The Orlando Magic basketball crew made a $50,000 donation to By no means Again Down Inc., an excellent PAC that helps Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who’s operating for the Republican presidential nomination.
The receipt date is famous as June 26, 2023, on the Federal Election Fee’s web site. Nevertheless, a consultant claims the donation was made on Might 19, simply days earlier than DeSantis introduced his bid for president on Might 24.
“To make clear, this reward was given earlier than Gov. DeSantis entered the presidential race. It was given as a Florida enterprise in assist of a Florida governor for the continued prosperity of Central Florida,” Joel Glass, the chief communications officer for the NBA crew, advised HuffPost.
The By no means Again Down tremendous PAC’s sole focus is to assist DeSantis’ presidential run, in response to its web site. A consultant for By no means Again Down didn’t instantly reply to HuffPost’s request for remark.
The crew has made donations beforehand, in response to FEC data. In Might 2016, the FEC reported that the crew donated $500 to Conservative Outcomes. In August 2014, the crew reportedly donated $2,000 to a conservative political motion committee, Maverick PAC USA. And in 2000, the crew reportedly donated $500 to assist Democrat Linda Chapin’s failed run for Congress.
The Orlando Magic is owned by the DeVos household, in-laws of former Schooling Secretary Betsy DeVos, who served in Donald Trump’s Cupboard. The present chair of the franchise is Betsy DeVos’ brother-in-law, Dan DeVos, who has made the third-largest contribution to political causes out of all sports activities crew homeowners, USA At this time reported in 2020.
The Orlando Magic has ties to the Disney Co., which has been concerned in a authorized dispute with DeSantis stemming from the state’s anti-LGBTQ legal guidelines. The crew has additionally hosted public occasions to assist the LGBTQ neighborhood. Disney and DeSantis are in the midst of a authorized dispute since Disney spoke out in opposition to the governor’s “Don’t Say Homosexual” laws and drew what the corporate alleges is politically motivated retribution.
“The @OrlandoMagic wants to choose a aspect,” former state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D) tweeted Wednesday in response to information of the crew’s donation to DeSantis.
“You’ll be able to’t have Satisfaction Night time and declare to have fun and assist the LGBTQ neighborhood, after which donate $50,000 to a presidential candidate operating in opposition to the LGBTQ neighborhood and selling a platform to remove our rights.”
