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In June of this year, the NBA's Orlando Magic donated $50,000 to a SuperPac supporting the presidential campaign of Florida's right-wing, anti-trans governor Ron DeSantis, according to a new report published by the Guardian. The donation was made to the Never Back Down Pac, a "grassroots movement to elect governor Ron DeSantis for president in 2024," and is the latest in a history of political giving from the sports franchise that goes back more than 20 years.
In a statement to Popular Information, a spokesperson for the Magic said "This gift was given before governor DeSantis entered the presidential race. [It] was given as a Florida business in support of a Florida governor for the continued prosperity of Central Florida." While the Magic claims to support "diversity, equity, and inclusion all year round," the team is also owned under the multi-level marketing firm founded by Richard DeVos, the late father-in-law to Trump's secretary of education. Betsy DeVos. Make of that what you will.