Shaq Wants to Buy the Magic

[Knightro]

According to Shaq.

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[eyriq]

That would be incredible. I'd worry about his ego getting in the way of management decisions. I don't love the baggage that comes along with the Devos family, and I do think the Hennigan era suffered from an over active ownership group, soooo I don't actually think it would be a step back. I do worry that he'd lean towards star power builds through free agency vs organic builds, but maybe that would work. It works great for Miami.

[Def Swami]

I've had this conspiracy theory since Shaq was spotted courtside at a Lakers-Magic game at Amway last year ('21-'22). It was kind of random that he was there. But I thought it was peculiar that he decided to show up courtside that night with the DeVos family in house as well.

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A couple weeks before he had sold his minority stake in the Kings

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Around that time, Bill Simmons (say what you want about him knows some stuff in owner circles) dropped nuggets that the NBA cares about having a more diverse set of owners. Said he knew LeBron James was interested in the possible Vegas expansion team. Then, LeBron came out later and confirmed that. A few months later, Shaq went on a podcast with Dennis Scott and said (seemed like in jest) if the DeVos family were selling he wanted in with 3D.

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I feel like Shaq has definitely communicated to Adam Silver that he would like to be an owner and he wants the Magic.

And I'm totally on board. Ownership is the biggest competitive advantage in sports. The DeVos family spent under Rich DeVos. But, I felt like they were too hands off in terms of performance. There was no accountability. There were no expectations from the top.

Time heals all wounds, and I think it's cool that Shaq still feels a connection to Central Florida. I think it's cool that he personally feels like there's some "unfinished business" here (a sense I've gotten from listening to interviews from him over the past few years). Orlando is a great city that has really changed since the early 90s. The team could afford a new owner with a younger and more refreshing vibe. You never want an owner who is so involved that they don't allow their coaches and front office to make decisions, but you also don't want your owner to sign blank checks to a bunch of guys with no direction or expectations.

I don't know that the DeVos family is even considering selling. But if they did, Shaq would be a solid outcome.

[Knightro]

That would be incredible. I'd worry about his ego getting in the way of management decisions. I don't love the baggage that comes along with the Devos family, and I do think the Hennigan era suffered from an over active ownership group, soooo I don't actually think it would be a step back. I do worry that he'd lean towards star power builds through free agency vs organic builds, but maybe that would work. It works great for Miami.

To the best of my knowledge, Shaq doesn't have anywhere close to the net worth to actually buy the Magic or any other NBA team outright.

Seems like it would have to be an Alex Rodriguez/Timberwolves scenario where Shaq is the face of the ownership group, but actually is partnered with at least one billionaire who provides the majority of the money.

That said, I don't believe the DeVos family is looking to sell right now.

[Optimus_Steel]

Has Shaq shown the ability to manage a large business successfully? I'm serious. Jordan has not exactly delivered titles for Charlotte...

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[basketballRob]

I'd rather a younger guy with a big ego and over $30B of net worth buy the team.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Didn’t we already went through this? Old news from last year?

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Has Shaq shown the ability to manage a large business successfully? I'm serious. Jordan has not exactly delivered titles for Charlotte...

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We don’t have a title either.

[Max Power]

I think bringing Shaq into the Magics ownership group is a great idea. Despite his ugly player exit, he’s a class guy, very successful as a business man and would be a great ambassador for the franchise, which it desperately needs. The Devos family have done some great things, but those were almost exclusively on Rich’s watch, his kids are ghost owners.

[tiderulz]

Has Shaq shown the ability to manage a large business successfully? I'm serious. Jordan has not exactly delivered titles for Charlotte...

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he definitely owns a lot of businesses.

but NBA owners are billionaires, Shaq is still a millionaire.

[tiderulz]

A couple weeks before he had sold his minority stake in the Kings

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because he got involved in a gambling company.

In 2013 Shaq paid $5 million for a 1% stake in the NBA's Sacramento Kings. In August 2021 Shaq sold his stake in the team so he could become the primary endorser of an online gambling company called WynnBET. He sold his stake in the Kings for $11 million.

[fendilim]

As long as he lets WeHam continue this team build, I wouldnt mind it tbh. It would be nice to have an owner that is passionate with basketball. Like Mark Cuban

[Howard Mass]

He can afford to buy a piece but definitely not the whole team.

I wouldn't let him though.

He left this City high and dry and was always going to leave.

[I Rasharted]

I would love this for the comedy and quotability alone.

[RookieStar]

Eeehhh... no

[richi_v25]

Nah that bridge got burned along time ago, thanks Shaq for the ZERO NBA championships you brought our community. Now go buy LA or Mia we're good, I'd rather stay Amway at least they haven't jumped ship. He'd probably try to move us to a bigger brighter light city.

[drsd]

I'd rather a younger guy with a big ego and over $30B of net worth buy the team.

Larry Page and Sergey Brin are on your list. But has either ever shown any interest in any sport?

The Walton family makes sense and they probably are in the same friend's circles as the DeVos family.

The Mars family also makes sense, and the capacity for branding makes this a no-brainer.

One name that is impossible: Phil Knight & family. Could the NBA ever allow this? And ow horrible would it be for the Nike business model???

[RookieStar]

Better question would be : Why would the ownership sell? Are they losing money? Wasn't it a couple of years ago when we have one of the top-5 richest owners in the league? It shows when they hand our Ra$hard Lewis that contract and doesn't blink eating Gibert's as well...

[drsd]

Better question would be : Why would the ownership sell? Are they losing money? Wasn't it a couple of years ago when we have one of the top-5 richest owners in the league? It shows when they hand our Ra$hard Lewis that contract and doesn't blink eating Gibert's as well...

And-1

The Magic is profitable and ownership seems to enjoy managing the team.

[AdamTheGreek]

He’d be an upgrade over the DeVos family (even factoring TNT comments), but he’d only have a minority team stake, it’d be interesting to see which billionaire or group Shaq would organize to buy the team with.

DeVos family don’t seem interested in selling still.