David Steele to be inducted into Orlando Magic Hall of Fame

Orlando Magic broadcaster David Steele will enter the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame in February, cementing his legacy as the team’s voice.

The Orlando Magic will induct longtime broadcaster David Steele into its Hall of Fame in February as part of its 30th anniversary season.

David Steele has been a broadcaster on both the Magic’s radio and television broadcasts for each of the team’s 30 years, providing a soundtrack to the biggest moments in Magic history.

When Nick Anderson stole the ball from Michael Jordan in Game One of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Chicago Bulls, it was Steele there to should “NICK ANDERSON STOLE THE BALL FROM MICHAEL JORDAN” across the radio dial. He would eventually move to the television booth in 1998.

Steele is often praised around NBA circles for his fair and positive presentation of Magic games, adding wit and humor to the broadcasts while delivering information in a straightforward manner.

The Magic have been lucky to have Steele as a consistent voice  on their broadcasts for 20-plus years on TV and 30 years in some form of media.

"“For 30 years, David Steele has represented the Orlando Magic with tremendous dignity and class,” Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said. “When looking back at the most significant contributions to our history, David has been there to provide the soundtrack for all of them. It is only fitting that he takes his rightful place into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.”"

The team will officially induct Steele into the team’s Hall of Fame in the Nutrilite Fan Experience area of the Terrace Level at Amway Center before the Magic’s Feb. 22 game against the Chicago Bulls. Steele will be publicly recognized during the game too.

He will join a list of key contributors to the Magic’s franchise already inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. Former owner Rich DeVos, general manager Pat Williams and founding owner Jimmy Hewitt are also non-players inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame.

Former players Nick Anderson, Shaquille O’Neal, Anfernee Hardaway and Tracy McGrady make up the entirety of the team’s Hall of Fame, which was started five years ago as part of the team’s 25th anniversary season. It is not clear yet whether the team will add any more players to this year’s class — with the Magic playing catch up it is more about when and what order for key players rather than if.

Steele is more than deserving for this honor.

The University of Florida grad has been named the Broadcaster of the Year both in Florida and North Carolina. Steele called Gators games before the Magic came into existence and still did the team’s local broadcast for Sun Sports through the 1990s.

But his greatest legacy is with the Magic where he is the voice of record. It is hard to imagine watching or listening to Magic games without Steele’s voice nearby.

Even through the team’s struggles through the last few years, Steele’s presentation of the game has been a reason to watch. He finds humor and thought in what is going on while still treating the game and the players with respect and fairness.

He is far greater than the normal hometown broadcaster. And in February he will take his rightful place as a member of the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.