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5 reasons the Orlando Magic should move D-League to Kissimmee

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Apr 9, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic mascot, Stuff, holds a big flag against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-111. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic mascot, Stuff, holds a big flag against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-111. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Building Magic ties

During the Orlando Magic’s decision making to build the Amway Center, there was a current to place the building in the tourist corridor on International Drive. The Tourist Development Tax was going to pay for the new stadium, after all, many in the industry thought they should more directly benefit from it.

That plan, and several others throughout the year, were voted down and the stadium was (rightly) placed downtown.

A big reason for that is the Magic know they draw many of their fans from North Orange County and Seminole County. Access to Downtown Orlando is much easier from those locales than driving all the way to International Drive and the traffic that snarls the tourist corridor.

Downtown Orlando serves as a central location for the Central Florida area.

Placing a D-League team in Kissimmee gives the Magic a chance to engage fans in Osceola County that may not otherwise go to games. Because the ownership is linked, the Magic can offer season ticket packages for the D-League team that could include a ticket to a Magic game.

There is a business opportunity to grow the Magic brand to someplace nearby.

That is not the primary goal of building the D-League team — and they certainly could do the same thing with Lakeland — but put a good product on the floor, bring some Magic elements to the D-League team and they might be able to move some tickets and get fans of the Kissimmee Whatevers and get them to a Magic game every once in a while.

Next: Market Size