American Magic has the most active support from their yacht club. New York Yacht Club commodores Paul Zabetakis, Bill Ketcham and Phil Lotz are all members of the team's board. Principals Hap Fauth and Doug DeVos are long-time NYYC members. The yacht AMERICA won the Royal Yacht Squadron £100 Cup in 1851. The yacht MAGIC was the first Defender, in 1870. The team takes its name from those two historic yachts.