The Orlando Magic joined the NBA for the 1989-90 season. The franchise had only a brief period of adjustment before establishing itself as a contender. With the drafting of center Shaquille O'Neal in 1992, the Magic became instantly competitive and one of the league's most popular teams.
Nearly four years before the team sank its first basket, local developer and banker Jim Hewitt began promoting the idea of an NBA franchise in Orlando. He lured then Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Pat Williams to Florida. Williams went to work selling Orlando Magic T-shirts, caps, and other merchandise and persuaded locals to make $100 deposits on season-ticket reservations.

All of this was done to impress the NBA with a show of support from central Florida hoops fans. On July 2, 1986, Hewitt's group was one of five that each put up $100,000 to be considered for a potential NBA expansion team. The payoff came nearly a year later, on April 22, 1987, when the NBA Board of Governors voted to add four new franchises: Charlotte and Miami for the 1988-89 season, and Orlando and Minnesota for 1989-90. The price of admission was $32.5 million per team. Buy Orlando Magic Tickets.