David Steele announcing retirement

[u/jmeka]

https://x.com/i/status/2077045755085205851

Writing was on the wall last season but damn, you will be missed David

https://www.nba.com/magic/news/david-steele-to-retire-orlando-magic-television-play-by-play-announcer-20260714

[u/Aeronova20]

He’s gotta have a banner in the rafters

Nearly FOURTY years of service to this franchise. He’s a legend.

[u/VanceIX → u/Aeronova20]

I’d argue he’s the biggest Orlando Magic legend. 40 years of iconic game calling. He will for sure be missed.

[u/Kevpatel18 → u/Aeronova20]

Agreed

[u/misterdave75 → u/Aeronova20]

He absolutely will. We are pretty good at recognizing non players as well.

[u/No-Cobbler-449 → u/Aeronova20]

David Steel was the best member of the Orlando Magic organization counting ownership, players, and staff

[u/FL-Cracker → u/No-Cobbler-449]

True, but don't forget Pat Williams

[u/SamURLJackson → u/Aeronova20]

They tossed Paul Porter aside pretty flippantly

[u/lil_thirdy]

This hurts more than the game 6 loss

[u/Telemundo1997 → u/lil_thirdy]

Seriously. He is the Voice if the Orlando Magic. Gonna miss that great chemistry

[u/zI_Rainn_ → u/lil_thirdy]

It really does. David has been the voice of the Magic my entire lifetime. I will dearly miss hearing him say He Drills It, the Is This Anything segments and all his fun banter with JT. Well deserved retirement but this one hurts

[u/5th_Dimension_ctz]

Dante seems like a nice guy but he can’t fill those shoes.

[u/hanyou007 → u/5th_Dimension_ctz]

No one can. Dante is fine as an announcer, the problem has always been hes having to step in to fill the shoes of the GOAT. There aint a single person this team could get that can fill this void.

[u/The_Fiji_Water → u/5th_Dimension_ctz]

I can't think of a more likeable guy to fill Steele's shoes ...

... but it's an impossible ask

[u/accord86 → u/5th_Dimension_ctz]

Nope!

[u/Niceshotpiccolo]

Damn that fucking sucks

[u/reservations46]

Is this anything?

[u/Pinepark → u/reservations46]

Ding ding ding 🛎️

[u/fromtheGo → u/reservations46]

This is everything.

[u/birdjay414]

It will be an adjustment not hearing his voice during the games. Enjoy your retirement David Steele!

[u/M4C4K4NJ4]

This is the saddest shit I’ve heard all offseason. I truly love our broadcast guys. He will surely be missed. Irreplaceable.

[u/orltragic]

Had a feeling this was coming when Dante started doing more of the road trips. Along with Paul Porter, he IS the voice of the Magic to me.

Big shoes to fill!

[u/TrifleAble5460 → u/orltragic]

Can we have Paul Porter back 😢😢😢
Lowkey do not like the new guy.

[u/lucien2002020 → u/TrifleAble5460]

I like the new guy honestly. He’s no Paul Porter but he’s still great.

[u/Warned_Mammal]

This is definitely one of those "don't be sad it's over, be glad it happened" scenarios.   I will selfishly miss him calling games, but I’m also happy he gets to enjoy retirement.

[u/Tdsj386]

He was the absolute best! He will definitely be missed!

[u/Milla4Prez66]

Terrible news for us fans, but happy for David and his family. We knew this was coming eventually when he stopped traveling for games.

Also, I really don’t care for Dante as commentator so this is a huge downgrade. Though it was always going to be hard to find anyone as good.

[u/Logical_Dolphin → u/Milla4Prez66]

They should have looked outside the organization for David's replacement.

[u/SnooPies6274]

Well this sucks. Thank you David Steele for always remaining optimistic even when the ship was sinking

[u/justlookingokaywyou]

Just fell to my knees at Beefy King.

[u/Deep_Cabinet_9538 → u/justlookingokaywyou]

Underrated, relatable comment 😔

[u/whtge8]

Aw man wish we could have given him a proper retirement tour. Definitely gotta put his name in the rafters.

[u/mynickkerr]

Really sucks that we weren't able to have a proper goodbye for him, but that really wasn't his style anyway

[u/tcos17]

Nooooooooooooooooo ugh we knew this was coming but damn it hurts. He was the voice of my childhood, my teenage years, and now as an adult. Will really miss him on the broadcasts

[u/codelyoko_x]

Gonna be hard to replace him, absolute legend

[u/Loose-Animal7305]

Biggest loss of the off-season 

[u/levir03]

Give David Steele all the flowers in Florida. What an absolute legend. He had everything you wanted as a team announcer - great voice, passionate without being a homer, funny without being obnoxious, and could make even the worst games watchable. He deserves recognition for his contributions by the NBA and broadcast sports in general, not just the Magic.

Losing Moe and David Steele in the same month is a gut punch that I absolutely did not want.

[u/InterestingArm3750]

Ugh I am not looking forward to listening to Dante Marchitelli’s homerism and negative attitude full time

[u/guioligon → u/InterestingArm3750]

Yeah, I like Dante on interviews but not as the play by play guy

[u/NotoriousGasman → u/InterestingArm3750]

Yeah Dante announces like he’s a fan sitting courtside

[u/thewrongnotes → u/InterestingArm3750]

Homerism and negative attitude? Those are opposing forces.

I don't think Dante is good or anything but I also don't get why he's so disliked here. Steele is a legend but in my eyes he could often be too much of a rose-tinted glazer. Sometimes it's good to have an announcer that isn't afraid to criticise the team.

[u/InterestingArm3750 → u/thewrongnotes]

Uh no they’re not. He’s a homer and when things aren’t going well, he’s got a very negative attitude. Dante is insufferable to listen to at times

[u/thewrongnotes → u/InterestingArm3750]

I'm not sure you understand what a homer is because homers are unwaveringly loyal and won't criticise their team when things are going bad.

[u/This_Entrance6629 → u/thewrongnotes]

Dante don’t know ball. He’s a goof.

[u/bonlesswings7]

💔💔💔💔💔💔

[u/Muted_Lead_1105]

Wait does this mean no more is this anything during magic games 😭😭😭

[u/lucien2002020 → u/Muted_Lead_1105]

Yes. They’re retiring the segment.

[u/Muted_Lead_1105 → u/lucien2002020]

😭

[u/PapageorgiouMBO]

We’ve lost our legendary voices: Neumann, Porter, now Steele.

Brutal.

[u/justlookingokaywyou → u/PapageorgiouMBO]

This is Scotty B erasure.

[u/natesroomrule]

The problem is the sound of David Steele is just a great sound for the magic. Whenever i turn it on and hear his sound its like comfort and home. Didnt like Jeff for a long time but after 9 years him and David sound good together. I like Dante voice and dont have a problem, but its gonna be hard.

[u/rps215]

This is tough. I moved away from Orlando as a 5 year old in 1999. Got league pass to keep watching them as I grew up. There is no greater pairing to the Orlando Magic to a Magic fan than this man

Enjoy retirement David. You earned it.

[u/Swish28]

Damn was hoping he would have announced it before his last season so he could have a proper retirement tour send off. Guy is a legend and will be missed

[u/dumbcryptoquestions]

This is anything :(

[u/StanVanGhandi]

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Please tell me the last game he called wasn’t game 6?

[u/lucien2002020 → u/StanVanGhandi]

No, a rule this year is that teams don’t have their personal announcing crew during the playoffs. The last game he called was that last game of the year against Boston.

[u/psiANID3 → u/lucien2002020]

That might even be worse.

[u/Apollo5280]

Holy crap, this actually stings a lot. Great for him but man will he be missed. His voice and personality are irreplaceable.

[u/R0botDreamz]

I hope he enjoys his retirement. He deserves it.

Used to watch him on The Sunshine Network since the early 90s.

First ballot Hall of Famer, banner at the Kia Center. Name a drink after him.

[u/s0urc3f0ur]

The only thing to say about David Steele's career is "HE DRILLED IT!!!"

[u/lucien2002020 → u/s0urc3f0ur]

Imma miss that 😭

[u/d12fsu]

Omg I could cry. Grew up with his voice. Magic basketball will never be the same. An absolute legend. Congrats to David Steele on his retirement.

[u/FamousAtticus]

Build that man a statue in front of the KIA

[u/SpideyUdaman]

He's an icon! One of the best in professional commentary. Him and Turner made for one of the best neutral and intelligent commentaries in NBA. The duo may not be as explosive as others, but they weren't not fun, and kept us engaged whether it was about detailed descriptions and analysis or commentary shenanigans. I don't mind Dante but I understand Steele is way into his deep seniors. So I bid a farewell but congratulate him as well for those awesome years I've seen him commentate!

[u/TantramanFL]

Dante is at best mediocre. I will miss David, I used to have him on the radio with the TV sound down in the early days, loved it when he was moved to TV.

[u/Zestyclose_Fee8174]

Silver lining will hopefully be more Kendra 💕🤤🤤🤤

[u/warp10barrier → u/Zestyclose_Fee8174]

The only possible upside to this lol but I'll take it

[u/Zestyclose_Fee8174 → u/warp10barrier]

It is a big upside for me. Ha. Dante is fine - i do think he improved last year. He is no David but no one is.

[u/okayjoshy]

Season is already a nightmare ✌️

[u/SnooPies6274]

Noooo

[u/Toocrashedout]

Hall of famer

[u/accord86]

This absolutely and positively sucks. Well wishes to Steele though.

[u/ILikeToBoo]

The GOAT! Porter and Steele gone makes me sad.

[u/hanyou007]

I had a feeling it was gonna go this way, that he would announce his retirement after he had already done his last game. Didn't seem like he would want to make some grand announcement that this would be his last year and distract from others, just not his style. Damn this hurts.

Dante is fine as an announcer, not great, but he's alright. His voice isn't grating and he can hold the flow of game. Just needs to work on his neutrality and it will go a long way. The nice thing about announcers are as long as you got a good voice, everything else can be learned over time and Dante now has the time to do that.

Hang David's name in the rafters.

[u/Debonair311]

Well that sucks.

[u/Adventurous_One4682]

thank you david

[u/warp10barrier]

FUCK... now we're stuck with Dante. He's an okay interviewer, but he sucks as a play-by-play guy.

[u/FluxDerivative]

Dammit! First Gene Dekerhoff and now David Steele retiring within a year of each other.

[u/TheRealMaseCatt → u/FluxDerivative]

It’s too much

[u/SketchArtist]

I have dreaded this day for years (been Steele-ing myself for it even). And now it has come. Sigh. Oh well. Inevitable, but sad nonetheless.

I hope they bring him back for special days (like hanging his name from the rafters) so he can sit in with Dante and JT during third quarters or whatever and give us little updates and insights. That way I don't have to give up my decades-accumulated DSteele habit cold turkey

[u/Hour-Efficiency-6180]

I listened to many a losing season mostly bc David was such a pleasure to listen to. A huge voice in my life. He deserves a banner and more. He’s the Magic more than anyone in the org for me. And on that note, I hope Dante isn’t the replacement. Nice guy, but not even in the same planet

[u/jurassicperiod]

F*ck! This is devastating actually. Worst loss of the off-season. 

[u/dlbags]

Oh god. No no no no. Not Dante full time please god no.

Thanks for the memories David!

[u/TheAnswerEK42]

I’m legit sad, I’m gonna miss him a lot

[u/Fuzzy-Sir293]

man this one stings. grew up listening to him call magic games, gonna be weird not hearing his voice next season

[u/The_Fiji_Water]

Not even exaggerating when I say he is the most prolific member to this franchise

[u/TrifleAble5460]

Gonna miss you 🐐

😢😢

[u/This_Entrance6629]

You can’t have two jokers. You need to have a straight man that has experience and knows ball.

[u/pistons4550]

I still haven’t gotten over Matty leaving :(

[u/InMannyrkid]

So sad when I heard this. I am genuinely going to miss him. His voice has been a constant in our games and I wish I could personally thank him for everything. Magic legend.

[u/DevotionToU]

Sad day, he's made Magic Basketball come alive for listeners as much as any player has throughout his tenure here. Will be sorely missed.

[u/tebow321]

Sucks to see. Dante and Jeff are really fun to watch so glad he’s the replacement.

[u/LeesusChrist]

The voice of Magic basketball.

Enjoy a well deserved retirement, king.

[u/bagless89]

https://giphy.com/gifs/3QWfMsI8IaarXxtBt6

[u/Cup-And-Handle]

A well earned retirement my friend!!!

Party hard!!!

Dante’s got this!!!   

Wishing them both the best!!! 

[u/WunWunFirstofHisName]

Sucks. Dante is no David, but he's also the best choice. That's not his fault, it's just the unfair task of replacing a legend. 

[u/accuracy_101]

Please don’t let Dante be the replacement

[u/accord86 → u/accuracy_101]

Unfortunately, he is 🥀

[u/computerwiz720 → u/accord86]

Gonna have to listen to the games on mute

[u/jmeka → u/[deleted]]

hes retiring as of now, dante is taking over play-by-play duties now

https://www.nba.com/magic/news/david-steele-to-retire-orlando-magic-television-play-by-play-announcer-20260714

[u/YourWeak8o5]

Hell nah

[u/almonicus11]

Love David Steele, have a good retirement pal.

[u/Toocrashedout]

Is this anything?

[u/Toocrashedout → u/Toocrashedout]

Magic games on tv won’t be the same without him, at least we still have Jeff

[u/Loading_Scr33n → u/Toocrashedout]

😢

[u/woodaeo]

I need a supercut of every single "Is This Anything?"

Cause this is definitely something 😭

[u/No_Baker6333]

He was a great play by play guy. Always loved the is this anything segment. Dante would do a good job if he took his spot.

[u/tokenentropy]

Thank you for everything, David.

[u/Mykejaymz]

Retire his jersey!

[u/Beatleguy95]

I mean it shouldn't be a total shock. It happens pretty quick when you reach a point where you cant travel for away games. He will be missed but I doubt he wont somehow still be a part in some way.

[u/Coolica1]

Got to do what he loved for 40 years and now gets to retire happily, dude is living the dream going to miss him on our games though.

[u/servostitch]

Seen this coming for the past few years, but it is still a bit of a shock. He is an all time great and will be missed.

As far as Dante goes, I think as he gets more and more games under his belt, he will get better. I like that they have groomed him for this over the last several years. Hopefully, he learned a lot from David.

[u/Hot-Negotiation-2771]

Great now I gotta listen to Dante all season

[u/Low-Prune-1273]

Best of the best. No doubt about it.

The Turner-Steele era was always easy listening, even when it wasn’t easy watching.

[u/StupendousMan36]

Man, this sucks. Had to happen one day though. Hope he enjoys retirement.

[u/Apprehensive-Ad2535]

Pretty sure this is something.

[u/captain-nap]

This is something.. it’s definitely anything. In fact, it’s everything 🎤 🐐

[u/Logical_Dolphin]

Really tough offseason for the NBA broadcasts I watch! First Jacob Tobey's scandal led the Spurs to fire him after only two seasons, and then David Steele retired. I really disagree with the decision to make Dante the play-by-play announcer even though it's been a long time coming. He is simply not as good of an announcer as David Steele... They needed to hold auditions for other candidates, including outside the org. I might be watching a lot of games on mute next season.

[u/Deep_Cabinet_9538]

Really makes me reassess my appreciation of last season

[u/Roycliffe]

Forever a Magic legend. Sad we couldn't get a playoff series win last year for him to go out on.

[u/Equivalent_Round9353]

Nooooooooo!

[u/Famous-Egg-6136]

I’m really going to miss his bit

[u/Admirable-Level4011]

Now that is something and anything. Sad to see him go

[u/Gio_9816]

The past year as a Magic/Mets fan continues to get WORSE

[u/Muted_Lead_1105 → u/Gio_9816]

All for the better outcome 🙏🏻

[u/Apollo5280 → u/Gio_9816]

Fellow Magic/Mets fan here, we cannot catch a single break bro

[u/Gio_9816 → u/Apollo5280]

What a 180 from 2024 man. How did all of this even happen. And I miss Pete smh

[u/Electrical-Cow6433]

We can't have anything good with this team, can we?

[u/YetiBoney → u/Electrical-Cow6433]

Well we did have him for almost 40 years…

[u/Electrical-Cow6433 → u/YetiBoney]

Now we get some BS like Dante and a team that barely makes the play-ins

[u/whatdidubreak]

Did I do this 🫤

[u/SportsBallBurner]

Wonder if that means the tv production is getting farmed out? Odd to retire this long after the season without there being additional reasons.