"I really did like their composure...The communication between each of the guys about where the matchups were, how we were guarding, the different situations we were gonna be in. I just think that they did a great job of listening and paying attention to what the coaches were saying, but also with communicating with one another."

-Jamahl Mosely

Orlando Magic Head Coach

Around The Horn.

• The Orlando Magic have won 13 of their past 15 games following a 106-102 road victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. Behind Franz Wagner's 35 points and a crucial closing stretch, the Magic have improved to 16-8 and currently sit in third place of the Eastern Conference. The Magic will play the 76ers once again this Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:00pm.
• The 2024 SPORTYS: Greater Orlando’s Night of Champions presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute aired last night on WKMG’s ClickOrlando.com. Viewers watched as 12 category winners were revealed from a field of 68 finalists. GO Sports also hosted an in-person Watch Party and Sports Industry Reception, sponsored by AAU, at the Orlando Museum of Art to coincide with the broadcast. Click here for the complete list of winners.
• The Orlando Pride are NWSL Champions! Congratulations to our hometown Pride for defeating the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday, Nov. 23 and claiming the club's first championship. The Pride are the first team since 2019 to win the Shield and the title in the same year.
• Orlando City SC's historic postseason run came to an end Saturday night as the club fell 1-0 to NY Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. Oscar Pareja, who became Orlando City’s manager in 2019, led the club to its first conference championship match. The Lions now rest in the offseason ahead of its FC Series match against Atletico on Jan. 25, 2025 at Inter&Co Stadium.
• UCF Basketball continues its strong start to the season following a 74-59 home victory over CA Baptist. The Knights (6-2) are led by guards Darius Johnson and Jordan Ivy-Curry, both averaging 16 points per game. UCF will look to keep the ball rolling as they host Tarleton State at Addition Financial Arena this Sunday, Dec. 8 at 1:00pm.
• UCF Football head coach Gus Malzahn announced his resignation Tuesday night following the Knights' 4-8 campaign in its second year in the Big 12 Conference. Malzahn is set to become offensive coordinator at Florida State, and the Knights now begin their search for a new team leader.
• GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen recently interviewed Sharieffa Barksdale, USA Track & Field Senior Manager of Alumni Relations. Sharieffa was a 1984 Olympian in the 400-meter hurdles and 1983 USA 400-meter hurdles Gold Medalist, and at the University of Tennessee, she was a 12-time All-American and 5-time NCAA Champion. 
• The Orlando Solar Bears took three of six points last week during a three game homestand that saw a 5-2 win over Savannah, a 2-1 overtime loss to Jacksonville, and a 5-1 defeat Sunday to South Carolina. Orlando plays the next four games on the road before returning home to host the Florida Everblades on Friday, Dec. 13 at Kia Center.
• Join the Osceola Magic next Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7:00pm as the team is set to host the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at Silver Spurs Arena in Osceola Heritage Park. The Magic are celebrating its mascot Swish's birthday with a special giveaway item to those in attendance.
• The Pro Volleyball Federation held the league’s second annual collegiate player draft, and the Orlando Valkyries were the third overall selection. The team added five players to the training camp roster who will now compete for their spot on the 2025 roster. The Valkyries will begin training camp next week on Monday, Dec. 2, and the final active roster for the 2025 season will be made up of 14 players.

The 2024 NBA G League Winter Showcase returns to Orlando from December 19-22 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando and Orange County Convention Center!

New this year, the NBA G League will host “Winter Showcase Fan Day” on Saturday, December 21, inviting fans to attend all eight games and enjoy family-friendly activities like interactive photo opportunities and chances to practice your basketball skills and drills. Tickets are selling fast, click the link below to secure yours today!

In The News.

• Osceola County Commissioners approved a pair of projects earlier this week that could transform the surrounding areas of Osceola Heritage Park. The county board voted unanimously to allow County Manager Don Fisher to begin negotiations with the Wilf family, owners of the Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride, for Project Next, a multi-phased, $981 million mixed-use development at OHP anchored by team headquarters and training facilities for the men’s and women’s teams.
• Orange County Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with the City of Orlando that will provide funding to update and enhance both Camping World Stadium and Kia Center. Funding for the $626 million project is generated by future tourist tax revenues through a 6% surcharge on hotel rooms and short-term lodging in Orange County. $400 million of the funding will be allocated for the stadium, and the arena will receive $226 million over the next 10 years.
• The Orlando Economic Partnership received a $250,000 Defense Reinvestment Grant from Florida Commerce and the Florida government to support the growth of the defense simulation sector. Orlando’s status as the modeling, simulation and training capital is driven by local companies securing military contracts. The grant will help safeguard the industry, diversify the economy, and promote innovation in military technology.
• Nemours Children's Hospital, one of the nation's largest multistate pediatric health systems, has announced its plans to invest $2.5 million in pediatric nursing education, training, innovation and research at UCF's Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion. Nursing faculty members will collaborate with colleagues across UCF’s healthcare disciplines on research to innovate pediatric education and improve the health of children.
• JPMorgan Chase & Co. will add hundreds of jobs in Orlando and renovate its office building near Lake Mary, according to Orlando Business Journal. The financial services firm announced it will add more than 300 new jobs in Central Florida over the next two years, and will enhance its office which serves as a center for Chase's consumer banking and card services businesses.
• WKMG News 6 once again teamed up with The Salvation Army for "Giving Tuesday" to help those in need. WKMG hosted a phone bank from 5am - 7pm, where viewers could donate to the Angel Tree program. With matching donations, the Salvation Army Giving Tuesday phone bank managed to raise $215,000, which is used to fulfill the wishes of angels who may not have been adopted or for supplemental gifts for angels who may need something special.
• The Orange County Mayor's Holiday Toy Drive is celebrating 14 years of giving back to the Central Florida community! Donate new, unwrapped toys or gifts for kids aged 18 and under at participating locations across Orange County, or contribute online by purchasing a gift through the virtual toy store.
• Avelo Airlines is expanding its service with a new destination available from Central Florida, according to Orlando Business Journal. The airline will launch service on April 3, 2025 to Charlotte's Concord-Padgett Regional Airport from Daytona Beach International Airport.

Stay Engaged.

• The Holiday Tribute Story this season at Universal Studios works with a pop-up book theme, featuring merchandise and photo opportunities revolving around “Hogsmeade for Christmas,” fiction out of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter; “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” from Dr. Seuss; and Earl the Squirrel, a pesky little holiday mascot that emerged out of the park itself. Holiday festivities run at Universal and Islands of Adventure through Dec. 31.
• Walt Disney World has shared additional details about previously announced attractions for 2025, including expanding names, storylines and timeframes. According to Disney's latest schedule, visitors will see two new shows, a fresh parade and a re-imagined ride. At Magic Kingdom, a parade now known as "Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away" will debut in the summer, and two new stage shows will be featured at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
• SeaWorld Orlando has confirmed that it is working with Mack Rides on a flying theater ride that would debut at the park next spring. The attraction, announced in September, is replacing the former Wild Arctic simulator, and will be the first "Airific" theater in the western hemisphere.
• The Holidays at Leu Gardens are recurring daily until Jan. 5, 2025, and is included with a general admission purchase. Step into a vibrant tapestry of color and cheer at the Gardens this holiday season, with enchanting displays of live plants. Thousands of dazzling poinsettias along with seasonal flowers will ignite the spirit of the season as you meander through the 50 acres of curated vignettes and container gardens.
• Enjoy a live performance of scenes from the classic ballet The Nutcracker, presented by the Central Florida Ballet. The event will take place at 2:00pm this Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Orlando Public Library, and admission is free.
• Holiday magic awaits the whole family at the seventh annual "Oh, What Fun!" Holiday Festival at Lake Nona Town Center on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 6-22. Watch as the town center transforms into a winter wonderland with a calendar full of celebrations and events.
• 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 Executive VP Jennifer Lastik attended the WISE Holiday Party, pictured with members of WISE Greater Orlando.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the Orlando Pride's NWSL Championship Parade, pictured with board member Chris Mueller (Hilton Orlando) and Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson (District 1).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel at the 2024 SPORTYS: Greater Orlando's Night of Champions at Orlando Museum of Art, pictured with GO Sports Chairman Sharon Line Clary (AdventHealth) and Chair Elect Caesar Lopez (Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the Orlando Pride's NWSL Championship Parade, pictured with Seminole County Commissioners Lee Constantine (District 3) and Andria Herr (District 5).

The GO Sports team pictured with the Orlando Pride's NWSL Shield and Championship Trophy at the 2024 SPORTYS: Greater Orlando's Night of Champions at Orlando Museum of Art.

Corporate Partner Spotlight.

GO Sports is proud to welcome our newest corporate partner, Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista! For more information, click the logo above.

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.

• What's Happening: Orange County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Seminole County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Osceola County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Lake County Things To Do