ORLANDO -- When you are going for the 30th time in franchise history -- like the storied Los Angeles Lakers are -- getting to the NBA Finals seems almost like a birth right. When it's just the second time in a checkered, 20-year franchise history, and in a small-market, one-sport town like Orlando, it's an event of monumental proportion.Win or lose at the NBA Finals this month, the Magic are going to capitalize financially in a big way.
The Magic sold 400 new season tickets on Sunday, the day after eliminating Cleveland in the Eastern Conference final, and they have sold 2,700 season tickets since the playoff began, a huge boost for a team that has struggled with an operating deficit the last several years.
The Magic are planning a move into a new building for the start of the 2010-11 season, and the momentum of these playoffs has been a significant help in gaining corporate and political support throughout the area.
The franchise that almost was sold and left town just a few years ago has used its success on the court to cement its future in Florida.
"Clearly, our success on the floor is helping us in everything we're trying to do right now,'' said Alex Martins, Magic chief operating executive. "A new building will always produce a little uptick in support because of the novelty and newness, but a new building by itself (think Charlotte) doesn't do it. A winning product makes everything easier.''
The Magic have been reporting annual operating deficits of $10-$15 million in recent years and are one of the teams that has needed to borrow money through the NBA's secured line of credit.
The Magic are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1995 when they were swept by the Houston Rockets. Their season-ticket base for next season will be just over 11,000, the most it has been since the departure of Shaquille O'Neal in the summer of 1996.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
that is so sad that people that live here do not go the games. we have no other professional sports here, now I see why.
Mike Brown is out as Cavs coach. His biggest mistake was failing to coach his team and encourage his players to play within their capabilities. LeBron is not a Kobe which simply means he's in no position to take the place of a coach. This is especially true in a playoff situation where nerves can affect the best of the best.
Brown also failed to utilize the bench. There was an obvious disconnect amongst the players and LeBron was on an ego trip which turned out to be a death dropoff for the rest of the team.
Afterwards LeBron showed his immaturity by doing a Hudini and not speaking to the team or the press. He acted like a spoiled child. A tough loss is no excuse to revert to childish behavior. I would have had more respect for him had he faced the cameras after the game.
Dwight Howard and his team outplayed the Cavs. It would have been nice if James at least gave props to The Magic. They deserved it.
Brown should be fired and James should get up and go to New York. I don't think Brown or Ferry deserve to keep James in Cleveland. They have failed miserably to build a team around the young man who has great potential. He still needs to grow and mature quite a bit. While he's doing that he needs to be surrounded by talent. Without it I believe his time in Cleveland is limited.