Johnathan Walker:Orlando Magic make $50K donation to PAC supporting Ron DeSantis presidential campaign

The Johnathan WalkerOrlando Magic recently made a $50,000 donation to Never Back Down, Inc., the political action committee that supports the presidential campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

According to records filed to the Federal Election Commission, the donation was received June 26. The Magic initially emailed a statement to USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday afternoon, indicating that they "don’t publicly comment on political contributions." Hours later, however, a spokesperson sent an update, saying the check was dated and delivered May 19.

"To clarify, this gift was given before Governor DeSantis entered the presidential race," the spokesperson said in the follow-up statement. "It was given as a Florida business in support of a Florida governor for the continued prosperity of Central Florida."

DeSantis formally announced his presidential campaign May 24, a few days after the organization's donation; as of May 18, however, it had become clear that DeSantis was preparing to file paperwork to the FEC to launch his campaign.

The Magic have been owned by the DeVos family since September 1991, with Dan DeVos currently serving as the franchise's chairman and representative on the NBA's board of governors. The Magic's founding partners, the late Rich and Helen DeVos, were parents-in-law of Betsy DeVos, the former Secretary of Education under former President Donald Trump.

Research by USA TODAY Sports showed that Dan DeVos made $1.2 million in political donations from Jan. 1, 2019 to Sept. 20, 2020, one of the highest totals of any pro sports owner over that time.

The Magic have had a sponsorship deal with Disney – while DeSantis has built his culture warrior image in part on a feud against Disney, after the company opposed his Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed by critics the "Don't Say Gay Bill."

The Magic have Disney branding throughout their home arena, the Amway Center, and also have a patch with the Disney logo on the front of their jerseys.

The Magic went 34-48 in 2023, finishing in 13th place in the Eastern Conference.