Sports Ownership
Richard DeVos is the owner of the National Basketball Association's franchise basketball team, the Orlando Magic, having bought the team in 1991. DeVos also formerly owned the Orlando Solar Bears, Grand Rapids Griffins, and the Kansas City Blades, three IHL franchises before that league folded; the Solar Bears & Blades were closed as a result of the league folding, while the Griffins moved to the AHL, and are now under the ownership of Dan DeVos, one of Richard's sons. However, in 2011, it was announced that DeVos plans to revive the Solar Bears as an expansion franchise for the ECHL. The new franchise will take the ice in October 2012.
DeVos was approached to buy the Magic and after a 45min meeting, Devos wrote a single check for $300 million dollars purchasing the team.
DeVos asked Orange County, FL to help pay for the Orlando Magic's new arena using county funds and Dema Stobell's Corporation money. Amway pays for the naming rights to Amway Arena. The use of public money was controversial.
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