Humanity.
  • This past season, Orlando players and coaches purchased tickets which allowed an average of 600 underprivileged kids to attend each Magic game for a total of 27,000 tickets.

REACHING…

  • Through television programming, the NBA is broadcast in 215 countries in 41 languages reaching more than one billion households. On the home front, the Orlando Magic works with numerous tourist groups to help promote basketball for visitors to Orlando.

  • Since its inception, the Orlando Magic has played on national television 140-plus times, generating hundreds of millions of impressions. Local, state, national and international media cover the Magic on a regular basis. Orlandomagic.com, the team’s official web site, generates 2.5 million impressions each month.
  • Season ticket highlights for 2008-09 include: 7,569 seats priced $25 or under per game; A $27 lower bowl ticket; and for the 11th straight year tickets priced at $10 per game. There are several ticket packages and group opportunities available by calling 407-89-MAGIC or logging on to orlandomagic.com.

COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY, OFF THE COURT, AND ON…

  • Orlando has advanced to postseason play 10 times over the last 15 years. The Magic has also finished with a .500 or better record in 12 of the last 16 seasons. Orlando advanced to the NBA Finals in just its sixth season of existence. Orlando became the second-fastest team to advance to the NBA Finals in league history (Milwaukee advanced to the NBA Finals in 1970-71, its third year).

  • Since the DeVos family purchased the Orlando Magic in September of 1991, the franchise has won three division championships (Atlantic, 1994-1995, 1995-96; Southeast, 2007-08), one Eastern Conference title (1994-95) and had four 50-win seasons. Over the course of its history, Orlando has sold out 60 percent of its games, while winning 65 percent of its home games since 1994-95. Included in its history is a 40-game home winning streak (Mar. 21, 1995 – Mar. 26, 1996) and a 247-game sellout streak (Nov. 15, 1990 – Nov. 21, 1996).
  • Over the last nine seasons, Orlando has won 15 significant NBA awards (three All-NBA First Team honors, four NBA All-Rookie First Team honors, three Most Improved Player awards, the Rookie of the Year, the Sixth Man of the Year, the Executive of the Year, the Coach of the Year and the NBA Sportsmanship Award).

About The Orlando Magic
Orlando’s NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic’s mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. On the court, Orlando has won three division championships (1995, 1996, 2008), had four 50-plus win seasons, and won the Eastern Conference title in 1995. Off the court, on an annual basis the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, scholarships and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 75,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 5,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, over the last 19 years nearly $14 million has been distributed to local non-profit community organizations via The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF), a fund of the McCormick Foundation since 1994, which serves at risk and disadvantaged youth. Ticket highlights for 2008-09 include: 7,569 seats priced $25 or under per game; a $27 lower bowl ticket; and tickets priced at $10 per game. For ticket information log on to orlandomagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.

Through the National Basketball Association’s NBA CARES program, the league, players and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than 1 million hours of hands-on volunteer service to communities worldwide, and build more than 100 places where kids can learn and play over the next five years.

The Orlando Magic is also the developer of the new downtown Events Center which will compete to host major national events, concerts and family shows. Opening in the fall of 2010, the facility will be operated by the City of Orlando and owned by the Central Florida Community.