Ron DeSantis gets $50,000 donation from Orlando Magic – but Pelicans’ Larry Nance Jr. rips NBA club over Florida Governor’s claim that slaves ‘developed skills for their benefit’
- A $50,000 political contribution to Ron DeSantis has the Magic in hot water
- Nance dislikes DeSantis’ plan to teach children about positive aspects of slavery
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
A $50,000 political contribution to Ron DeSantis has put the Orlando Magic at odds with at least one NBA player.
New Orleans Pelicans power forward Larry Nance Jr. ripped the donation over DeSantis’ ‘anti-woke’ public school curriculum that teaches middle-school students that enslaved people ‘developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.’
‘So the @OrlandoMagic who have a majority black roster, a black head coach, and a black GM decided it was a good idea to support a man that claims that slavery had personal benefits for the enslaved?’ Nance asked on Twitter.
The team defended the donation in a statement this week, claiming it was not a presidential contribution: ‘To clarify, this gift was given before Governor DeSantis entered the presidential race. It was given as a Florida business in support of a Florida governor for the continued prosperity of Central Florida.’
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The donation also caught the eye of the players’ union, the NBPA, which released a statement on Thursday.
Nance takes issue with DeSantis’ plan to teach children about positive aspects of slavery
Nance Jr. ripped the donation over DeSantis’ ‘anti-woke’ public school curriculum
‘A political contribution from the Orlando Magic is alarming given recent comments and policies of its beneficiary,’ the union statement began.
‘NBA governors, players and personnel have the right to express their personal political views, including through donations and statements. However, if contributions are made on behalf of an entire team, using money earned through the labor of its employees, it is incumbent upon the team governors to consider the diverse values and perspectives of staff and players.
‘The Magic’s donation does not represent player support for the recipient.’
While the Magic have participated in progressive league initiatives, such as its ‘NBA Green’ campaign and ‘Pride’ night, the team’s late owner Richard DeVos was unapologetically conservative until his death at 92 in 2018. The billionaire Amway co-founder supported Republican candidates like Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich and was active in the fight against same-sex marriage.
DeVos’ surviving daughter-in-law, Betsy, also served as former President Donald Trump’s Education Secretary, implementing many conservative educational policies in the face of liberal protests during her tenure.
Now it’s DeSantis who is defended his education record.
He has repeatedly defended the new curriculum language regarding slavery, while insisting that his critics are intentionally misinterpreting the policy.
The 30-year-old has two seasons and $21 million remaining on his current contract
Civil rights leaders who have watched DeSantis closely dismiss such explanations.
‘DeSantis has perfected the art of using policy violence that we must stop,’ said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP. His organization issued a travel advisory for Florida in May warning African Americans against DeSantis’ ‘aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools.’
The divisive debate highlights the political and practical risks of DeSantis’ approach to racial issues as he seeks to reset his struggling campaign and the Republican Party works to strengthen its dismal standing with voters of color.
Nance has not been particularly outspoken, politically.
The son and namesake of the former Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers star, the younger Nance has developed a reputation as a hard-working, athletic power forward over stints with four NBA teams.
The 30-year-old has two seasons and $21 million remaining on his current contract.
