Is it time for the Orlando Magic to resume their arena battle

I'm doing something I thought I would never do again -- watching Orlando Magic games. That and this report from The Orlando Sentinel's Mike Thomas

 

Not only are they actually entertaining, but with a digital recorder you can speed view a game in less time than it takes to watch Desperate Housewives.

 

It seems Rich DeVos made good on his promise in early 2002 to revive what was a terminally boring team. But as part of the deal, we all knew he would renew his quest for a new arena. That day is soon coming. And so the $250 million question is whether he will succeed this time.

 

Before going there, let's examine why he failed in his last bid to get an arena. Yes, the team stank back in 2001. But there was more. For a guy alleged to be such a brilliant salesman, DeVos totally blew his opening presentation. He made Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood and County Chairman Rich Crotty an offer they had to refuse. He offered to chip in only $10.5 million of his own money toward a $250 million arena.

 

He was attacked as a greedy billionaire mooching off the public.

 

Tourism officials happily piled on. They wanted to torpedo the arena because DeVos planned to use $121.5 million from the resort tax to build it. Hotel owners feel that tax is their money and want it for the convention center and tourism promotions.

 

In truth, calling the resort tax public money is a stretch. It primarily is a slush fund for hoteliers.

 

Magic officials tried to get that message across but it was too late. They were drowned out by the catcalls. The terrorism attack of 9-11 put a dying deal out of its misery.

 

This brings us to the present.

 

"We are trying to learn things from that experience," says Magic General Manager John Weisbrod.

 

Weisbrod is a bright guy. And as most bright guys in his position are inclined to do, he talks in parables about controversial matters.

 

But this is my translation of our conversation: Magic officials know they screwed up in 2001. They need to come up with more cash this time to sell the deal to politicians and the public. They have to grab the initiative in any debate about the resort tax and frame it thusly: There is X amount of money in the kitty. Would you rather it go to International Drive or to an arena that would benefit locals by keeping the NBA in Orlando?

 

Weisbrod won't give a number for how much money the Magic may kick into the deal. But he points out that the average split for professional sports venues in Florida is 78 percent public money and 22 percent private money.

 

Any deal would require that the resort tax on hotel rooms be increased from 5 cents to 6 cents on the dollar. That extra penny would raise enough money to sell $200 million worth of bonds.

 

That could cover the county's share of the arena cost with enough left over to renovate the Citrus Bowl.

 

Could it happen this time?

 

Here is my deal.

 

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who wants either a new or refurbished arena and Citrus Bowl renovation, must end his feud with Rich Crotty. He does this by backing off his attempt to annex valuable county land into the city.

 

Crotty reciprocates by pushing a resort-tax increase through the County Commission. Rich DeVos closes the deal with a sufficiently fat check.

 

He would more than get his money back in the increased value a new arena would add to his team. That and this report from The Orlando Sentinel's Mike Thomas

http://www.sportsbusinessnews.com/index.asp?story_id=41360

who cares... who cares... who cares... yeah i know it affects the marlins plans... we were lobbying for state support first so they can go to hell how many championships has orlando won?

the magic have been in heavy talks with the city of orlando these past 3 weeks.

i really feel that they will be getting a new arena.

I love their arena. A great place to watch a game.

Go Magic! Go Marlins! They both need an arena and a stadium.

The Magic need a new arena desperately. They have the oldest one in the NBA if I remember correctly and it's absolutely abysmal. The seats are small, the aisles are narrow, and there are no amenities.

The Magic need a new arena desperately. They have the oldest one in the NBA if I remember correctly and it's absolutely abysmal. The seats are small, the aisles are narrow, and there are no amenities.

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There are little to no luxury boxes too right? That would be huge for the Magic.

 

 

Both teams desperatley need a new arena but I would put the Marlins higher on the list if we were ranking them. The Magic dont have revenue generating issues like the Marlins.

Magic and Marlins are last 2 to get facilities. Next in queue would be the Devil Rays depending on what happens after the transition from Namioli to the new investor around 2006. Will the Trop stay or go by 2012?

Magic and Marlins are last 2 to get facilities. Next in queue would be the Devil Rays depending on what happens after the transition from Namioli to the new investor around 2006. Will the Trop stay or go by 2012?

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I say go... Stu wants a stadium in downtown Tampa... and by 2012 the major re-construction of I-275 and I-4 should be over...

Magic and Marlins are last 2 to get facilities. Next in queue would be the Devil Rays depending on what happens after the transition from Namioli to the new investor around 2006. Will the Trop stay or go by 2012?

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I say go... Stu wants a stadium in downtown Tampa... and by 2012 the major re-construction of I-275 and I-4 should be over...

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All depends on one thing: This Marlins ballpark being done right.

 

Prove to Hillsborough it can be done and they shall do. Pinellas' lease has a buyout clause coming up soon.