The Orlando Magic future might have a number of questions around it heading into the 2017 NBA Draft and offseason but they have made one of the most obvious moves in recent memory. The organization has reportedly enlisted Disney to be their jersey sponsor.
The Magic join other NBA organizations like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics to bring on a big name company as sponsors in the first season of teams being allowed to make revenue off their jerseys. The Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings were the first teams to bring on jersey sponsors and now the Magic are getting themselves in the running.
Following comes from Darren Rovell of the Disney-owned ESPN.
BREAKING: @OrlandoMagic signs Disney to jersey patch deal for next season, team will sell jerseys with patch at arena. pic.twitter.com/2BJrLJWsiu
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 20, 2017
Here’s a statement from the Orlando Magic.
“With Orlando as our hometown, magic has always been a key strand of our DNA,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “This expanded agreement with Disney brings our story full circle and represents the coming together of two dynamic organizations that have become synonymous with Orlando.”
Since becoming a Champion of the Community sponsor with the Magic in 2010, Disney has been working with the Magic on outreach initiatives that benefit the local community and make Central Florida a better place to live, work and play. The uniform sponsorship strengthens the relationship between Disney and the Magic and will connect both fan bases, provide shared marketing opportunities and cement Central Florida’s reputation as a global sports destination.
“At Walt Disney World Resort, we naturally believe in all things magic and are happy to support our hometown team,” said George A. Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “This long-term relationship symbolizes our shared focus of solidifying Orlando as a world class city for sports.”
There are still about 20 NBA teams without a jersey sponsor heading into the 2017-18 season but that could quickly change this summer.
