Orlando Magic, FOX Sports Florida announce multi-year extension

Published Oct. 25, 2013 1:21 p.m. ET

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic and FOX Sports Florida announced Friday that they have agreed to a multi-year contract extension, giving the network the exclusive regional television rights to the team. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

The current agreement extends and expands a successful television and marketing partnership that began between the team and then-Sunshine Network with the inception of the Magic franchise in 1989. The Orlando Magic will have 81 regular season games telecast live on FOX Sports Florida during the 2013-14 regular season, beginning with the team's opener on Tuesday, October 29 at Indiana. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:30 pm ET, with tip set for 7 pm ET. In addition, FOX Sports Florida will air the Magic's final preseason game on Friday, October 25 vs. New Orleans (7 pm ET).

"We're very excited to announce the continued partnership between FOX Sports Florida and the Orlando Magic," Orlando Magic Chief Executive Officer Alex Martins said "FOX represents the quality and excellence we strive for in bringing our product to our fans and we are looking forward to this continued relationship. A 25-year partner, FOX has been a staple in telling the Orlando Magic's story and will be an integral part of our future success. We want to take this opportunity to thank the leadership at FOX for their unwavering commitment to the Orlando Magic, our fans, and stakeholders."

"We are pleased FOX Sports Florida will remain the Magic's local TV home for years to come," said Steve Tello, Senior Vice President and General Manager, FOX Sports Florida / FOX's Sun Sports. "We want to thank Rich DeVos, Dan DeVos, Alex Martins, and the entire Magic organization for their efforts in making this deal happen, and we look forward to bringing the Magic into homes of viewers and fans throughout central Florida."

Calling the action for Orlando Magic basketball on FOX Sports Florida will be longtime Magic announcer David Steele (play-by-play), celebrating his 25th season with the team, and former Magic player, Jeff Turner (analyst).

Magic fans will continue to enjoy extensive live pregame and postgame content during "Magic LIVE," including expert analysis, news conferences, player interviews and more. A half-hour edition of the show will air before each of the 81 regular season games, with an extended postgame edition to return immediately following each game broadcast. Paul Kennedy, who also returns for his 25th season covering the Magic, will serve as the host of "Magic LIVE." Joining him will be former Magic players Nick Anderson and Tony Battie, and former Magic Head Coach Brian Hill, who will take turns analyzing the matchups throughout Orlando's Silver Season.

Dante Marchitelli will serve as sideline reporter for all Magic road games, while Jessica Blaylock will join the crew during all home games as a social media reporter via twitter on @FOXSportsMagic.

FOX Sports Florida also showcases the team with their behind-the-scenes TV series "Inside the Magic." In addition, select games will be televised in Spanish on Bright House Networks, with Joey Colon and Ramon Rivas providing the commentary.

For a complete listing of channel locations for FOX Sports Florida in your area, please visit FOXSportsFlorida.com.

Orlando's NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic's mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. The Magic, celebrating its 25th Anniversary Silver Season, has seen great success in a relatively short history, winning five division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010) with seven 50-plus win seasons and capturing the Eastern Conference title in 1995 and 2009. Off the court, on an annual basis, the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, scholarships and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 75,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 6,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, over the last 23 years more than $18 million has been distributed to local nonprofit community organizations via the Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF-MFF), a McCormick Foundation Fund since 1994, which serves at-risk youth. Ticket highlights for the Magic's 2013-14 Silver Season in the Amway Center, honored with TheStadiumBusiness Awards' 2013 Customer Experience Award and named SportsBusiness Journal's 2012 Sports Facility of the Year, include: 2,500 seats priced $20 or less, 8,000 seats priced $40 or less and 9,000 seats priced $50 or under. For ticket information log on to www.orlandomagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.

FOX Sports Florida & FOX's Sun Sports are the regional television homes of the Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Florida State University and the University of Florida. The regional sports networks are available in more than 6.5 million cable & satellite homes across the state. FOX Sports Florida and Sun Sports are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve by engaging our audiences and providing award winning TV and web coverage of Florida's hometown sports teams. For more information, channel listings and how you can get involved with FOX Sports Florida / Sun Sports, visit www.foxsportsflorida.com