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The Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation on Thursday mentioned {that a} $50,000 donation made by the Orlando Magic to a brilliant PAC supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential marketing campaign was “alarming given latest feedback and insurance policies of its beneficiary.”

“NBA governors, gamers and personnel have the correct to specific their private political beliefs, together with by donations and statements,” the NBPA assertion mentioned. “Nonetheless, if contributions are made on behalf of a whole workforce, utilizing cash earned by the labor of its staff, it’s incumbent upon the workforce governors to think about the various values and views of workers and gamers.

“The Magic’s donation doesn’t characterize participant assist for the recipient.”

The assertion comes after DeSantis made feedback supporting Florida’s new African American historical past normal that claims some Black individuals benefited from slavery.

The Magic’s donation to the tremendous PAC grew to become public in latest federal filings and Magic chief communications officer Joel Glass mentioned in a press release that it was made on Might 19 — just a few days earlier than DeSantis launched his presidential candidacy.

“It was given as a Florida enterprise in assist of a Florida governor for the continued prosperity of Central Florida,” Glass mentioned.

The donation drew the ire of New Orleans Pelicans ahead Larry Nance Jr. on social media.

“So the @OrlandoMagic who’ve a majority black roster, a black head coach, and a black GM determined it was a good suggestion to assist a person that claims that slavery had private advantages for the enslaved?” Nance posted Wednesday.

The DeVos household has owned the Magic since 1991 and has lengthy been a think about Republican circles. Betsy DeVos served as secretary of schooling underneath former President Donald Trump.

“Workforce governors make their very own selections on the political contributions they make and we respect the correct of members of the NBA household to specific their political beliefs,” the NBA mentioned in a press release.