The National Basketball Players Association issued a statement on Thursday stating that the donation of $50,000 made by the Orlando Magic to a super PAC backing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ presidential candidacy is “alarming given recent comments and policies of its beneficiary.”
According to a statement released by the NBA Players Association (NBPA) and NBA Online Betting PH, “NBA governors, players, and personnel all have the right to express their personal political views, including through donations and statements.” “However, if donations are made on behalf of a full team using money gained via the labor of its employees, it is incumbent upon the team governors to consider the various values and points of view held by the staff and players.
The donation made by the Magic does not signify the players’ support for the organization that will receive it.
Following comments made by DeSantis in support of Florida’s new African American history standard, which asserts that some people of African descent benefited from slavery, the governor has now issued the following statement.
The gift that the Magic donated to the super PAC was made public in recent federal records, and Magic chief communications officer Joel Glass stated in a statement that it was made on May 19 — a few days before DeSantis announced his presidential campaign.
“It was given as a Florida business in support of a Florida governor for the continued prosperity of Central Florida,” Glass said. “It was given for the continued prosperity of Central Florida.”
Larry Nance Jr., a forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, expressed his displeasure with the donation on various social media platforms.
“So the @OrlandoMagic, who have a majority black roster, a black head coach, and a black general manager, decided it was a good idea to support a man that claims that slavery had personal benefits for the enslaved? ” “So the @OrlandoMagic, who have a majority black roster, a black head coach, and a black general manager? ” The most recent post from Nance was on Wednesday.
Since 1991, members of the DeVos family have owned the Magic and have been influential members of the Republican party for many years. Betsy DeVos is a former candidate for the position of secretary of education under the administration of former President Donald Trump.
According to a statement issued by the NBA, “Team governors make their own decisions on the political contributions they make, and we respect the right of members of the NBA family to express their political views.”
