<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Magic ownership has been putting on its best face about the arena issue, saying the politically correct things -- or, frankly, not saying much at all. This much is becoming clear: Privately, the franchise is no longer optimistic about its future in Orlando. The confidence the Magic once had about keeping the team in town has faded. At the moment -- and things can change fast -- Rich DeVos' family is starting to get that same queasy feeling it did before it lost Shaq. Disheartened by hotel-row feedback and newspaper polls, the Magic have run into a political brick wall. They're feeling they might have to launch the franchise's greatest comeback. I detect the Magic's reaction to the latest vibes they're receiving goes beyond the normal posturing. Because in the baseball vernacular, the Magic have yet to throw out the first pitch -- or threat -- of the arena-annexing season. They're quietly preparing to make their case for a new arena soon, a tug-of-war that figures to rage for another year, probably longer. While emotion drives sporting endeavors, this comes down to business -- what makes the best financial sense for Orlando and the basketball team. The city offered the Magic a renovation proposal for its 16-year-old arena. The Magic are studying it and taking their own polls. But they really don't believe renovation makes sense, even if they haven't publicly said so. "One thing we're clear on, we'll do our due diligence," Magic President Bob Vander Weide told the Sentinel. "We'll be methodical, prudent business people, which is why we can't say anything about renovation." The point the Magic will make is simple: A new arena will serve more than just tall guys in sneakers.</div> Source
