Orlando Magic Daily
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2017 Central Florida 85 Nos. 35-50: Behind the scenes

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins introduces Jeff Weltman as President of Basketball Operations during a press conference on May 24, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins introduces Jeff Weltman as President of Basketball Operations during a press conference on May 24, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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36. Flavio Da Silva, Orlando City

Orlando City has taken over a lot of the Orlando sports scene. The new stadium is the toast of the soccer world, earning a U.S. World Cup Qualifier in its first year and rave reviews from players and fans.

The team Flavio Da Silva runs though? That is still another story.

The Lions moved up to MLS with a three-year plan to get to contention, using a mix of young and old players. Orlando City certainly has the stars in Kaka, Cyle Larin and now Dom Dwyer. And the team has never been shy about spending. Kaka is the highest paid player in the league.

But it is year three and the team is floundering after its strong start. Orlando City is once again below the playoff red line and is running out of time to get in. It is not looking good.

Orlando City has built up a lot of good will in the community. It is amazing to think how fast the organization (started by Phil Rawlins before he sold to Flavio Da Silva) has entrenched itself into Orlando’s culture. But the honeymoon of a new team and a new stadium wear off eventually. While the atmosphere is fantastic, at some point fans want to see a winner.

That is the question at the feet of Flavio Da Silva and his organization as Orlando City finishes another disappointing season.

35. Alex Martins, Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins has had to fight a bad reputation with fans. However things went down in Rob Hennigan’s last year and a half, Alex Martins has taken a lot of the public blame. Rightly or wrongly.

What is unquestioned is Martins made the decision to hire Hennigan and holds some account for the worst five-year stretch in Orlando Magic history. That falls on him.

Whatever lessons Martins needed to learn from the past five years as the CEO for the team, and its de facto owner (the go-between for the organization and the DeVos family), he hoped to have learned them in hiring a new president of basketball operations in Jeff Weltman.

Weltman brings with him the opposite of Hennigan — a ton of NBA experience. And maybe that will allow him more independence and better insight to jumpstart this team’s rebuild.

Still, the team is under immense pressure to right the ship and get back on track. The Magic and their fans are hungry to return to the Playoffs. Everyone is ready to point the finger at Martins again, especially if a second general manager hire goes wrong.

But the Magic are still the flagship sports property for Orlando. Martins helped spearhead the events centers that transformed Orlando. Without Martins’ lobbying there is no Amway Center. And there is possibly no Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts or renovated Camping World Stadium. These were all the impetus for the city’s sports growth.

His next project is slowly starting to rise across the street from Amway Center. The Orlando Magic’s entertainment complex is an exciting development downtown that should add to the gameday experience and further help the city grow.

Martins may not have the greatest reputation among Magic fans after a tumultuous year and a half, but he is still a big mover and shaker within the city.

Next: Orlando Magic create clearer rotation and path to identity

We will be back tomorrow with part four of our series ranking the top 85 figures in Central Florida sports. Be sure to put in your thoughts and who you think should make the list in the comments below!