Magic President Admits Stadium Offer was Low-Ball Number

ORLANDO-After his father-in-law triggered a community groundswell of negative publicity against the Orlando Magic, team president Bob Vander Wiede acknowledges to the Orlando Sentinel that team owner Richard DeVos’ $10.5 million offer to help build a new $250 million Downtown basketball arena was just a feeler.

DeVos will probably kick in more than $10.5 million but a precise number is far from being determined, Vander Wiede indicated at a private meeting with the daily newspaper’s executives. DeVos initially asked taxpayers to pay 80% or $200 million. The $10.5 million is 4.2% of the estimated cost.

The team’s lease with the city expires in 2004 and DeVos has to decide whether to stay or leave Orlando before the end of this year, lawyers assisting both the city, Orange County and the Magic tell GlobeSt.com.