The National Basketball Players Association condemned the Orlando Magic for donating to a PAC supporting Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign.
The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) threw a temper tantrum on Thursday following revelations that the Orlando Magic donated money to a super PAC supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign.
“A political contribution from the Orlando Magic is alarming given recent comments and policies of its beneficiary,” the NBPA statement reads.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Orlando franchise gave $50,000 to Never Back Down, a political action committee backing DeSantis’ campaign in the 2024 GOP presidential primary. According to a Magic representative, the donation was given before DeSantis launched his presidential bid and was “given as a Florida business in support of a Florida governor for the continued prosperity of Central Florida.”
While family members of Magic owner Dan DeVos are reportedly “longtime Republican donors [who] have given millions to the party and GOP candidates,” the franchise has promoted its share of left-wing causes in recent years, according to the Orlando Sentinel. In March, for instance, the Magic hosted a “pride night” purportedly featuring “a halftime performance by Orlando Gay Chorus” and a ceremony honoring the chair of one of the locality’s LGBT organizations.
Apparently, that wasn’t enough for the NBPA, which attempted to distance itself from the Magic by claiming the franchise’s donation to Never Back Down “does not represent player support for the recipient.
