Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel reports: An interesting name -- and a topic sure to be discussed at length at the NBA offices in New York -- has emerged from the move by owner Rich DeVos to sell the Orlando Magic.

Edward DeBartolo Jr., who once owned and led the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl prominence, is among the short list of candidates with enough interest and financial clout to buy the franchise.

What should make him even more intriguing is the fact that his DeBartolo Property Group -- originally based in Youngstown, Ohio -- has a major corporate office in Tampa.

DeBartolo, who has built shopping malls throughout the country, has been itching for a return to professional sports since leaving the NFL in 2000. His sister, Denise DeBartolo York, took over the 49ers after his name surfaced in connection with a Louisiana casino scandal.

Magic President Bob Vander Weide would not discuss any prospective Magic buyers, but two sources within the NBA did confirm DeBartolo's interest. DeBartolo wasn't available for comment Sunday.

"He's very serious," said one of those sources.

There already is speculation that he would move the Magic to Tampa to play in the ready-for-the-NBA Ice Palace.