Orlando Magic, Miami Heat Heading to Puerto Rico for Preseason Action

The Orlando Magic and Miami Heat will tip off NBA preseason action in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on October 4 at Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, the first NBA action in the country since 2006.

The activation expands on the Magic’s 2023 partnership with Universidad Ana G. Méndez from Central Florida to include the Puerto Rican market, a then first for any NBA team. The initial partnership included a basketball clinic for local youth in Puerto Rico and the two partners have since offered additional clinics and promotions in the Puerto Rico.

“We are incredibly excited to (play in Puerto Rico),” said Magic Managing Director Ryan DeVos during a joint press conference with the Heat. “We look at Puerto Rico as a continuation of our market. We’ve got a fantastic Puerto Rican (fan)base in Central Florida and we’re really excited to be part of (this matchup).”

The Magic’s fanbase in Puerto Rico has been strong since 2006 when the franchise traded for Carlos Arroyo, a Puerto Rico native and member of the Puerto Rican national team.

“We’ve been very active in the Puerto Rican market over the last seven years through our partners in (Universidad Ana G. Méndez) as well as the Puerto Rican Tourism Company,” DeVos said. “We really value those relationships to be able to bring clinics to the youth down there and really just be able to show off the NBA game and the Orlando Magic to Puerto Rico.”

The connection between the Miami Heat and Puerto Rico also runs deep. The franchise first played on the island in 1993 and has participated in every NBA game held in Puerto Rico (1994, 2003, 2005, and 2006). Former Heat NBA players including Mario Chalmers, Michael Beasley, Hassan Whiteside, Norris Cole and Arroyo have all played in the local Baloncesto Superior Nacional league.