Shaquille O’Neal, Grant Hill Discuss Buying Orlando Magic

Shaquille O’Neal and Grant Hill want to buy the Orlando Magic.

Not right now. Shaq has two seasons on his deal, won’t walk away from $20 million per and may play beyond that, contrary to previous reports that 2009-10 is definitely his last season. Hill is in a contract year and interested in returning. He may not be done for a while, either.

But the Suns teammates are serious about this. At some point – probably soon after they retire – O’Neal and Hill, former Magic players who still make their permanent homes in a mega-money Orlando enclave, will talk with executives to see if the team is available.

How serious?

They have already talked about it together, a lot. They have already made their feelings known to CEO and president Bob Vander Weide, the son-in-law of owner Rich DeVos. They have, both report independently, already lined up additional investors.

If DeVos is open to discussing a sale, Hill and O’Neal want to be first in line. If not, the partnership will consider other teams.

- Scott Howard-Cooper, Sac Bee