Orlando Magic Spare No Taxpayer Expense On Executive Furnishings

The Orlando Magic move into their nice new $480 million digs this fall. But what’s the point of getting a snazzy new arena if you’re just going to fill it with the same old trappings, right? That’s why $19 million of that figure were reserved for things like a new court, ticket-taker flashlights and even new traffic cones. But these are all practical things that help fans in some way, or at least improve the experience of attending a game.↵

↵↵But wait, not every expense in the new Amway Center is going to be for the fans: looks like taxpayers ponied up for fancy furniture for team execs as well. From the Orlando Sentinel:↵

↵↵⇥And the new arena will likely be the plushest government-owned building in Central Florida, with trendy and expensive designer furniture in public areas and pricey furnishings in private areas — including a $10,000 conference table and eight $2,100 conference chairs in an office suite for Magic executives.↵↵↵There a host of other embellishments, including a nearly $100,000 Zamboni machine, even though there’s a working older version on hand and Orlando doesn’t have a hockey team. Let the populist rage froth over!↵

↵↵A spokesperson for the mayor has said all these expenses were included within the original budget plan, which was drawn up in more bullish economic times. Government oversight people now want to look for ways that the team can find ways to be more thrifty with their purchases. In response, a spokesman for the Magic said the team offered to pay for some team-specific items such as $3,000 T-shirt cannons, but neglected to list many others. With the green light for $19 million from the city, the team likely won’t cut many more corners than they have to.↵

↵