Never Before Seen Video Takes Fans Into Closed Door Meetings & Private Workouts
Sunshine Network to Air Documentary-Style Special on the Orlando Magic’s Makeover
ORLANDO – How would fans like to sit in on the key strategy meetings which led to the Orlando Magic’s selection of high school star Dwight Howard over college All-American Emeka Okafor? What went on in the Magic draft headquarters which led to Orlando securing a second, first-round pick and the acquisition of College Player of the Year Jameer Nelson? How about the blockbuster deal which sent two-time NBA scoring champion Tracy McGrady to Houston?
In a one-of-a-kind, behind-the-scenes television special, Sunshine Network takes viewers behind closed doors with unparalleled access to the inner workings of an NBA team. Paul Kennedy, part of Sunshine’s Magic telecast team, hosts UNDER THE LIGHTS: MAGIC MAKEOVER, a 60-minute documentary-style video which chronicles the Orlando Magic’s summer of 2004. The episode premieres Saturday, September 18, at 6 p.m. to Sunshine’s 6.1 million viewers statewide with several replays scheduled through late October.
Coming off an NBA-worst 21-61 season, Orlando entered the off-season with 10 guaranteed contracts and no significant salary cap room. Not much Magic.
Enter new General Manager John Weisbrod. Drafted by Herb Brooks of “Miracle on Ice” fame, and trained under Lou Lamoriello, who turned around the New Jersey Nets, Weisbrod has won at every level in which he has competed – most notably an NCAA Championship as a Harvard hockey player and crowns in the American and International Hockey Leagues as a GM.
In UNDER THE LIGHTS: MAGIC MAKEOVER you can get inside the head of Weisbrod, see back-and-forth discussions involving Director of Player Personnel Dave Twardzik, Director of Player Development Otis Smith and Head Coach Johnny Davis, and get an exclusive update/interview from Grant Hill.
“Winning is an uncommon thing,” says Weisbrod. “You need to cultivate an environment where the name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back.”
The acclaimed series UNDER THE LIGHTS draws upon Sunshine’s longstanding television partnerships with many of the state’s professional and collegiate teams providing viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at some of Florida’s top sports stories and newsmakers away from the playing fields. Given unparalleled access by the schools, coaches and teams, the series allows viewers to witness preparations rarely seen by anyone outside the teams/programs. Cameras capture practices and team meetings, among other events, where viewers hear strategy and planning usually reserved for only the participants, plus segments from inside their homes, on campus and in the community.
UNDER THE LIGHTS: MAGIC MAKEOVER will air replays Sept. 26, at 4 p.m., Sept. 28, at 9 p.m. and Oct. 7, at Noon & 9 p.m. Additional replays are scheduled in October: Sun 10/10 at 1pm, Wed 10/13 at 3pm, Wed 10/13 at 7:30pm, Fri 10/15 at 7pm, and Sunday 10/17 at 4pm.
In a one-of-a-kind, behind-the-scenes television special, Sunshine Network takes viewers behind closed doors with unparalleled access to the inner workings of an NBA team. Paul Kennedy, part of Sunshine’s Magic telecast team, hosts UNDER THE LIGHTS: MAGIC MAKEOVER, a 60-minute documentary-style video which chronicles the Orlando Magic’s summer of 2004. The episode premieres Saturday, September 18, at 6 p.m. to Sunshine’s 6.1 million viewers statewide with several replays scheduled through late October.
Coming off an NBA-worst 21-61 season, Orlando entered the off-season with 10 guaranteed contracts and no significant salary cap room. Not much Magic.
Enter new General Manager John Weisbrod. Drafted by Herb Brooks of “Miracle on Ice” fame, and trained under Lou Lamoriello, who turned around the New Jersey Nets, Weisbrod has won at every level in which he has competed – most notably an NCAA Championship as a Harvard hockey player and crowns in the American and International Hockey Leagues as a GM.
In UNDER THE LIGHTS: MAGIC MAKEOVER you can get inside the head of Weisbrod, see back-and-forth discussions involving Director of Player Personnel Dave Twardzik, Director of Player Development Otis Smith and Head Coach Johnny Davis, and get an exclusive update/interview from Grant Hill.
“Winning is an uncommon thing,” says Weisbrod. “You need to cultivate an environment where the name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back.”
The acclaimed series UNDER THE LIGHTS draws upon Sunshine’s longstanding television partnerships with many of the state’s professional and collegiate teams providing viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at some of Florida’s top sports stories and newsmakers away from the playing fields. Given unparalleled access by the schools, coaches and teams, the series allows viewers to witness preparations rarely seen by anyone outside the teams/programs. Cameras capture practices and team meetings, among other events, where viewers hear strategy and planning usually reserved for only the participants, plus segments from inside their homes, on campus and in the community.
UNDER THE LIGHTS: MAGIC MAKEOVER will air replays Sept. 26, at 4 p.m., Sept. 28, at 9 p.m. and Oct. 7, at Noon & 9 p.m. Additional replays are scheduled in October: Sun 10/10 at 1pm, Wed 10/13 at 3pm, Wed 10/13 at 7:30pm, Fri 10/15 at 7pm, and Sunday 10/17 at 4pm.
