The NBA’s Orlando Magic team is under fire after it was revealed they donated to Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign.
The press has heavily publicized the story, even though it was not unethical or illegal. The press has heavily promoted the news, even though the donation was not illegal or unethical.
Jedd Legum spent Wednesday evening tweeting on the topic.
1. The @OrlandoMagic publicly supports the LGBTQ community. In March 2023 the team hosted “Pride Night” to “celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and unity with the LGBTQ+ community”
And yet, on on June 26, 2023, the Orlando Magic donated $50,000 to the Ron DeSantis’ Super PAC pic.twitter.com/EguzYQKQQ2
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) August 2, 2023
All media outlets are taking action. The New York Times wrote an article in which it argued that the NBA’s goals of social justice were directly at odds with the donation.
This message is clear. No dissenting opinions will be heard.
The Orlando Magic wrote a $50,000 check to a super PAC supporting Ron DeSantis. It’s a reminder that for all of the NBA’s professions of support for progressive causes, some billionaire team owners have deployed their own power to fight those very causes. https://t.co/SZRhuaplzz
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 3, 2023
The donation was also a reminder that for all of the N.B.A.’s professions of support for progressive causes that its players believe in, several billionaire team owners — whose interests Silver represents — have deployed their own power to fight those very causes. League spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement, “Team governors make their own decisions on the political contributions they make and we respect the right of members of the N.B.A. family to express their political views.”
The N.B.A. has publicly stated its support for these issues, or done so through the Social Justice Coalition. The Social Justice Coalition has made public statements about its support of these issues.
Does the NBA produce a better product than other leagues? Or is it just a “social justice coalition” that tries to impose far-left views on sports fans? You can’t have it both ways and be welcoming to all.
Sports are supposed to be a way of escape. The majority of people who watch sports don’t want politics to dominate their experience. They are meant to be an escape. They should bring people from all backgrounds together. It doesn’t matter if the person sitting next to you is a racist or a pro-abortion, as long as they high-five.
Donald Trump’s top advisor is another example. He also participated in the effort to cancel the donation, posting a message that asked Magic players to react negatively.
I wonder what Magic players will have to say about their team giving $50K to Ron DeSanctimonious’ PAC given his new Florida history curriculum. 👀 https://t.co/aU8GlPhHnO
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) August 1, 2023
Miller’s post was dishonest and stupid because there is no issue with Florida’s educational curriculum. Miller has a long history of being a shill for Donald Trump. But I digress.
Magic Players are yet to speak up and we hope this will continue. NBA Team Owners can donate to whomever they choose.
DeSantis is largely acting on the basis of common sense. Perhaps the cancellation efforts could be redirected in the opposite direction.
