• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

How the Orlando Magic Approached the Safe Return to Sports

  • AdventHealth works with the Magic to keep players, and eventually fans, safe.
  • The NBA is finalizing its plans for the 2020-21 regular season as the league evaluate the safety of home court play and team travel.
orlando magic
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In Orlando, the health of every NBA athlete, trainer, coach and staff member was closely monitored inside the NBA bubble. 

AdventHealth, the official health care provider of the Orlando Magic, played a major part in this process, advising Magic team staff and providing guidance throughout the playoffs.  

Here’s a closer look at just how the Magic kept their team members safe.

To prepare for entry to ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex, each Magic team member began a mandated 48-hour, in-room quarantine which included two COVID-19 tests and meal delivery. When their health was cleared, players and team staff were given a Disney MagicBand, which theme park guests in the thousands use for entry into the parks and other touchless transactions. Players and team personnel also used them for entry into secure facilities and for cashless payments.

Upon entry into the bubble, players, coaches and staff enlisted the combined support of wearable tech devices to monitor their health and wellness. The Oura ring — a health monitoring device that tracks things like pulse, movement and temperature — was used to track wellness data. Kinexon supplied SmartZone SafeTag sensor technology — wearable proximity alarms — that alerted staff when they were not adhering to social distancing guidelines. Finally, the Disney MagicBand was used to monitor NBA players and staff as they crossed various checkpoints within the bubble. Hotel rooms were also equipped with thermometers and fingertip pulse oximeters. 

“The NBA covered all aspects including mental health wellness services,” said Alex Martins, Orlando Magic CEO. “The league implemented strict rules for everyone’s health and safety and it was mandatory that everyone stayed on the campus.”

According to Martins, other amenities included a team meal room with team chef, training room, meeting room, game room, weight room, resort pool, personal laundry, barbers, mani/pedis, fishing, bowling and golf. For mental and physical health, there was yoga, meditation and virtual exercise programming. 

As the players began their training regimens to prepare for competition, and once they began tournament play, their health was closely monitored with daily temperature checks and symptom assessments. All team staff maintained strict adherence to scheduled times inside the gym. Frequent COVID testing was performed by AdventHealth following CDC and Florida Department of Health guidelines.  

“We were proud to support the Orlando Magic players and travel team as they relocated to the Disney hotels and navigated the protocols of the bubble on and off the court through their playoff run,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, senior vice president and chief quality and safety officer for AdventHealth. “It was truly a team effort.”

So, what’s next?

The NBA is finalizing their plans for the 2020-21 regular season as they evaluate the safety of home court play and team travel. AdventHealth will continue to work closely with the Orlando Magic to maintain health and safety protocols for all games in Orlando and on the road. When fans are welcomed back to the Amway Center, they will be cared for under a strict and comprehensive health and safety plan, consistent with NBA guidance and careful review and approval by the Florida Department of Health.

“The health and safety of our fans, employees, players and partners is our top priority,” said Martins. “We will continue to work with the experts from AdventHealth and all of our local, state and federal health experts and officials as we continue to plan for a safe return at some point in the future. We will ensure that Amway Center is a safe environment — not just to keep our fans safe — but also to make them comfortable that they are safe.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Adam Silver Walks Back Claim He’d Never Heard of Aspiration

Adam Silver spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit.

Amazon Sports Chief Says NBA, WNBA Coverage Should Be Celebratory

“There’s too much weird negativity out there,” Jay Marine told FOS.
Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley Says TNT Sports ‘Just Sucks.’ Its CEO Doesn’t Mind

Barkley recently criticized TNT’s handling of “Inside the NBA.”
Apr 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Rayan Rupert (21) shoots a jump shot during the second half against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) at Moda Center.

Trail Blazers Sale and Ownership Group Finalized, Now Awaiting NBA Approval

Dundon’s ownership group also includes the founders of Panda Express.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sponsored

Game the Green: Transforming Fan Experiences at TPC Sawgrass

As fans gather at THE PLAYERS Championship, Comcast Business will be keeping spectators and the PGA TOUR connected like never before.
Sponsored

How Sportradar and the NBA Are Shaping the Future of Immersive Fan..

By transforming raw data into tailored, interactive content, Sportradar helps turn the NBA’s enormous fanbase into active participants.
February 3, 2025

Super Bowl Ticket Prices Crash As Hotel Rooms See Historic Rate Hike

Prices sink by about 30%, due in part to a lodging crunch.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
October 8, 2024

NBA GMs Rank Salary-Cap Apron As Rule That Needs to Change Most

Schedule changes finished second with 17% of the vote.
Sponsored

Trend Report: Chiefs-Chargers, Tobacco Road Rivalry, Nebraska Sellout Streak

According to data from TickPick, some games this week will prove to be wallet-busters, climbing into the four figures.
September 8, 2024

US Open Breaks Attendance Record

Top-seeded Jannik Sinner beat No. 12 Taylor Fritz in straight sets Sunday.
Sponsored

Mastercard’s Foodies & Fairways: Where Golf Meets Gourmet at the TOUR Championship

This year’s TOUR Championship in Atlanta isn’t just about world-class golf—it’s also a celebration of local flavors.