Impact Update for Friday, February 7 | |
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"Women athletes have always been a huge part of basketball for me: They’re the ones who taught me the game...My mom played in the WNBA and in college, and she instilled in me the discipline and dedication it takes to win. She and my grandmother have been my biggest inspirations, and without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. To have my first Jordan Brand Player Edition honor them is special — it’s a way to show my gratitude and remind myself of the foundation they built for me."
-Paolo Banchero
Orlando Magic Forward
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Quote of the Day.
"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."
-Vince Lombardi
NFL Legend
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Around The Horn.
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Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and Jordan brand have unveiled Banchero's first signature shoe, a Player Edition of the Heir Series basketball shoe. The shoe represents his journey from Seattle to the NBA, honoring the influence of his mother and grandmother on his game and style while also paying tribute to women's impact on culture and sport. The colorway honors the Rotary Boys & Girls Club, where Paolo developed his game through the Seattle Rotary Select Basketball Program.
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Orlando City SC has acquired winger Marco Pašalić as a Designated Player from HNK Rijeka of Croatia’s Supersport HNL. The Croatian winger will join the Lions on a three-year contract through 2027, with a Club option in 2028. Pašalić, 24, comes to Orlando with over 200 games of experience in the European leagues, including appearances for Borussia Dortmund.
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The Orlando Pride has transferred forward Adriana to Al Qadsiah FC of Saudi’s Women’s Premier League for a Club record fee. After two years with the Pride, Adriana’s transfer will serve as the highest transfer fee for a player sale in Orlando Pride history and will be in the top three highest in NWSL history.
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Orlando Solar Bears' forward Spencer Kersten has been named Howies Hockey Tape ECHL Rookie of the Month for January. The 24-year-old recorded at least one point in 11 of his 12 games, including six multi-point games. He ended the month on a nine-game point streak, scoring nine goals and adding five assists over that span.
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Major League Fishing's Bass Pro Tour Fan Experience will be held on Feb. 15-16 at Ski Beach Park on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, FL. Guests can enjoy food trucks, kid's fishing derby, live music, giveaway prizes, autographs from Bass Pro finalists and more! The event is free to attend and will run from 1:00pm - 5:30pm each day.
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UCF Men's Basketball will look to bounce back from its loss to Cincinnati Wednesday night as the team now travels to Waco, TX to face Baylor this Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2:00pm. The Knights (13-9, 4-7 Big 12) are currently averaging 79.8 points per game on 42.2% shooting.
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Osceola Magic two-way guard Mac McClung will take flight in the 2025 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Chase Center in San Francisco. McClung is the two-time reigning AT&T Slam Dunk champion after winning in 2023 and 2024. The Texas Tech product will look to become the first three-peat dunk contest winner in NBA history.
- Join the Orlando Valkyries this Sunday, Feb. 8 at 7:00pm for “College & Alumni Night,” inviting fans to come out and represent their favorite colleges as the Valkyries host the newest professional volleyball team, the Indy Ignite. Guests can enjoy fun-filled halftime festivities such as cornhole and Volley pong, where fans have the chance to be selected to participate and win prizes! The first 500 fans will receive a blue Valkyries themed koozie.
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UCF Football has released its 2025 schedule following a Big 12 Conference announcement on Tuesday, Feb. 4. The slate features seven home games, including four conference matchups, five road contests, and three nonconference battles at FBC Mortgage Stadium. | |
FIFA is looking for passionate and dedicated volunteers to be the friendly faces on the ground this summer during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup! Don't miss your chance to be part of this historic event - learn more at the link below and fill out your application today to volunteer at the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. | |
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Around Town.
- The City of Orlando officially launched its year-long celebration marking Orlando's 150th anniversary with a special event at City Commons Plaza where Mayor Buddy Dyer, alongside city officials and community partners, unveiled a commemorative banner to kick off the festivities. In his remarks, Mayor Dyer highlighted various events planned throughout the year, with a grand celebration set for July 31, the city's official birthday.
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The Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee has finalized a conceptual design for the future Pulse Memorial after a seven-month process that included community feedback and design-brainstorm sessions. The final design concept reflects input from the committee, and feedback received from victims’ families, survivors and community members.
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Orange County Government, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, has launched the first Financial Empowerment Center in the state of Florida, offering free, one-on-one financial counseling to all Orange County residents. This program is designed to help provide the tools necessary to navigate financial challenges and achieve your unique financial goals.
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Addition Financial Arena, located on the University of Central Florida campus, recorded one of the most successful years in its history highlighted by impressive attendance milestones and record-breaking shows. In 2024, the arena welcomed 533,884 visitors to 297 events, including 80 ticketed events and countless graduations and commencements. With ticket sales in excess of $6.6 million, Addition Financial Arena reached notable standing as compared to entertainment industry magazine Pollstar’s year-end rankings.
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The City of Orlando has decided to extend its Park DTO program through 2025 in an effort to support local business and increase foot traffic downtown. The program offers free two-hour parking at all metered and non-metered parking spaces downtown through the city's ParkMobile application. Once you've downloaded the application, enter "ParkDTO" to claim free parking at your preferred parking space.
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Orlando lawmakers have proposed a new state grant program to help small businesses who are negatively affected by local or state government construction projects. Under the proposal, small businesses of up to 50 employees whose primary access points are obstructed by government construction activities directly adjacent to or in front of the business would be eligible for assistance. The proposal was filed for consideration during the regular 60-day state legislative session that begins March 4.
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Full Sail University has announced that three graduates, Dominique Jones, Colin Leonard, and Stuart White, won Grammy Awards of their own this year. Additionally, 19 alumni were credited on 13 Grammy-winning projects across 15 categories. Leonard and White received their awards for work done on Beyonce's 'Cowboy Carter' album, and Jones won her Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album - Heart of a Human by DOE.
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Tickets are on sale for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group stage matches coming to Orlando next summer! Both Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium will host two group stage matches, beginning on June 17 with the last match on June 26. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to see soccer's biggest stars right here in town, click the link below to purchase tickets today! | |
The NWSL Champion Orlando Pride will host the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Challenge Cup on March 7, 2025 at Inter&Co Stadium! Due to the Orlando Pride claiming both the regular season and playoff titles in 2024, the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup will serve as a rematch of the 2024 NWSL Championship between the Pride and the Washington Spirit. Click the link below to secure your tickets today! | |
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All Around.
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Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnival has begun at its Universal Studios theme park and will continue until Mar. 30. Concerts are held on select nights following the park's nightly Mardi Gras parade, which features six new floats this year as well as the traditional bead tossing. The concerts, which are included with Universal admission, are held at the park’s Music Plaza Stage.
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The Epcot International Festival of the Arts continues at Walt Disney World as the festival showcases visual, theatrical and culinary arts for theme park visitors. New this year, the "Once Upon A Stage: Celebrating 30 Years of Disney on Broadway" walk-through exhibit features costumes, set models and behind-the-scenes items from their stage productions. The festival runs daily through Feb. 24 and the exhibit is located in the new CommuniCore Hall.
- Embark on a culinary experience like no other at SeaWorld Orlando's Seven Seas Food Festival. Running on select dates from now until May 4, guests can enjoy over 190 dishes inspired by various global cuisine. SeaWorld also hosts live concerts throughout the festival, with headlining concerts every Saturday, and additional performances on select Fridays and Sundays.
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MegaCon Orlando returns to Central Florida this weekend, Feb. 6-9, at the Orange County Convention Center. The convention gathers an estimated 160,000 fans, bringing with them a larger-than-life celebration of pop culture, anime, sci-fi, horror, comics and gaming. Tickets cost $149 for a four-day pass and between $53-$71 for a single-day ticket.
- The LOVE ORL mural exhibit is now on display at the CityArts Gallery in downtown Orlando! The towering 8-foot-tall murals represent the heart and diversity of Orlando, bringing art to life through the eyes of both professional artists and passionate residents. This collection was previously in the Pine Street Park as an outdoors gallery for "DTO LIVE!".
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Join the Orlando Solar Bears on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 3:00pm - 5:30pm for its Career Fair at the Kia Center. For just $20, bring your resume and connect with partners, sports organizations, and hear from a panel of industry leaders. The Career Fair will be followed by a 30-minute Happy Hour and the Solar Bears vs. Jacksonville Icemen game at 7:00pm.
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Art After Dark is returning to the Downtown Arts District on Saturday, Mar. 8 from 7:00 - 10:00pm, promising an unforgettable evening of art, culture, and live entertainment perfect for young professionals and the young at heart. Guests can enjoy live music and explore CityArts’ seven stunning galleries and café, each featuring brand-new works by talented Orlando artists.
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Addition Financial Arena has announced the 12th annual Touch-A-Truck will commence on Saturday, Mar. 8 from 12:00pm - 3:00pm. Touch-A-Truck offers children the chance to discover more about their favorite trucks and vehicles they encounter every day. Featured vehicles at the event will include emergency response vehicles, construction trucks, off-road vehicles and more.
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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.
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Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.
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GO Sports Executive VP Brent Nelson attended the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium, pictured with Sean Leyh (Hilton Orlando) and Richard Hess (Hilton Orlando). | |
GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Executive VPs Michael Kalinich and Brent Nelson attended the Stadium Club at Caribe Royale, pictured with board member John Troutt (Stadium Club). | |
GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen and Past Chair Sharon Line Clary (AdventHealth) attended Leadership Seminole, pictured with James Sang Lee (4-time Martial Arts World Champion), Dr. Jason Allen (USTA), Betsy Hughes (Track Shack) and Kyle Bono (Lake Mary Little League). | |
GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Executive VPs Michael Kalinich and Brent Nelson attended the CFHLA State of Hospitality & Tourism, pictured with board member Chris Mueller (Hilton Orlando). | |
GO Sports Executive VP Michael Kalinich enjoyed some hot dogs with our new corporate partner Portillo's, pictured with Mike Peterson (Portillo's Hot Dogs, LLC). | |
GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the CFHLA State of Hospitality & Tourism at Caribe Royale, pictured with Cynthia Mejia (UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management). | |
Robert Stuart (GrayRobinson) and his daughter attended the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. | |
GO Sports Associate VP Chase DeMayo and Director Jordan Lyda attended the Crowne Plaza Downtown Orlando ribbon-cutting ceremony, pictured with board member John Lyon (Crowne Plaza). | |
Corporate Partner Spotlight. | |
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GO Sports is proud to welcome our newest corporate partners, Empire Coach Line and Portillo's! For more information, click the logos above.
Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!
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