💰🏀Orlando Magic Throws a $50K “Alley-Oop” to DeSantis’ Super PAC, Sparks a Heated Debate🔥
TL;DR: The Orlando Magic NBA team made a significant $50,000 donation to Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign. This move, which isn’t your typical “jump shot” from a sports franchise, has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and LGBTQ+ activists in Florida. Now, we’re all left scratching our heads🤔. Is this just “home-court” support for a local governor, or does it signal a more significant endorsement from the DeVos family, the owners of the team? And what about the “defensive fouls” on LGBTQ+ rights under DeSantis’ leadership? Let’s break down this play!
In the NBA, we’re accustomed to seeing audacious alley-oops, long-range threes, and buzzer-beaters, but the Orlando Magic seem to be “dribbling” into a new court – politics! Recently, the team made a hefty donation to a super PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign. The unusual $50,000 “assist” has caused quite a “full-court press” of criticism, particularly from Democrats and LGBTQ+ activists.🏀💸
It’s a bit like watching a center try to play point guard – unusual and a bit controversial. As Michael Malbin, a campaign finance expert, said, it’s not uncommon for team owners to donate, but a corporate-level donation is a whole new ball game.
Now let’s not “travel” too far here. The DeVos family, the “coaches” behind the Orlando Magic, is well-known for their ties to Republican politics. The family amassed their fortune through Amway, the multi-level marketing company, and are no strangers to the political “hardwood.” Yet, they claim this donation doesn’t mean they’re “offensive players” in DeSantis’ presidential campaign.
The timing of the donation raises an interesting question: Was this just support for a local governor, or are the DeVos family trying to “slam dunk” a more significant endorsement for DeSantis?🤷♂️
This move has the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters crying “foul!” Under DeSantis, Florida has seen a tightening grip on gender-affirming treatments for minors, drag shows, bathroom usage, and even school pronoun usage. Critics argue the Magic’s donation sends mixed signals, particularly when the team hosts a Pride Night and sells Pride-themed merchandise. It’s like wearing the opponent’s jersey during a home game – confusing, to say the least! 🌈🏳️🌈
Florida’s State Rep. Anna Eskamani, an Orlando native, calls this “a flagrant foul.” She argues that DeSantis’ record contradicts the welcoming and inclusive image that the Orlando Magic projects.
Meanwhile, the DeSantis camp seems to be “running the clock” and hasn’t commented on the situation. While corporations can legally donate to federal super PACs, it’s interesting to note that such donations usually go to national party committees or convention host committees. The Magic’s direct donation to DeSantis’ super PAC is akin to going straight for a dunk without any passes – it’s flashy, but not exactly the usual play.🏀
As we “sub out” of this article, we’re left with some important questions: Are the Orlando Magic and the DeVos family pushing the boundaries of political donations in sports? And if so, what does this mean for the intersection of sports, politics, and civil rights in the future? Can a team that stands for Pride, also stand with a governor who has limited LGBTQ+ rights? Is it a “personal foul” to its fans and the community? Or is this just a new strategic “play” we’re seeing in the broader game of politics?
Your move, Magic! 🏀🔮
