Orlando Magic CEO Bob Vander Weide is abruptly stepping down after 19 years with the organization, as Orlando's WKMG news station first reported. The team has called a news conference for Wednesday with Vander Weide, President of Basketball Operations Otis Smith, President Alex Martins, and Dan DeVos scheduled to attend. The team will promote Martins to Vander Weide's position.
Vander Weide told David Baumann of Bright House Sports Network he indeed called Magic center Dwight Howard a few nights ago after having "a couple of glasses of wine" with his friends. "Vander Weide told Howard how much the Magic wanted to keep him in Orlando," according to Baumann, whose report confirmed an earlier rumor from Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM. Howard can become a free agent in 2012 and Orlando is making a push to keep him.
The son-in-law of Magic owner Rich DeVos, Vander Weide served as the Magic's representative in the latest collective bargaining agreement talks.
For more Magic coverage, please visit Orlando Pinstriped Post, SB Nation's Magic blog.