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So instead of playing at Amway this week -- the Magic will play the Bulls and Jazz at in Mexico City. Josh Robins has an excellent article out today in the Athletic discussing it: https://theathletic.com/706015/

Of note, the organization values the trip as a massive win from a marketing standpoint. Every Magic fan's favorite CEO, Alex Martins, is quoted extensively: “We’ve always been interested in playing internationally,” Martins said. “We raise our hand to the league almost annually when the discussion is ongoing about NBA Global Games."

I have no doubt its a big W for the organization from a brand awareness standpoint and for marketing of its sponsors. It also quite clearly continues to demonstrate that the team values marketing well above establishing a winning culture. There is a reason why teams like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, OKC and Atlanta -- all of whom have a natural fan base in Mexico -- are not jumping in and ready to give up two home games for "international exposure". Its not just giving up the games at home -- its making the players be on the road for that additional time frame in an already long season -- its also just another reminder that we are not focused on winning.

As Josh notes in the article regarding being on the road for the additional time period: “'It’s not ideal,'” said Evan Fournier, who participated in the Magic’s 2015 trip to Rio de Janeiro and the team’s 2016 trip to London." Not ideal at all -- I'm surprised he was able to get that quote from Evan but I think it definitely shows the league and potential free agents and anyone who is paying attention what we are all about...

Not sure location matters with this team... about the same on the road and at home.

The push for the 8th seed makes sense now.. gotta get that home revenue back somehow.

Be real, the only thing ownership is interested in “building” are conversion therapy centers.

I'm fine with it being against the Bulls because Chicago to New Mexico and Chicago to Orlando are similar distance trips. But Utah to Orlando is a much longer flight than Utah to Mexico, I rather have the Utah Jazz travel to our arena and have them take the longer flight. We doing Utah Jazz a favor by them having a shorter flight.

For a team supposedly fighting for playoffs we need any lil help including HOME games so its weird to give it up.

As discussed when this was first arranged, I still think it is a mistake over San Juan, Puerto Rico. There is a much more natural fan base for the Magic, and games themselves would be helpful and emotional.

drsd wrote:As discussed when this was first arranged, I still think it is a mistake over San Juan, Puerto Rico. There is a much more natural fan base for the Magic, and games themselves would be helpful and emotional.

Are they able to host a game after the Hurricanes?


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NBlue wrote:So instead of playing at Amway this week -- the Magic will play the Bulls and Jazz at in Mexico City.

I just realized that the Jazz and Celts are only playing the one game (against the Magic, obviously). I am kind of shocked there is not a Jazz vs. Celts game in this.


..

So damn overblown just to have two more away games than home games.. in a 82 game season.. are you kidding me? If this is a big problem to ORL’s players and coaches, then they aren’t playoffs-material.

I agree with dsrd tho.. the fact that Martins & ORL aren’t pushing for Puerto Rico games (even if preseason) is a huge missed opportunity. And a much bigger opportunity for the future.