ORLANDO — David Steele, the only play-by-play voice the Orlando Magic have ever known, announced his retirement after 37 seasons with the franchise, ending a run that began with the team’s inaugural season in 1989.

“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 handled radio play-by-play duties for the team’s first nine seasons from 1989 to 1998 before being named the television play-by-play voice in March 1998, a role he held for 28 seasons. A Jacksonville native, Steele was named Florida Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association twice — in 2009 and 2021 — and was the eighth person inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame in February 2019.

“You can’t have a memory of Orlando Magic basketball without David Steele’s voice being a part of it,” said Orlando Magic Chairman Dan DeVos. “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.”

Steele’s broadcasting career began in 1975 as sports director at WJHG-TV in Panama City, Fla. He later served as sports director at WLOS-TV in Asheville, N.C., and as football and basketball play-by-play announcer at Western Carolina University before becoming the voice of the University of Florida for seven seasons. He earned the Ray Reeve Award as TV Sportscaster of the Year in North Carolina in 1980 and won the Best Play-By-Play in Florida award from the Florida Sportscasters Association in 1984. He and his wife, Sally, reside in Orlando and have three children and eight grandchildren.

The Magic named Dante Marchitelli as Steele’s successor. Marchitelli enters his 28th season with the organization, having started as a radio intern in 1998 before being hired full-time as radio producer in January 2000. He has served as studio host and sideline reporter since 2008, was named assistant director of broadcasting in July 2017, and was promoted to director of broadcasting and alumni relations in July 2023. He has performed play-by-play duties for select games over the last three seasons from 2023 to 2026.

“I am beyond grateful to the DeVos family and the Orlando Magic organization for this wonderful opportunity,” said Marchitelli. “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.”

A native of Woburn, Mass., and a Liberty University graduate, Marchitelli resides in Windermere with his wife, Lana, and their two daughters, Olivia and Allison. The Magic said they will announce full broadcast plans for the 2026-27 season in the near future.