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ESPN Innovation Lab Revolutionizes Sports Technology
 When you come up to Central Florida we are pretty sure you have got Orlando theme parks on the mind. After all, advertisements for parks like Universal Studios, Wet ‘N Wild and the Walt Disney World Resort are everywhere. But have you ever thought of Orlando as a sports town? We have the Orlando Magic and just got our own football team thanks to the UFL’s Florida Tuskers, but the great folks at Disney recently opened up a sports spot that blows any other one out of the water. The ESPN Innovation Lab at Disney’s Wide World of Sports is a brand new lab designed to create sports technology that will enhance the game viewing experience for both players and fans. They’ve already released two special features that have enhanced the Major League Baseball and National Football League experiences. For the MLB the ESPN Innovation Lab created Ball Track. This Doppler-based system tracks the distance, height, speed and duration of home runs knocked out of the park by MLB heavy hitters. It was already used successfully over at the MLB’s 2009 Home Run Derby. For the NFL, the ESPN Innovation Lab created the Snap Zone. This freeze-frame technology lets fans take in depth views at certain plays and zoom in and out to check out every detail. The great thing about the ESPN Innovation Lab is that it will be open to visitors at certain times throughout the year. This means that guests will be able to take a look at whatever project the “emerging technology staff” is working on. “The ESPN Innovation Lab is an extension of ESPN’s commitment to being a leader in technology,” said Chuck Pagano, executive vice president, technology, ESPN. “This cutting-edge production house will foster creativity and the development of new tools to provide fans the best on-air coverage of sporting events.” The Wide World of Sports Complex is the home of the Atlanta Braves spring training program. It also hosts the Chelsea Football Club, the Varsity All-Star Cheerleading competition and the Walt Disney World Marathon. This is a great addition to the Walt Disney World attractions. Who knows what other sports technology they’ll come up with next? Labels: Disney Attractions, sports in orlando, walt disney world, wide world of sports
Marathons at the Walt Disney World Resort
 The Disney Company is not just about its Disney theme parks. There are plenty of community activities the company participates in to get citizens involved in fun activities that don’t necessarily mean going on rides at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Recently, Disney unveiled their Give a Day Get a Day campaign in which completing a day of volunteer service gets you a free admission to any of the Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks. But did you know Disney also does marathons? For the runners out there, mixing Disney and running is like a dream come true—especially when you realize your track is one of the Disney theme parks. There are a variety of marathons throughout the year, all of them featuring a different theme and being hosted at a different park. In January there is the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon. In March we have the Disney’s Princess Half Marathon and in September we have the Disneyland Half Marathon over in Anaheim, California. The fall season also has a few of its own marathons here in Orlando, which is great considering the cooler weather that starts to come around this time of the year. There are three Disney marathons in the fall and Disney is encouraging people to participate with a Fall Race Challenge. If you complete 2 out of 3 of the marathons you receive a special bonus medal along with the medals you receive at each race. Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K just finished over at Epcot’s World Showcase Pavillion. Participants were able to attend the post-race picnic that featured food from the Food and Wine Festival. Coming up next is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror marathon. This race is a 13k (appropriately) which winds around the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There is a post-race party where runners and their families can enjoy some food and fun at the movie-themed theme park. If you’re a runner then definitely look up some of Disney’s marathons and sign up. We’re sure there will be one that interests you! Labels: disney events, disney marathon, sports in orlando, walt disney world, walt disney world events
Florida Tuskers Bring the UFL to Orlando
 Orlando is a great city for sports. We have our Orlando Magic basketball team and are within driving distance of a number of other sports teams. Many Orlando citizens are fans of the Florida Gators, but considering our only professional team is the Magic, we could use some football! Not everyone is willing to drive down to Miami to catch a Dolphins game (if they’re even Dolphins fans) and now they won’t have to. The United Football League was founded in 2009 to bring football to close knit communities looking for alternative ways to fill their craving for the national American past time. The UFL consists of only four teams: the California Redwoods, the Las Vegas Locomotives, the New York Sentinels and the Florida Tuskers. The league is small and has been bashed by most of the football critics on the net, claiming it to be nothing more than a league of NFL rejects, but the UFL begs to differ. “Where Future Stars Come to Play” is their motto and considering plenty of the UFL’s players come from universities across the US, they could be right on the money. Two of our very own Florida Tuskers, Dexter Jackson and Eric Powell, come from Florida State University. The Tuskers’ coach Jim Haslett was the former coach of the New Orleans Saints and helped them win their second NFC West Division Championship. Although he is excited about the Tuskers he understands the crowd draw might not be the biggest. In a recent interview with the Orlando Sentinel, Haslett mentioned poor marketing as one of the downfalls. “The disappointing thing is the marketing. I didn't think the marketing was very good in the area. I know this area loves football and I think…maybe if they'd have done more in the area… we'd have had 20,000 people show up for a game. But, you know what, being a premiere season, we've put a good product out and hopefully the league will stay and people will show up to the games." The Florida Tuskers play over at the Citrus Bowl and Tropicana Field. Considering they won their first game against the New York Sentinels 35-13, the Tuskers are off to a good start. Hopefully the league spreads the word and helps Orlando get into the Tuskers spirit! Labels: football in orlando, Orlando Events, sports in orlando
Orlando Magic: New Arena, New Players, New Hope
 Orlando Magic fans, this season is looking to be a great one. Not only does your favorite NBA team have some amazing additions to their line up, they will soon have a brand-spanking new arena. The Amway Center will be a beautiful building with 18,800 seats. With 60 suites, 327 loge boxes and 1,428 club seats there are plenty of spots for the people that like to watch their games in style. Part of sports is celebrating victories or trying to forget the losses, and next season you will be able to do both at two special bars in the Amway. One is an open-air party deck located 42 feet above the ground, the other is a sky bar located 110 feet above the ground so you can celebrate the Magic from the top of the world. The Orlando Sentinel recently featured an article on the Amway Center and one of its architectural highlights, a 150 foot tall tower that will be covered in 200 LED’s and stainless steel mesh. You might be thinking what in the world that has to do with the Magic, but the tower is really for the entire city. "In essence, it's our answer to the Empire State Building in Orlando. For Magic game nights, it could be illuminated blue. For Predator game nights, it could be illuminated red. For St. Patrick's Day, it could be illuminated green.” Said the Magic’s chief operating officer Alex Martins. The tower will be a pretty addition to the Orlando skyline. This season the Magic also have two great new additions to their roster. We have point guard Jason “White Chocolate” Williams and shooting guard/small forward Vince Carter. We also have our superstar and center/power forward Dwight “Superman” Howard. You might have already seen the new commercial featuring Dwight Howard unveiling his Magic jersey under a suit a la Clark Kent. It’s just another sign that the Orlando Magic are back and ready to go for a new season of great basketball. If you’ve never checked out a game of Orlando Magic basketball then this is the perfect season to start! Check out our Orlando Magic ticket deals on OrlandoFunTickets.com! Labels: basketball in orlando, orlando magic, sports in orlando
Orlando Magic Ready for Training Camp
 Magic fans: your boys are gearing up for another great season of Orlando Magic basketball. Training camp starts next week and the team is getting ready to bring on a whole new season of great basketball to the Orlando area. There’s been a lot of shaking up in the Magic’s roster which is now at 15 players. They signed free agents Morris Almond and Linton Johnson III to their lineup to add to their arsenal as they gear up for their pre-season opener on October 5th. For seven tough days your Magic team will be practicing drills and shooting hoops to get into prime condition for another Orlando Magic basketball season. Their home opener is October 28th against the Philadelphia 76’ers, but before that they’ll host interstate rivals and 2006 NBA Champions the Miami Heat. Magic fans have a lot to look forward to now that they have Vince Carter as their Shooting Guard. He brought Toronto to their feet and made the hockeytown crazy for basketball during his time with the Raptors. But now he’s ready to take on Orlando fans and get them hyped about their hometown team. They’ve got every reason to be too! Carter led the Toronto Raptors to three consecutive appearances in the NBA Playoffs and helped the USA Basketball team win the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia back in the year 2000. He’s also an eight-time All-Star, 1999 Rookie of the Year and 2000 Slam Dunk Champion. With stats like that the Orlando Magic can consider Carter their not-so-secret weapon on the courts. Coach Van Gundy recently talked to the Orlando Sentinel about how he would handle Carter on the team. "My guess going into the season is that at the end of the game, he's the guy you go to most of the time because of his ability to create a shot either for himself or for the team," Van Gundy said. The Orlando Magic’s 82 regular games will be broadcasted on television throughout the season. 38 of the games will be on Sun Sports, 32 will be shown on Fox Sports and the remaining 12 will be shown on TNT, ABC and ESPN. But the best way to check out the basketball games is live and in person, so make sure you head out to the arena this season with your discount Orlando Magic tickets! Labels: basketball in orlando, discount orlando, orlando magic, sports in orlando
Play Like the Pros at Walt Disney World Resort
 Do you love Walt Disney World? Do you have a passion for learning and improving your tennis game? Then, do we have an announcement for you! The Modern Tennis Coaching Academy, of All-Star tennis coach Oscar Wegner and internationally acclaimed tennis player Jorge Aguirre, is coming to the Walt Disney World Resort. Two week-long camp sessions will take place this summer at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, during the weeks of July 26 – August 2 and August 2 – August 9! Combining a vacation into a great learning experience for young athletes, the “Play Like the Pros” program will provide students with the tennis lesson of a lifetime. Campers will be treated to training both on and off the court with tennis marvels Oscar Wegner and Jorge Aguirre. Oscar Wegner is one of the most well-known tennis coaches in the world. Having played internationally in the 1960’s and then moving into the world of coaching, coach Wegner developed a methodology to teaching tennis. His methods make tennis an easy sport to pick-up and perfect. With his teaching methods he has molded some of the top players in five continents! Jorge Aguirre is one of the top players in the country from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is a true expert of modern tennis. With the combined teachings of this duo, students to the camp will leave with solid knowledge and experience to perfect their tennis game! The week-long camp will provide tennis instruction, accommodations, Disney theme park visits, and more! Included in the camp, campers will get over 24 hours of MTM certified tennis instruction for all skill levels (beginners, intermediate, and advanced). The training sessions will be broken down into small groups, based on age and skill level, for personal one-on-one attention. After intense training during the day, campers will want to cool down and relax at their resort accommodations. Campers will be housed at the sports-loving, fun, resort of Disney’s All Star Sports Resort. All of the meals and ground transportation will be taken care of by the program, as well. Even tennis-loving fanatics will need a break from the courts from time to time. Included in the camp is one night at Disney’s Cirque du Soleil production of La Nouba (at Downtown Disney), a day at Magic Kingdom, and a day at Epcot. If all of the Disney fun makes parents and additional family members jealous, why not bring them ALL to Walt Disney World?! For an additional fee, families can add family members to the room accommodations. Now all you need are those discount Disney World tickets for your family members, and the entire family can enjoy a week of fun, sun, and sports at Walt Disney World Resort! So, why not, treat your sport-loving kids to a summer camp they will never forget (And, treat yourself to the vacation of a lifetime)! Labels: Discount Disney Tickets, sports in orlando, walt disney world events, Walt Disney World News, wide world of sports
Water Park Fun & More: Disney's Wide World of Sports
 As summertime brings warm, sunny days and beautiful, breezy nights to Orlando, there is no better time to explore some of the different offerings of Walt Disney World. And the best way to take advantage of said offerings is through Disney's Water Park Fun and More ticket option, which is an all-in-one access pass to Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, Disney's Wide World of Sports, Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course, and DisneyQuest at Downtown Disney. Over the past few weeks, we've been highlighting some of these great Disney spots and why the Water Park Fun & More ticket option is such a steal. And in our final installment this week, we're checking out the games at Disney's Wide World of Sports. The Wide World of Sports (WWoS) Complex at Walt Disney World is a mysterious entity. Many visitors to Walt Disney World are unsure of what exactly the complex is. After all, it's big enough to be a Disney theme park itself, but the WWoS doesn't pull in nearly as many admissions as the other parks do. Still, for the players participating in an ever-important championship game, and for the spectators who get to be witness to that game, the Wide World of Sports is just as magical as Magic Kingdom. To put in simpler terms, the WWoS is a 200 acre athletic complex located inside Walt Disney World. Made up of nine different venues, the comples hosts over 170 amateur and professional sporting events throughout the year. Its clients represent some of the best names in sports - the AAU, Pop Warner, the Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the USSSA, and more. The WWos complex consists of Champion Stadium, an impressive 9,500-seat baseball stadium that's hosted two regular season Major League Baseball series; the Milk House, a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena; the Jostens Center, a similar but smaller arena; the Hess Sports Fields, eight multi-purpose fields equipped to host multiple sports; the Baseball Quadraplex consisting of four professional baseball fields and practice facilities; the Diamondplex, consisting of six fields used for softball and youth baseball; the Centre Court Stadium, a ten-court tennis complex; and the Track and Field Complex, a 500-seat competition facility for track and field events. Though WWoS is different from the other Walt Disney World attractions in the sense that you can't randomly drop by and explore it (the complex is closed if there are no events going on), it often offers a variety of unique and unusual sporting events sports lovers can really get into. For example, every year the PGA Tour tees off at the complex with the Children's Miracle Network Classic. The Braves hold spring training there every year, and the Disney's Soccer Showcase features 600 of the best soccer teams in the country battling it out. The famed Walt Disney World Marathon, which runs through the various parks, is also hosted there every year. So next time you take a trip to Walkt Disney World, we suggest checking out the events scheduled that week at Disney's Wide World of Sports for some fun at an lesser-known Disney attraction. Parking at the complex is free, though there is an admission fee for spectators. However, if you have the Water Park Fun & More ticket, you'll get in free! When you consider all the events hosted at the Wide World of Sports, along with all the other admissions that come with the Water Park Fun & More option, adding it onto your Walt Disney World tickets just makes sense. Check out OrlandoFunTickets.com now for Water Park Fun & More, and have fun at the water parks, the golf course, the sports complex - or wherever you decide to go. Labels: cheap disney tickets, Discount Disney Tickets, Disney Tickets, sports in orlando, wide world of sports
Disney Offers Extra Spring Training Fun
 Sports fans visiting Walt Disney World this spring will have more than just the star appearances and interactive sports fun of ESPN Weekend to eagerly anticipate. This February and March, the Atlanta Braves will hit Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex for spring training, and Disney guests can be right there for all the action. And even better, this year, Disney has put together some special extras for the fans to make 2009’s training season a real treat. The Braves will take over Champion Stadium within the Wide World of Sports for an 18-game home schedule that features the best slate of opponents since the team had their first training season here in 1997. The Braves will go up against the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Boston Red Sox, and even Florida’s very own Marlins, among others. Fans will also be able to see incredible games like the World Baseball Classic Exhibition featuring Panama and Venezuela. The team had their first full squad workout on February 18, and on February 26, they’ll kick off spring training with their first game against the Houston Astros. The final game will take place on March 30 against the Boston Red Sox. And for the fans, Walt Disney World has introduced new features to make a day at the ballpark even more exciting. One addition is the One Field Spectator Experience; sponsored by Kodak, this option allows a limited number of fans to watch pre-game batting practice and warm-ups on the field in an area behind home plate. They’ll even get a free disposable Kodak camera with which to take shots of their favorite players. The All-You-Can-Eat Buffet is also new, a designated patio along the third base side that features all the hot dogs you can eat, as well as hamburgers, popcorn, peanuts, soda, and bottled water. And spicing up the games this season will be free entertainment from the House of Blues. Fans will be able to enjoy special pre-game and in-game concerts right in the ballpark featuring blues musicians Ruth King and Jeff Coffee at select games. A classic Disney character will also be on hand for all 18 home games, accompanying first-pitch contestants to the mound. Additional fan fun includes six music-themed nights, trivia contests, and several promotional nights, all designed to give fans a spring training experience they’ll never forget. “With these new guest enhancement options, fans will have the ability to immerse themselves in Braves spring training like never before, creating a customizable experience at an affordable price that can bring them closer to their favorite players and enhance their overall spring training experience at Disney,” said Faron Kelley, director of Marketing and Communications for Disney Sports. “We think these fan options, coupled with the Braves’ extraordinary spring schedule that includes the Yankees, Red Sox and reigning World Series champion Phillies, will make this year’s spring training season one of the best ever for fans attending the games.” So don’t miss all the baseball action out on the field at Disney’s Wide World of Sports when the Atlanta Braves gear up for the season against some of baseball’s best. And when the game is over, hit the parks with Walt Disney World tickets from OrlandoFunTickets.com for a really fun and memorable spring day. Labels: braves, sports in orlando, spring training, walt disney world events, wide world of sports
Super Bowl Winners are Going to Disney World!
 One particular phrase in the English language has become so iconic over the years that it is now a trademark reaction to any kind of milestone achievement. Most recently uttered by American Idol winner David Cook, the expression “I’m going to Disney World!” has even been used as a sort of joke – that’s how often it’s been said. But for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, “going to Disney World” is no joke – it really is how the players will celebrate their dramatic victory in Super Bowl XLIII. In the midst of frenzied celebrations just after their team claimed the National Football League championship on Sunday, February 1, Roethlisberger and Holmes shouted, “I’m going to Disney World!” And indeed, they will. Steeler victory celebrations will kick off at Magic Kingdom on February 2 with a special Super Bowl victory parade down Main Street, U.S.A. Holmes, a native of Belle Glade who scored the winning touchdown last night in Tampa, will be joined by NFL Youth Football players from Jacksonville, Florida, for the special celebration beginning at 11 am. Through Roethlisberger initially planned to join the MVP wide receiver, he’ll be making his celebration visit at a later date. Roethlisberger and Holmes made their victory announcement as part of one of TV’s longest commercials, filmed immediately after the Steelers’ 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. This latest commercial is the milestone 40th of a series that first began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI. The first “I’m going to Disney World” commercial featured New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, and as a national commercial involving a current event airing on major networks within hours of its conclusion, it was regarded as a groundbreaking concept. Holmes and Roethlisberger have joined a long lineup of people from sports, music, and beyond who have celebrated milestone achievements by “going to Disney World!” If you’re a Steelers fan, there’s nothing quite like celebrating your team’s victory with fellow fans at Holmes’ victory parade at Magic Kingdom. Or, if you can’t make the parade, you can plan a day at the park to coincide with Roethlisberger’s future visit. No matter when you drop by Walt Disney World, you’ll be sure to celebrate the Steelers' Super Bowl victory in style. And don’t forget that Walt Disney World offers special promotions for birthday celebrations too – check out all the details on our What Will You Celebrate? page. After all, there’s no place quite like Disney theme parks for celebrating an event that’s close to your heart. Be sure to check out Walt Disney World tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com in order to get your birthday party or sports celebration started. Labels: Discount Disney Tickets, disney world, sports in orlando, super bowl, walt disney world events
Gators Fans Unite at Universal Studios
 When the University of Florida Gators football team won the BCS National Championship Game on January 8th, making them the 2009 National Champions, you can be sure that all of Florida united in celebration. And in fact, the party still hasn’t finished! Gator fans who are still reliving every moment of glory from last Thursday’s game can unite at Universal Studios Orlando, when the Orlando theme park hosts Gators National Championship Celebration Day on January 17th. Fans can enjoy special savings and entertainment throughout the day in honor of their favorite sports team. This Saturday, Universal Orlando will become Gator country with unique entertainment specially catered to Gator fans. There’ll be appearances from special Gator guests Chris Leak, James Bates, Elijah Williams, Chris Doering, Errict Rhett, Jeff Chandler, Earnest Graham Jr., and Fred Weary. The Florida Gator Cheerleaders will also make a special appearance, as well as the Florida Gator mascots Albert and Alberta! The fun starts at 10 am, when guests can enjoy free Gator Face Painting until 12 pm at Port of Entry, the gateway to the five areas at Islands of Adventure. Also at Port of Entry from 11 am to 12 pm, fans will be able to line up for a photograph with the Gator Cheerleaders and the team mascots. Then, at 12 pm, head over to Finnegan’s Bar and Grill for lunch while you watch the re-airing of that momentous national championship game. At 2 pm, stick around to watch the Florida Gators face off against the Arkansas Razorbacks in basketball. Then at 3 pm, gather up your team spirit for a special Gator Celebration Parade featuring the special Gator guests, the cheerleaders, mascots, Universal Studios characters, and members of the University of Florida Pride of the Sunshine Marching Band. Right after the parade, head to Hollywood Boulevard at 3:30 for the Gator Celebration Pep Rally, and get ready to cheer your loudest. Gators National Championship Celebration Day will wrap up at Universal's CityWalk from 4 to 7 pm, when fans will really let loose at the After Party at Pat O’Brien’s. Anyone who bleeds orange and blue will enjoy drink specials and 10% off total food purchases. So come be a part of the excitement, and don’t forget to wear your orange and blue this Saturday at Universal Studios, when the park will be swarming with Gators. Be a smart Gator and score discount Universal Studios tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com, and you’ll really be able to make the most of Gator celebration weekend. Labels: City Walk Clubs, City Walk Restaurants, sports in orlando, Universal Events, Universal Studios Orlando, University of Florida
Will Shaq Take Over the Orlando Magic?
 The rumor has been swirling around for ages; beloved NBA player and former Orlando Magic center Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal has often announced a desire to become General Manager of the Orlando Magic when he retires, possibly sometime after the 2009-2010 season. However, does this idea, which sounds like a drug-induced cockamamie scheme to many Orlando fans, actually have any possibility of coming to fruition? Not anytime soon, but O’Neal is persistent in his claim that it will happen. When Brian Hill was re-announced as head coach in May 2005, O’Neal reportedly said, “It’s good that he’s back. When I buy the team in three years, he’ll be working for me.” He has frequently reiterated this statement in one form or another throughout the years, though the general consensus has always been that he was yanking Orlando’s chain, so to speak. However, O’Neal states that he and fellow Phoenix Sun player Grant Hill are serious about returning to the Orlando Magic. The two have become best friends since becoming teammates in Phoenix last season. After they retire, they plan to go into business together, with O’Neal vying for the position of General Manager of the Magic, and Hill planning to be its President. The only way many people see this happening is if the two buy the team, which they have also talked about, although Magic president Bob Vander Weide says the team’s not for sale. “It’s certainly something we’ve talked about a lot since Shaq’s come on board here,” Hill told the Sacramento Bee. “I think Orlando makes sense because we live there and we both played there. Ownership is something that we’re both interested in. We know people and we have groups and various people who are interested as well…There’s no clear, concrete plan. But it’s certainly something that when we’re done playing we’ll definitely look into.” “I’ve mentioned it to [Orlando Magic CEO and president] Bob Vander Weide and he laughs,” O’Neal added. “But I know they love Grant as president…He’s better looking, better spoken, and can do the president. But I can be the general manager. I can get stuff done.” It will be interesting to see how Orlando reacts if O’Neal and Hill ever return to manage the team, seeing as how there’s still a great deal of animosity among Magic fans against both players; fans are still irked with Shaq for leaving the Magic to join the Los Angeles Lakers after the 1995-1996 season (he was tempted away by a $122 million dollar contract). Some fans are peeved at Hill too, who is also a former Orlando Magic player notorious for not showing much loyalty to the team. Hill spent a large part of his seven years on the team injured and sitting on the bench; after recovering from multiple surgeries, he returned for three-quarters of the 2006-2007 season and then signed with the Suns for $2 million a year. For the time being, a Hill and O’Neal-run team is still a long way off. O’Neal is contracted for two more seasons, and Hill, who is exercising his 2008-2009 option with the Suns, has given no word on when he will retire. And as far as buying the team goes, Vander Weide has a message for the Suns duo: “There will not be any for-sale sign on the Orlando Magic…We have just made a long-term commitment to the city of Orlando and are excited about the new venue and our team.” That’s tough news for Hill and O’Neal, but seeing as Orlando doesn’t seem to want them here all that badly anyway, it’s probably for the best. As Orlando Sentinel blogger Brian Schmitz put it, “The Magic needed them as players, not as a Starsky and Hutch management team.” Labels: Orlando Attractions, orlando magic, sports in orlando
Orlando Magic to Open Their 20th Season
 A couple of things happen in Orlando during the fall; kids get excited for trick or treating, teenagers scare themselves silly at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, and the air begins to get a bit crisper. But few things generate as much fall excitement as the opening night of the Orlando Magic’s new season. And this year, the anticipation of this week’s opening night game on October 29th is reaching a fever pitch. Why, you ask? As it happens, it’s the NBA team’s 20th anniversary, which means that this season is bound to be full of great events and surprises for the fans, not to mention big hopes for Orlando’s favorite team. The Orlando Magic is Central Florida’s only NBA team and has had a host of basketball stars such as Shaquille O’Neal, Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, Grant Hill, and Tracy McGrady. The team plays in the 17,000 seat Amway Arena located in the heart of downtown Orlando, where they have garnered a fierce following among Orlando residents and visitors. This week's Season Opener is taking place at 7 pm against the Atlanta Hawks, and fans just can’t wait to see all the action. One thing to look for in the opener is the Magic’s new look. In honor of their 20th anniversary, they’ll be donning their new uniforms, which are a kickback to the original uniforms worn when the team began in 1989. “We took the classic pinstripe approach from the first season and redesigned it with an evolved tapered pinstripe and worked it into the flowing cutlines of the new design," said Adidas apparel designer Jonathan Yuska. The majority of the jersey is Magic blue with white pinstripes running from the bottom that widen as they pass the underarm and reach the shoulder. A black stripe also runs along each side of the jersey with a thin white trim. A 20th Anniversary patch is located on the right shoulder. The pinstripe effect is sure to make the 6-foot tall players look imposing over their opponents in the upcoming 45 games. However, if that doesn’t intimidate them, there’s always the Magic’s incredible new players, including power forward Tony Battie who is returning from shoulder surgery, point guard Anthony Johnson from Sacramento, shooting guard and 2008 draft Courtney Lee, shooting guard Mickael Pietrus from Golden State, small forward Jeremy Richardson, a training-camp invitee, and powerhouse Dwight Howard. Having had a great season in 2007, the Magic are facing a lot of expectations to do well this season. Last year, the Magic clinched the Southeast Division title, their third division title ever and their first since the Southeast Division was formed. They also saw a pinnacle moment when they won their 50th game against the Chicago Bulls (whom they hadn’t defeated since the 95-96 season) and finished their best season yet at 52-30. Then in the Eastern Conference, the Magic saw victory against the Toronto Rapters in their first round playoff series, but then fell to the Detroit Pistons in the second round, ending their playoff run in 2008. The Magic is optimistic about their new season, though, and is looking for a flashy ring to go with their new uniforms, if you know what we mean. The team has made it clear that its goal this year is an NBA Championship – but it’s not going to be easy since they’re sure to face tough competition in the East Conference. Nevertheless, like the rest of Orlando, we have high hopes, and win or lose, it’s certain to be a nail-biter of a season. So make sure you don’t miss any of the action by getting your discount Orlando Magic tickets for the season early! You won’t have to jump through any hoops for them – just go to your #1 discount ticket resource, OrlandoFunTickets.com. Labels: Orlando Events, orlando magic, sports in orlando
Sports activities in Orlando
You may not believe it, but there are more fun, family outings in Central Florida besides going to the theme parks! In fact, in addition to all of the fun that you can have at Disney, Sea World and Universal, there is professional basketball, arena football and plenty of collegiate athletics that will quench any sports lover’s thirst right here in Orlando! To find out more about how you too can experience the fun of the sports scene in Central Florida, keep reading below! The first stop on any sports fan’s list should be a visit to Amway Arena in downtown Orlando, home to the NBA’s Orlando Magic and the Arena Football League’s Orlando Predators. From October through mid-summer, you can often find one of these two teams battling it out for the hometown fans and many onlookers who are merely passing through the city. The Magic, in their 19th season in the City Beautiful, are steadily climbing the ladder of the NBA’s elite behind All-Star Dwight Howard & Co., including Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and first-year Head Coach Stan Van Gundy. With a second consecutive appearance in the NBA playoffs looming this year and with the squad having won the Southeast Division title for the first time since the 1995-96 season, the Magic have nothing but championship aspirations on the hardwood. Over 17,000 raucous fans are on hand to witness 41 home games a year (not counting pre-season and playoffs) from November until mid-April, and then playoff fever strikes in Orlando as soon as the regular season ends. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see these NBA superstars live and in person at Amway Arena during your next vacation, courtesy of OrlandoFunTickets.com! We are your No. 1 online source for discounted tickets to all of the top attractions in Central Florida, including the Orlando Magic. Whether it is a seat in the upper or lower bowl that you are looking for, we can help you see the Magic for less – just call 866-225-4712 now to purchase your discounted Orlando Magic tickets! As we mentioned above, the Orlando Predators also bring their hard-hitting to Amway Arena seven to eight times a year on weekends from March until early summer, depending how far they make it in the playoffs. Last season, the Predators finished with an 8-8 record and a disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Soul in the Wild Card round of the Arena Football League’s playoffs. But despite the way the season ended, the Predators still managed much success on the field in 2007, including making their league record 15th consecutive playoff appearance, and many individual players also took home personal acclaims of their own. Behind quarterback Shane Stafford, who continues to re-write the Predators’ record books year after year, and Head Coach Jay Gruden, the Orlando squad is looking to return to the ArenaBowl in 2008 and bring the trophy back home to Orlando! If you are looking for more a more intimate collegiate athletics experience, the University of Central Florida is also just a short drive away from the attractions in Orlando. The Knights have 16 men’s and women’s sports team at the university, ranging from football and basketball to golf, volleyball and rowing. In other words, no matter what your favorite sport is, UCF has a team you can root for. In recent years, football at the university has taken on a whole new life thanks to the opening of the school’s on-campus facility, Bright House Networks Stadium. This 45,000+ stadium is home to the team that made it second postseason berth in school history this year when it took on Mississippi State in the Liberty Bowl, falling 10-3 as the SEC squad broke a tie in the game’s final two minutes to take home the title. In addition to a new football stadium, UCF also has a brand new on-campus arena as well, a 10,000-seat venue that opened in the fall of 2007 and is home to the Knights’ basketball and volleyball squads. To experience all of the Division I action going on at the UCF campus in Orlando, head on over on your next vacation to support Orlando’s hometown school! Labels: basketball in orlando, football in orlando, Orlando Attractions, orlando magic, orlando predators, sports in orlando, Universal Orlando Events
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