The Orlando Magic intend to put in a bid for the 2019 or 2020 NBA All-Star Game, Magic CEO Alex Martins tells Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.
Orlando hosted the All-Star Game in 2012 during the lockout-shortened year as a showcase for the Amway Center and it seemed Orlando would be destined to become part of a normal rotation of cities to host the All-Star Game. It is not a matter of if the All-Star Game returns to the Amway Center but when.
That when is likely going to coincide with the Magic’s plans to build an entertainment complex across the street from Amway Center on Church Street. That complex will include retail, restaurants, office space, hotels and convention center space on the property that currently includes the Orlando Police Department headquarters and a parking garage. The Magic are expected to begin construction on the project soon, possibly after Magic season ends.
Orlando got great reviews for the venue for the All-Star Game and obviously the weather and hotel space within the city make it very attractive for the event. Then-commissioner David Stern had high hopes for Orlando.
Some things may need some adjustment. The big complaint about the weekend in 2012 was how spread out everything was. The Amway Center was the only event downtown with the hotels and practice gym at the Orange County Convention Center. It was tough to get around the city without a car or without being on a shuttle for much of the time.
That may not be a solvable problem with the way Orlando’s infrastructure is. But it also does not detract from Orlando as a potential host. It is a place the NBA wants to be.
And Orlando’s turn will come.
The All-Star Game is heading to Charlotte in 2017 and will likely head to Los Angeles in 2018. The usual suspects — Houston and New Orleans — will likely be up for 2019 and 2020 too with some other newer cities in the mix too.
Orlando will very much be in the mix for these bids. We will see whether this will be the time for the Magic and the city of Orlando to host the game again.
