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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Etan Thomas

The Orlando Magic spat in the face of Black players by supporting Ron DeSantis

Florida governor Ron DeSantis receives a jersey from the Orlando Magic before a 2019 playoff game against the Toronto Raptors at Amway Center.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis receives a jersey from the Orlando Magic before a 2019 playoff game against the Toronto Raptors at Amway Center. Photograph: Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images

The Orlando Magic’s decision to make a $50,000 contribution in support of the presidential bid of Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, sends a clear message to their Black players, employees and fans. And that message is a U-turn from the one in the summer of 2020 when the United States was in an uproar over the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, the shooting of Jacob Blake as well as countless other examples of police brutality.

Back then, the Magic issued this statement through CEO Alex Martins, allegedly standing in solidarity with Black people:

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