Ex-Orlando Magic CEO Denies Drunk-Dialing Star
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Orlando Magic CEO Bob Vander Weide denied he was stepping down today because of an alleged drunk dial he made to the team’s star center Dwight Howard, begging him to stay on the team for another year.
Vander Weide, 50,declined to address the specifics of his conversation, but was adamant that he was not intoxicated.
“I had two, maybe three glasses of wine over three hours,” Vander Weide said. “I was not drunk.” He added that he’s leaving to spend more time with his family.
The 21-year Magic employee, who is married to owner Rich DeVos’ daughter, said he was playing paddle ball with friends a few days ago and thought it “prudent” to return several calls and texts Howard had sent him.
“Maybe Dwight thought it was inappropriate to talk business after a couple of glasses of wine…Maybe I should have waited until the morning,” Vander Weide told the Bright House Sports Network.
Howard, 25, is reportedly weighing his options for next season.
“We think this is the right place for Dwight and we’ll do everything to prove that to him,” team owner Rich DeVos said.
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Funny thing was when local ABC reporter quoted Deadspin.com’s spoof of the phone call. She quoted the satirical version of the phone call in an accusatory line of questions. She must have thought it was a legit transcript of the call. Easy mistake, I always go to Deadspin for my news.
Posted by: Lou | December 7, 2011, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
Great work, ABC! Dwight is not going to be a FA until next summer. The owner was concerned that Dwight Howard was going to demand a trade, in which he did.
Posted by: Nick | December 10, 2011, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm