“We can go a number of ways, both sticking to the draft or moving around a little bit. There are several options in front of us. And we’re still trying to assess what those all look like to us.”

- Jeff Weltman, President of Business Operations

Orlando Magic

Around The Horn.

• The NBA draft, which starts at 8 p.m., will be broadcast on ABC (first round) and ESPN (first and second round). The Orlando Magic enter today with two first-round picks (Nos. 6 and 11) and a second-round pick (No. 36) — giving them the potential to add three rookies to a young team that went 34-48, a 12-win increase from the previous season.
• The Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association is hosting the Obstacle Sports Expo at the Orange County Convention Center on July 26-30, 2023. Witness some of the best ninja obstacle athletes from around the world compete in the World Series Finals in five events! Tickets are 10% off through June 25 – purchase yours now! 
• Soccer legends from around the world will gathering to play in The Beautiful Game this Friday at Exploria Stadium. Brazilian legends and World Cup winners Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos will captain the two sides composed of some of the best past and present players in the sport. Kickoff for The Beautiful Game is set for 7:30 p.m., and the game will be carried worldwide on Ubeat Channel.
• UCF dipped into its new conference, the Big 12, to find its next rowing coach. Mara Allen, who won two national championships as an assistant at Texas and an athlete at California, was named the fourth head coach in UCF rowing program history Wednesday night.
• New UCF baseball coach Rich Wallace has finalized his first coaching staff in Orlando. Joining Wallace for his inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference will be former University of Miami assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Norberto Lopez, current Milwaukee Brewer minor-league coach and longtime Coastal Carolina pitching coach Drew Thomas and current UCF assistant Ted Tom.
• A popular e-sports brand has just signed a lease on a 14,788 SF space in downtown Orlando. Velocity E-Sports will take over ground floor space at the new 16-story Society Orlando tower that’s under construction.

In The News.

• In another market, two competing health systems likely wouldn't collaborate on an issue like a nursing shortage. But here, collaboration beat out competitiveness, said Alexander Cartwright, president of the University of Central Florida — the Orlando-based public research university. Central Florida’s nonprofit health care giants AdventHealth and Orlando Health each contributed $5 million to UCF to become two of its inaugural “Pegasus Partners.”
• Universal Destinations & Experiences' think tank has applied for a patent of a technology that will raise the bar on theme park ride augmented reality. The patent, dubbed "Augmented Reality System for an Amusement Ride," introduces a system with facial and skeletal recognition to detect a guest's presence and add augmented-reality components to that image.
• Frontier Airlines has launched a new nonstop flight from Orlando International Airport to Princess Juliana Airport in St. Maarten. Frontier started the new weekly flights on June 10 — bringing the airline's total nonstop flight destinations from Orlando (MCO) to 57.
• The City of Orlando is in the latter stages of completing a massive beautification project that will enhance the natural landscape surrounding the I-4 Solidarity Sculpture. Primarily utilized as a stormwater pond area, this site is DTO's next exciting step towards creating more green spaces for Orlando residents. 
• Last week, the City of Orlando announced a $6.7 million federal grant provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to support the Central Florida Commission on Homeless' No Veteran Left Behind initiative. This funding will support our community’s Housing First philosophy by providing funds for rapid rehousing to quickly place veterans into a home. 
• Port Canaveral has landed yet another shiny, new cruise ship to welcome and add to its growing portfolio of ships. Royal Caribbean International will bring its new Utopia of the Seas to Port Canaveral beginning July 2024.
• Discover a new era of inclusivity and accessibility at Lake Eola Park, where everyone can now easily partake in the swan boat experience! A new wheelchair lift has been recently installed at the swan boat dock to help residents and visitors with disabilities enter the ADA accessible swan boat with ease.

Stay Engaged.

• The City of Orlando continues to increase the vibrancy of downtown Orlando with the launch of Luminary Nights on the Green at the city's newest park, Luminary Green in Creative Village. This 20-minute show turns the iconic ORLANDO sign into a canvas that comes alive with projected animations and lighting to music, all while showcasing the unique and authentic features of Orlando, like nature, innovation, thrills, and hospitality. The show debuted on Wednesday, May 10 and will continuously run every evening from dusk until 10 p.m. 
• Orange County government is hosting a series of town hall meetings to hear how residents would like to guide the region’s growth through the next few decades by participating in the Vision 2050 comprehensive plan.
• Central Florida residents and visitors are invited to celebrate the July 4th holiday at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando for the 46th annual Fireworks at the Fountain event. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. and spectators are encouraged to arrive early to find a great viewing spot and enjoy family-friendly activities, including live music, a kids play zone, and access to the playground.
• During Bite30, participating restaurants offer special prix fixe menus for a three-course dinner at a set price ($35 for dinner). Bite30 runs now through July 9.
• United Arts of Central Florida is seeking proposals for five temporary public art projects in celebration of 25 Years of Orlando Arts Magazine. According to the call for artists page, the project will “… showcase unique installations to illustrate the artistic talent in Central Florida and highlight the magazine’s 150 issues. The proposed project must use aspects from Orlando Arts Magazine‘s prior 149 covers.”
• Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. is back with its innovative Camp Ivanhoe series of events and challenges from June 26-July 2, during which, participants can relive the joys of summer camp while also enjoying craft beers and a little friendly competition.
• Renaissance Theatre Company in Ivanhoe Village will be hosting a Club 54-themed show later this month. The new “54” production is being billed as a “high-concept, entertainment experience where guests will be encouraged to dress in the theme of the iconic 1970s nightclub, before immersing themselves in a 360-degree experience with live music, dancing, and high-end cocktails.
• Mecum, The World's Largest Collector Car Auction®, returns to Osceola Heritage Park for its Kissimmee Summer Special on July 6-9 and will feature an estimated 1,500 American muscle cars, classics, Corvettes, trucks, exotics, Hot Rods, customs and more. 
• Florida Residents can save up to $65 on select multi-day tickets at Universal Orlando theme parks when buying online. Click here for current offers.
• Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.

In The Community.

GO Sports was proud to host the 4th annual SPORTYS Awards presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute last weekend. The show aired on WKMG News 6, with a watch party and sports industry reception hosted concurrently at the Orlando Health Fortress at Full Sail University.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel welcomed attendees at the watch party and sports industry reception for the 2023 SPORTYS Awards.

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson attended Skal International Orlando's June Mixer, pictured here with Anthony Lazzara (Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal).

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson attended East Orlando Chamber Luncheon this week, pictured here with Andrew Cole (East Orlando Chamber), Jamie Seh (WKMG News 6), Terry Mohajir (UCF), and Eric Gray (Christian Services Center Central Florida).

It was a packed house for the SPORTYS watch party and sports industry reception hosted at the Orlando Health Fortress at Full Sail University.

GO Sports hosted a meeting of Greater Orlando's Esports Task Force today at Full Sail University.

GO Sports Executive Vice President visited with Best in Gameday & Team Operations finalist Annie Kosky (Orlando Magic) and Michelle DeVos at the 2023 SPORTYS Awards.

New Corporate Partner.

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www.mearstransportation.com

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Fun & Games.



• Burger restaurant to give away free onion rings for a year
• Disney Eats: Foodie Guide to Flavors of Florida