Two of Orlando’s most famous names are sticking together. Walt Disney World and the Orlando Magic have extended their longtime partnership, which means the Disney brand will stay on Magic uniforms.Walt Disney World News and Guide To celebrate, the two unveiled a newly redesigned Walt Disney World Atrium inside the Kia Center in downtown Orlando.
Disney Stays on the Magic Jerseys
The extension continues Disney’s role as the Magic’s jersey sponsor, which started in 2017. That was the first year the NBA allowed sponsor patches on uniforms, and Disney has been on the Magic’s jerseys ever since.
Walt Disney World is also extending its Champion of the Community sponsorship with the Magic, a relationship that began in 2010, the same year the team’s downtown arena opened. That makes this a 16 year partnership between the two Central Florida icons. The length and financial terms of the new deal weren’t announced.
A Reimagined Walt Disney World Atrium
Magic fans heading to Kia Center this season will notice something new right away. The Walt Disney World Atrium has been redesigned with updated artwork and new projection technology that can transform the space during Magic games and other events at the arena.
“The reimagined Walt Disney World Atrium builds on that partnership, creating a vibrant new welcome for fans,” said Joe Schott, President of Walt Disney World. He added that Disney and the Magic have brought people together through shared experiences and a commitment to Central Florida.
Charlie Freeman, President of Business Operations for the Orlando Magic, called both organizations proud Orlando originals. “The Magic are thrilled to extend our longstanding relationship with Walt Disney World,” he said.
A Team Named for Disney Magic
The connection between Disney and the Magic goes all the way back to the team’s beginning. When Pat Williams, the Magic’s late co-founder, came to Orlando in 1986 to help bring an NBA team to the city, he drew inspiration from Walt Disney himself. He even wrote about it in his book Lead Like Walt.
That same year, the team’s name was chosen through a name the team contest in the Orlando Sentinel. The winner, “Magic,” was a nod to Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom. The NBA awarded Orlando an expansion team in 1987, and the Magic played their first season in 1989.
Nearly 40 years later, the Magic and Walt Disney World are still bringing a little magic to Orlando together.
Are you a Magic fan? Have you seen the new Walt Disney World Atrium at Kia Center yet? Let us know in the comments!
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