In just a couple months’ time, the business of basketball will be in full effect in the Silver Spurs Arena, where the Osceola Magic, the NBA G League affiliate of the familiar Orlando Magic, will take to the court.
Fans will be excited to see the players who will head up and down the court; Head Coach Dylan Murphy and General Manager Kevin Tiller will take care of that.
But, the behind-the-scenes stuff will be in the hands of two guys you may see near and around the court, but generally not on the sidelines. Team President Hans Steinbrenner and Osceola Heritage Park/ASM Global General Manager Robb Larson have been getting everything ready at OHP and in the community for a successful first season.
The two joined St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce President/ CEO Dirk Webb Thursday morning for a Quarterly Breakfast event to give an update of how the roster, schedule and facility are coming together for first season of professional, affiliated basketball in Osceola County.
The league hasn’t set full schedules yet, but the Magic should open the season in mid-November. They’ll play 24 home games this season through the month of April.
“We’re excited about the professionalism Robb has for us here,” said Steinbrenner, who was with the Magic when they won a G League title in 2021 and begins his 10th season in the league. He oversees the affiliate’s day-to-day operations while spearheading corporate sponsorships, community involvement and ticket sales — harnessing the $100 million economic impact sports does in Osceola County, according to the Chamber.
“We’re excited to expand the proximity (to Orlando),” he said. “Our core mission is to give back to the community. It’s fun creating partnerships and local opportunities.”
The roster, which will be overseen by General Manager Kevin Tiller, is also in a start of building. Players on two-way contracts can seamlessly go back and forth from Osceola and Orlando, like veteran Admiral Schofield, and 2021 second-round draft pick Kevon Harris, have done the past two seasons. Other G League players are still being signed to contracts all over the league.
“We make sure rookies get playing time to be ready to play in Orlando,” Steinbrenner said.
Larson, who calls himself a “basketball junkie,” has worked at OHP since 2003 and managed it since 2006. But prior to that, he spent 10 years on the administrative side of professional basketball in various leagues.
“It’s like I’ve come full circle,” he said. “We’re celebrating 20 years, but the venue looks nothing like it did back then. It’s a tribute to the hard work of the team here, and Osceola County has supported us, having the same vision.”
And, the venue continues to evolve, in order to better welcome the Osceola Magic. The locker rooms are getting a facelift and will be ready for the season opener, and the Heritage Club started getting a facelift right after Thursday’s breakfast event.
The end product, Larson said will be a venue — and hopefully, a winning team — that can unite the community.
“Sports and music bring us together at a time when, sometimes, we’re fractured,” he said. “When we come to root for the Magic, we’re all wearing blue and cheering for that team — we come together.
The G League will work around events like the Mecum car auction, Osceola County Fair and Silver Spurs Rodeo.
“We’re such a busy venue,” Larson said. “But, because of our flexibility, we worked out just enough availability to accommodate them. We’re thrilled to have those 24 events coming here.”
