ORLANDO, Fla. — David Steele, who has called play-by-play for the Orlando Magic since the launch of the franchise in 1989, announced his retirement Tuesday, according to the Orlando Magic.

Steele started his career with the Magic 37 years ago as the radio voice of the Magic and moved to television in 1998, where he had broadcast games for 28 years.

“I can’t thank the DeVos family and the Orlando Magic organization enough for what they have provided to me and my family,” Steele said. “When I interviewed with Pat Williams back in 1988, I never dreamed it would play out this way. Now it is time for me to put the microphone down and spend time with my family. It’s been an honor to represent the Orlando Magic, and I am forever grateful.”

Steele knows all the history.

“You can’t have a memory of Orlando Magic basketball without David Steele’s voice being a part of it,” Orlando Magic Chairman Dan DeVos said. “David handled everything with professionalism and class, and he will forever be entrenched in this franchise’s history. ‘Is This Anything?’ We’d say David was everything to the Orlando Magic. We wish him and his family nothing but the best.”

“Is This Anything?” was a feature on game broadcasts when Steele would pool together interesting facts, statistics or trends involving the Magic and the NBA and ask whether they were significant to the game, season or sports history.

Steele, a member of the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame, also represented the team in various ancillary television and radio programming and served as emcee for many other organizational events.

While with the Magic, he was honored as Florida Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association in 2009 and 2021.

Before being hired by the Magic, he was the play-by-play announcer for the University of Florida football and basketball teams for seven seasons.

Members of the Magic’s 2025-26 broadcast team wearing ‘Is This Anything?’ T-shirts in tribute to retired play-by-play announcer David Steele’s game feature. From left, former Magic coach Brian Hill, Steele, sideline reporter Kendra Douglas, color analyst and former Magic forward Jeff Turner and new play-by-play announcer Dante Marchitelli. (Photo courtesy of Orlando Magic)

Another familiar face will take over television play-by-play for the Magic starting in the fall. Dante Marchitelli previously served as studio host/sideline announcer for the Magic since 2008, and he has performed play-by-play duties for select games during the 2023-26 seasons.

Marchitelli started his career with the team in 1998 as a radio intern and has also worked as a radio producer, radio manager, a radio sideline reporter, assistant director of broadcasting and director of broadcasting and alumni relations. He also has worked on a variety of ancillary television and radio programs and the team’s social media accounts.

“I am beyond grateful to the DeVos family and the Orlando Magic organization for this wonderful opportunity,” Marchitelli said. “Working with David Steele for the past 20 years has been the highlight of my career. He is an absolute legend, and I can’t thank him enough for everything he has taught me along the way. This is a dream come true, and I’m looking forward to continuing my connection with Orlando Magic fans everywhere.”

The Magic said they will announce plans for 2026-27 broadcasts in the near future.