Ian Somerhalder Looking for Teammates
Ian Somerhalder Looking for Teammates
While searching for a nice feel-good sports related story today, I came across some info on Paul Pierce fundraising via Crowdrise, but then soon found myself sidetracked by something better, Ian Somerhalder and his blue-eyes.
Best known for his role as Boone on ‘Lost’ and as Damon on The Vampire Diaries’ the actor apparently has a soft spot for sea turtles and the environment and has started his own movement on Crowdrise with the goal of raising funds to help develop youth based educational and support programs.
Additionally, on his Foundations website this week, Somerhalder issued a press release asking President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to deny the Keystone XL Pipeline Permit.
- The pipeline project, which would transport extremely toxic tar sands oil nearly 2,000 miles from Alberta, Canada through the middle of the U.S. heartland to the Texas Gulf coast for refining, has drawn criticism from environmental communities in both the US and Canada.
- “The proposed Keystone XL pipeline puts fish and wildlife at risk, threatens the health and livelihood of countless American farmers, and perpetuates the United States’ unhealthy dependence on oil,” says ISF founder Ian Somerhalder. “On behalf of myself, the IS Foundation, and the 22,000 people who have already signed our Stop the Tar Sands Oil Keystone XL Pipeline Petition, we strongly urge the Obama Administration to follow through on its promise to ‘end the age of oil in our time.’”
Granted, Somerhalder is not the only celebrity, athlete or activist to voice strong opposition to this ridiculous pipeline project but he got my attention after posting raw footage of NBA players scrambling during the lock-out
Without a doubt, one of the best celebrity foundation websites I’ve come across.
IS Foundation (ISF): Founded by actor and activist Ian Somerhalder, the IS Foundation aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures. ISF believes that the global problems and challenges we are facing are infinitely interconnected and co-dependent, therefore our solutions and actions must be enacted in an interconnected manner.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Celebrities & Charities: Inaugural Noble Humanitarian Awards
Inaugural Noble Humanitarian Awards
Finally, an awards show that doesn’t recognize how well you act but rather how well you act towards others…on October 18, 2009, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the charity community and its brigade of Hollywood supporters will gain global recognition when the inaugural Noble Humanitarian Awards takes place…The two-hour event, produced on behalf of the non-profit Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, seeks to annually honor up to a dozen charities and celebrities who actively support them, elevating awareness of these organizations and the impact of their work inaugural Noble Humanitarian Award.
Inaugural charity honorees include: The Art of Elysium, Best Buddies, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, DoSomething.org, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Keep a Child Alive, The Salvation Army, Stand Up To Cancer and Women’s Sports Foundation.
This is huge on so many levels…while we do have other ‘humanitarian’ awards out there that earn some media attention- this one isn’t going to fly under the radar. Think ESPY’s meet the OSCARS…it’s brilliant, and necessary…Celebrities will be accepting awards on behalf of the charities being honored…a few examples include: Laila Ali: Women’s Sports Foundation, Jessica Biel: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Alicia Keyes: Keep a Child Alive, Joel Madden: The Art of Elysium and Brett Ratner: DoSomething.org.
During the ceremony, each will be presented with the trophy award, designed by Antonio Banderas, with personal touches added by children who participated in The Art of Elysium workshop at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Other performers and presenters will be announced closer to the event.
Props to Janeen Mansour, the creator and executive producer of the Noble Humanitarian Awards. “Celebrities have long given their time to charity, championing causes they feel passionate about. Their support draws media coverage, and organizations benefit. With the Noble Awards, we aim to turn the spotlight back onto these celebrities and charities in an effort to provide recognition, to educate, to inspire, and to encourage even more support from the Hollywood community and the public at large. It’s an annual celebration of service and volunteerism,” explains Mansour.
The Noble Humanitarian Awards are produced on behalf of the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a 501©3 non-profit organization. With the staging of the first annual awards on October 18, 2009, the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation will launch a year-round campaign to better unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, influencers, media and everyday citizens in order to create an effective forum for change and service. For more information, please visit www.thenobleawards.org.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Liquid Nation Ball 6: Flea Receives Humanitarian Award
Liquid Nation Ball 6: Flea Receives Humanitarian Award
“Anything that I have ever done, that is good, that is kind, that is helpful…it’s just what you are supposed to do. Nothing I have done is extraordinary or special, it’s just normal and it’s what all of us are supposed to do.” Flea upon receiving the SIMA Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Surfing industry legends and stars turned out in full force last night for the 6th Annual Liquid Nation Ball to honor Red Hot Chili Pepper Flea with the SIMA Humanitarian of the Year Award and raise money for 12 surf-related humanitarian organizations.
The event was held at the ocean front home of Liquid Nation Ball chairman and co-founder, Fernando Aguerre, who should also receive an award for his incredible hospitality and generosity. “The excitement and caliber of this year’s Liquid Nation Ball has taken the fundraising to a whole new level,” Aguerre said prior to the event, “I firmly believe that Liquid Nation Ball 6 will be the best and most successful one yet.” Oh, and it was. From the costumed creature that greeted guests to the never ending crab cakes, empanada’s, skewed chicken and shrimp-(not to mention the numerous open bars and buffets)-it was easy to see why this event sells out every year.
First of all, Aguerre’s home is breathtaking…like a museum. A surfer’s paradise of a museum…the walls are lined with rare, vintage and unique surfboards, as well as some amazing sports related memorabilia-including a Diego Maradona signed jersey and another one signed by the Argentinean soccer team…I was salivating.
But the purpose of the night wasn’t to drool over memorabilia, hot surfers with Aussie accents or soak up the free booze, it was a gathering of like-minded people who have a passion for helping others. The Liquid Nation Ball was originally created by brothers Santiago and Fernando Aguerre to support the humanitarian efforts of SurfAid. In 2006, the brothers donated the Ball to the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association Humanitarian Fund and now, the Ball serves as the official fundraising event for SIMA’s Fund…ALL proceeds from the Ball this year benefit: Surfer’s Healing; Keep A Breast; Boarding for Breast Cancer; Jimmy Miller Foundation; AccesSurf Hawaii; Outdoor Outreach; Stoked Mentoring; Life Rolls On; Mauli Ola Foundation; Project Wipeout; SurfAid International and the Sumba Foundation.
Frolicking around the party were numerous celebrity athletes, notably Tony Hawk and Rob Machado. Machado is one of the world’s greatest surfers…and he is also one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. I plopped myself next to him in a cabana, eager to ask about him about his charity work. “I do have my own foundation, “ he told me, “It’s the Rob Machado Foundation. I teamed up with the elementary schools in my neighborhood, and we do environmental education programs, anything from your basic recycling programs and organic farming-we have organic gardens all over the property- and we also sponsor ocean week, which is an entire week where all curriculum is geared around protecting the ocean.” And as any good ocean-loven writer would ask, I had to bring up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch: “I’d like to learn more about it, “ he said of the Texas sized wad of garbage floating in the Pacific, “I have a few friends that are working on projects, they’ve gone out to it and they are just blown away.”
I also had the privilege of speaking with Flea (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) about his charity work, his Silverlake Conservatory and how it felt to receive the Humanitarian of the Year Award…instead of transcribing the interview, I’ve opted to simply post the video of his acceptance speech after Tony Hawk and Izzy Paskowitz presented him with the award…Flea is one of the most sincere and genuine people I’ve met, with a deep-found belief in giving back. Simply put, he rocks.
Flea pretty much sums it up there…and might I suggest that next year you buy your tickets to this event the minute they go on-sale. Each year its sells out quicker than the previous year…please visit SIMA for more information or any of the links provided in this post-all the organizations are doing incredible things for our kids and the environment. Special thanks to four-time world surfing champion Lisa Anderson for all her hard work, Mandy Johnson from SIMA, Tony Hawk for finally remembering me, Rob Machado for being a classy stud with great follow through skills, Flea for being who he is and Fernando Aguerre for inviting us all into his home for a great cause.
About SIMA: The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the trade association of competing surf industry product suppliers working together to magnify their power for the development of the surf industry by: Promoting awareness and participation in the sport of surfing, which will result in increased sales of members’ products; Endorsing industry trade shows to assist members in bringing their products to market; Providing programs, services and information that will assist members in improving their business operations; Supporting oceanic environmental efforts through the SIMA Environmental Fund to ensure future growth of the sport and understanding of environmental activism.
About The Rob Machado Foundation: (RMF) is a California based 501c(3) not-for-profit private foundation. Founded in 2005, RMF was created to support charities dedicated to environmental programs within Southern California. Our primary mission is to provide funding and initiate educational programs focused on helping children understand their contribution towards a healthy earth. Annually, in September, the foundation hosts the Rob Machado Golf Experience in Solana Beach, CA as a means to support our efforts.
About Silverlake Conservatory of Music: The mission of the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, a non-profit organization, is to facilitate basic music education. Our primary focus is on the youth of the community but all are welcome and encouraged to participate. The Conservatory offers private music lessons at a reasonable cost and grants scholarships to children in need, providing free lessons and instruments. The study of music enriches the life of the student as well as the community and society.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Dikembe Mutombo Opens New Centers at His Hospital
Dikembe Mutombo Opens New Centers at His Hospital
He once said he wanted to be remembered for his commitment to humanity…and throughout the years, Dikembe Mutombo has lived that commitment with ease born to men destined to do great things…
Yesterday, The Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center (BMMH), in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) launched two Centers of Excellence at the state of the art medical facility founded by NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo. The two centers, an Immune System Monitoring Laboratory and an Occupational Safety Center for Health Workers, will train more than 300 clinicians and improve monitoring and treatment of patients living with HIV/AIDS.
“The doctors and nurses at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital are saving lives every day and helping improve health care in the DRC which has been ravaged by more than a decade of war and disease,” said Mr. Mutombo at the opening ceremony. “These Centers of Excellence are an important milestone in improving the quality of life for those who live with HIV/AIDS and in training new health care workers to help prevent the spread of disease.”
Around half a million children under the age of five die every year in the DRC, mostly from preventable causes, such as diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, tuberculosis, malnutrition and measles. Over one million people in DRC are living with HIV/AIDS. Sexual violence of the most brutal form has been carried out against tens of thousands, over half of them children…compels me to say we NEED more Mutombo’s in this world, for the sake of the kids and for the sake of the DRC.
Mutombo was joined at the opening ceremonies by UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman, BD Executive Vice President Gary Cohen, and the DRC Minister of Public Health, Mwami Mopipi Mukulumany.
“It is such an honor to be here today at the hospital founded in the memory of Dikembe’s mother,” said Ms.Veneman. “He is a true friend of UNICEF and his dedication for his home country is an inspiration to us all. Dikembe continues to give a voice to the voiceless people of Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
About the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation: The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation is dedicated to improving the health, education and quality of life for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Foundation strives to accomplish this goal not only by providing comprehensive health care at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, but also through an emphasis on primary health care and disease prevention, the promotion of health policy, health research and increased access to health care education for the people of the Congo. www.dmf.org
About UNICEF: UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. www.unicef.org.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Tracey McGrady: A Jersey for Darfur
Tracey McGrady: A Jersey for Darfur
Oh T-Mac…how I love your ways…Houston Rockets’ Tracey McGrady will switch jersey numbers next season to raise awareness for his Darfur humanitarian project…McGrady will ditch his No. 1 jersey and don a No. 3 jersey to raise attention for the soon to be released “3 Points” documentary that chronicle’s McGrady’s touching journey to Darfur refugee camps in Chad in 2007. The “3 Points” refer to the goals of peace, protection and punishment in Darfur….(more here)
After McGrady returned from his trip, he took action and the Darfur Dream Team was born…it’s a partnership of organizations and professional hoops hotties working together on the Sister Schools Program, an initiative to connect American middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities with sister schools in the 12 refugee camps in Chad.
Thank you Tracey McGrady…thank you.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Dikembe Mutombo Honored Again As A Humanitarian
Dikembe Mutombo Honored Again As A Humanitarian
In a perfect world, my phone would ring, I’d answer it, and it would be Dikembe Mutombo calling to say it’s time to come work for him. But in an Ideal world, Dikembe would be cherished and awarded for his unprecedented humanitarian work…and on Friday, it happened…Dikembe Mutombo received the J. Walker Kennedy Citizenship Award from the Professional Basketball Writers Association. In and of itself, that’s quite an honor, but this is the SECOND time he’s won the award, and the first player in History to do so. (Sorry Steve Nash, he beat ya to it)
“That Dikembe Mutombo would be the first player to repeat as a J. Walter Kennedy award winner speaks as highly of the honor as it does of him,” PBWA president Doug Smith said. “No player has given more freely of his time, his money and himself, on a consistent basis than Mutombo through the years. His and his foundation’s continuing efforts in building, maintaining and improving the hospital in Kinshasa are widely known and set a standard for NBA players, and frankly, athletes across all sports. The PBWA is delighted to present him — again — with this award.”
What more can I say about a man who’s been awarded the Presidents Service Award in 1999, inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in 2007, acknowledged by former President George W. Bush in his 2007 State of the Union Address for his work in support of African causes and continued to inspire an entire team while putting up numbers on the court?
I know I’d sound like a broken record if I went off about his decade long quest to raise $29M for the building of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center in Kinshasa…or how he personally kicked in close to $19M of his own money to make it a reality…or how he has promised to never give up his work to raise money for its operating costs…but I can’t help it. In a world where ‘hate’ sells, I will forever be grateful to Dikembe for his love towards humanity…for his unwavering responsibility of being a role model among professional athletes gone crazy and using his influence to do good deeds.
“The Congo lost more than 300,000 children last year alone from malaria,” Mutombo said. “The treatment will cost no more than $10. If we can come up with $2 million for treatment, with 100,000 people donating $20, there is a chance for us to really eradicate malaria in that particular area. …I know it is going to be difficult to stop people from dying, because death is part of our lives,” he said. “But to prevent as many deaths as possible, it is up to us to do so. This is something I will do the rest of my life.”
Although it looks as if Dikembe’s on-court career is over due to a torn tendon, the upside is that I suspect that we’ll see much more of him now that he’s not playing. “My prayer is that as many people as we have in Houston, maybe 100,000 will respond to my call to donate $20 or more,” Mutombo told the Houston Chronicle in March. “After that, I’m planning to go after every city that I played for.” The eight-time NBA All-Star and four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has played in Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Houston.
Thank you Dikembe Mutombo. Thank you for all the finger wagging, basket slamming, ball flying on-court action. But more importantly, thank you for caring on a global scale. We have been blessed by your presence and infected with your passion…thank you for not forgetting those in the Congo…thank you for making us aware…thank you for being you. You, my friend, are a necessity that I, for one, could not live without. I will be waiting patiently by the phone…
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Vlade Divac: Gone But Never Forgotten
Vlade Divac: Gone But Never Forgotten
“You gave us a chance to start fresh with your attitude, because there wasn’t any ego. The type of things you talked to me about, are the things I would like to teach my son.” Chris Webber to former teammate Vlade Divac
Sexy Serbian Vlade Divac may have only played six seasons with the Sacramento Kings, but his legacy lives in the hearts of his former teammates, a crazy redheaded blogger, thousands of Serbian children, and high above the rafters in Arco Arena. On Tuesday night, Divac’s jersey was officially retired after playing 17 years of professional hoops.
After the beast retired in 2007, he moved back home to Serbia, where he serves as a ‘informal’ adviser to the Serbian government, is the President of Serbia’s Special Olympics committee, and keeps a close eye on an international humanitarian organization. Vlade is, and will forever be-one of the good guys.
“It’s interesting going around the city, and people are still talking about our group of guys,” Divac said of his Kings, which won two Pacific Division titles and never had a losing record. “It’s fun that you left behind something that people still remember. I travel all around the world, and people are still talking about our team and how we played. We were an international team, and that’s one reason we’re still remembered.”
The emotional half-time ceremony had some mighty-fine men lined up to honor Vlade. Former Kings’ hot-hot-hottie Scot Pollard, Doug Christie, Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic (Also of Serbia, now playing for the Hornets), Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie, and Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof.
“You turned our franchise around,” Kings owner Gavin Maloof said before pledging to build a home in Divac’s honor for a Serbian family. “You were the glue for the team.”
For more info on Vlade and his humanitarion work, please visit his Divac.com or Divac.org.
“I believe basketball provides today’s children with necessary skills to choose the right path in life and become successful at whatever they decide to do. Having been privileged to play basketball at the highest level, I believe it is my duty to reach out to as many children as possible across the globe and teach them the importance of respect for self and others, teamwork, having a healthy mind and a healthy body, and love for your family and friends. I hope that through my foundation and programs we offer, I can have at least a small positive influence in the lives of these children”. -Vlade Divac
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Dikembe Mutombo: A Humanitarian for Life
Dikembe Mutombo: A Humanitarian for Life
“This is something I will do the rest of my life. No matter what I go do, whether it is working for the league or business for myself, doing humanitarian work, I don’t think there will be anybody who can stop me.”
After 18 seasons in NBA, Dikembe Mutombo is just a few weeks away from retirement. “I don’t want to leave this game and have something haunt me, like I complained about playing or my minutes. I just want to be happy. One thing I’m very happy with is the transformation that has happened inside our locker room,” said the Rockets center, “The joy, the peace, the smiling on the guys’ faces are very rewarding to see. That is what made me happy, like I accomplished something.”
Accomplished something? While Dikembe is speaking about what he accomplished with the Rockets, my mind drifts elsewhere. It drifts all the way back to the early 80’s. When Bono and the boys were going Into The Heart of a child alongside Bob Geldof who was busy Feeding the World and Elvis Costello was asking us What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding.
‘We’ve been waiting all year, for you…for you…into the heart of a child, I stay a while…into the heart of a child I can smile, I can see my way. Into the heart of a child, I can go back, I can stay a while…into the heart, to the heart of a child…’ U2’s ‘Into the Heart’ lyrics seem to reflect something that Dikembe can relate to.
After all, he’s spent the last decade raising funds for the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital & Research center in Kinshasa (Dem Rep of Congo). Even though the mighty-mighty-fine man has already donated $19M of his own cash, he still needs more, and so he presses on. And he is asking all of us for a little help.
“The latest campaign is to try to go after the grass roots,” Mutombo said. “We can get at least the American people to participate in the treatment of women and children at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital by donating $20 or more a year. The goal is to get 100,000 people to sign up with our Web site (www.DMF.org) or call 1-877-funddmf. We want to get 100,000 people to respond by the end of June.”
Now I’m no stranger to the slumping economy, but I do know most of us wouldn’t miss $20 a year? To save lives? This isnt just a plea, but a movement. And Dikembe is about to go nationwide with it. “I’m going to go nationwide. My prayer is that as many people as we have in Houston, maybe 100,000 will respond to my call to donate $20 or more. After that, I’m planning to go after every city that I played for (Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York) and see how many people will sign up to the Web site or pick up the phone. This is to run the hospital for medicine and treatment and paying the staff, the doctors and nurses.”
“People would understand and know this is a good cause,” he said. “This is not a cause that Dikembe is calling on us to donate money so he can buy more equipment or more beds. This is now something we already accomplished. The beds are there. The equipment is there. You just want us to buy medicine and buy Tylenol and buy IVs and all that. Malaria is killing more than 1.3 million children alone in the African continent. The Congo lost more than 300,000 children last year alone from malaria. The treatment will cost no more than $10. If we can come up with $2 million for treatment, with 100,000 people donating $20, there is a chance for us to really eradicate malaria in that particular area.”
Think about that people. Together, we CAN eradicate malaria in the Congo. I don’t know about anyone else, but even with an overdue cable bill, I’m still sending 20 bucks. The life of a child shouldn’t be cut short because someone opted to buy a bottle of wine instead of saving a life…but hey, that’s just me.
“Our goal is to prevent as many deaths as we can,“ Dikembe continued, “I know it is going to be difficult to stop people from dying, because death is part of our lives. But to prevent as many deaths as possible, it is up to us to do so.”
It is indeed Dikembe, and this girl’s got your back every step of the way.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Former NBA Star Manute Bol Building Schools in the Sudan
Former NBA Star Manute Bol Building Schools in the Sudan
“The children are the future of Sudan, regardless of the region they come from,” Manute Bol.
Manute Bol was once the NBA’s tallest player, standing an impressive 7’ 7” tall. The Sudanese born baller spent almost a decade shooting hoops for the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat. After he retired in 2004 and the novelty of his height wore off, people seemed to move on…lavishing their adoration on players who land three-pointers, sell overpriced signature shoes made in a Chinese sweatshop or hawk lawnmowers instead of hosting a charity event. Needless to say, I wasn’t in the least bit surprised to find very little information on Manute Bol’s latest humanitarian adventures circulating the Internet.
But I did find my ‘needle in the hay-stack’ via two photos that someone was smart enough to snap…Earlier this week, Manute spoke at a rally for action to end the violence in Sudan at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Who knew? Apparently, only one media outlet (AFP) is running the story…makes you wonder if anyone is paying attention to humanity…
Anyway, Bol has been actively kicking butt in efforts to get funding for a school he’s building in Sudan. Just a few weeks ago, Bol hosted a fundraiser in West Hartford where he spoke about the importance of the school being built because right now, classes are currently being held “under trees” in the western Sudan area of Darfur. “My dream is to build schools across south Sudan because with education you can have a decent life, find a job and improve,” said the Man, “But we must also support the people of Darfur because, just like us, they too have suffered.”
What Bol is referring to is ‘uniting Sudan’…while I’m no expert on the War in Darfur, it seems to me that if anyone can do this, it would be him. (Along with Dikembe and Bono of course)….Bol really is doing everything he can to help reconciliation efforts in south Sudan where the war has claimed thousands of lives, including 250 members of his own family. “What happened to us in the south is now happening to the people of Darfur,” said Bol. (Tensions between the Muslim north and predominantly Christian south of the country add to the conflict).
Some help for the thousands of Darfur refugees who have fled to the south comes from one organization, US-based Sudan Sunrise. “We believe that reconciliation is fundamentally essential for the future of Sudan,” said Tom Prichard, director of Sudan Sunrise. “There is now a chance which wasn’t present in the past. We must seize this opportunity to establish good relationships between the north and the south.” Sudan Sunrise even enlisted volunteers from Darfur to help rebuild schools destroyed in the war. “The response was extraordinary,” said Prichard. According to the UN, only two percent of children in south Sudan finish primary school.
I’m watching you Manute, I’m watching.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Jamie Gold Lands Richest Online Sponsorship Deal in History
Jamie Gold Lands Richest Online Sponsorship Deal in History
“I am looking for, and will find a (poker) site that we can all trust, accepts US players, and will teach and support their players without worry of impropriety or monies not being safe,” Jamie Gold stated late this past week.
Most of you will scratch your head while asking ‘Who is Jamie Gold?’ Unless you’re addicted to Poker After Dark, the humor of Phil Laak, the sex appeal of Antonio Esfandiari and the philanthropy of Don Cheadle, Jennifer Harman and Phil Ivey, then I wouldn’t expect you to recognize his name. But take notice, Jamie Gold is the 2006 World Series of Poker champion and the all-time money leader in the game – And he has just inked the industry’s most lucrative multi-year contract in history with upstart poker brand Aced.com.
“We’ve been careful and patient in waiting for the right deal,” stated Gold’s agent Sean Fredericks. Now here’s the 8-10 kicker, Gold turned down several endorsement offers over the past two years because they didn’t mesh with his philosophy of charitable giving. Since his 2006 WSOP win, Gold’s been heavily involved with over 50 charity related events, he’s helped raise more than $110,000 for such charities as MDA/ALS Division, The Sunflower Organization, Montel Williams MS Foundation, and The Michael J. Fox Foundation. He’s not just a poker player-he’s a philanthropist.
“I’m really proud of the example we, as a poker community, are setting,” he said, “Professional poker players, celebrities, athletes, and captains of industry have worked tirelessly and participated honorably in support of charitable gaming events to impact important world causes. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to give back,” added Gold. “But it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Aced and I plan to leave our mark, not just on poker, but on the world, making it a better place for future generations.”
So, how much is the deal worth? Mums the word…but according to “sources,” Gold is about to earn upwards of eight figures. Aced.com will also fund Gold’s participation in major USA, European, and Asian events. “I am not at liberty to disclose details of the arrangement,” commented Gold’s attorney Les Abell. “However, I can say that this contract is valued at more than any deal I’ve ever heard of.”
Not convinced that Jamie Gold is worth the price of Tiger Woods? Think again. His name is one of the most searched on the Internet and his compassion is infectious. I dare you to read this amazing piece Gold wrote about Parkinson’s Disease and Michael J Fox without being moved. It appeared in Bluff magazine in 2006. In part, Gold wrote:
- I have a new hero, not to replace my others, but one who has already motivated me to be a better person. For years, I have been aware of the fight to cure Parkinson’s disease. I have been intimately aware of the issues facing those who have PD, but had yet to get involved in the cause. I heard about a Hollywood poker event for PD and I just had to be a part of it. The more research I did about the organization behind the event, the more impressed I became. Then I attended the event and was blown away. From an opening speech to tireless involvement throughout the evening, the force leading this charge was truly inspiring. His name is Michael J. Fox.
Aced.com launched in September 2008…Aced poker room manager Brandon Berndt stated in regards to signing Gold, “We are extremely excited to have Jamie on board, not only because of his obvious value as an ambassador for us within the poker world, but for the unparalleled enthusiasm, insight, and creativity he brings to the ongoing development of our brand. He could have chosen so many other sites, but we share his values and vision. He is worth every penny—or billion pennies.”
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
3 Points for Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady’s Journey
Dikembe Mutombo is the Bono of the NBA. His infectious humanitarian spirit has rubbed off on some of the greatest, including Houston Rocket teammate Tracy McGrady. The Mutombo effect. That’s what I call it. If it werent for this 7’2” beast we may not have as many ballers lining up to support the need for aid in Africa. McGrady was influenced by Dikembe to travel to Africa, but wasn’t entirely hip on the situation there. “I had no clue what genocide was, and I’m still learning about it,” he said while visiting refugee camps in eastern Chad. “I really don’t know what I am going to see.”
What he did see has been chronicled in the new documentary “3 Points.” Last year, T-Mac had a first hand look at three African refugee camps. Working alongside documentary filmmaker and photographer Josh Rothstein and humanitarian John Prendergast of the Enough Project, the films just been completed and is looking for distribution. A great article in the LA Times today explains T-Macs reaction to the trip, what he plans to do next, and how he plans on rolling out the T-Mac effect among players willing to kick in $75k to build new schools. “Some of the players need to be educated,” McGrady says. “But some of them are caring guys, know that something has to be done and are willing to help.” The NBA will be airing “3 Points” to its players and hopefully the films three points will be drilled home: Three strategies to fight genocide: Peace, Protection and Punishment. So far, T-Mac has enlisted his Florida high school as a sister school to a new school in Chad, and gotten donations from Derek Fisher and Jermaine O’Neal. Indeed Tracy McGrady is a mighty-mighty-fine man.
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Delinda Lombardo
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Rafael Nadal: Prince of Asturias Award
TAPA NOW A PRINCE?
Well, maybe not really a prince, but on Wednesday, Rafael Nadal won the prestigious Prince of Asturias sports award.
The first hottie since Bjorn Borg to win two back-to-back majors, bring home a gold from Beijing, and dethrone Roger Federer, has followed up his French Open title with a bit-o-royal-love. “Rafael Nadal is an exemplary athlete,” the Prince of Asturias jury said. “Both in victory and in the very few times in which he tastes defeat, he behaves like a great athlete.” And we all know how sexy it is when Rafael tastes victory by nibbling on those wonderful trophies. Nadal won the award because the jury feels, as do I, that Nadal always has a kind word for his opponents, and because he’s created a charity foundation- (which I cant seem to fin any info on so if anyone of you know about it please hit me up). The award goes to a person, persons or organization deemed to have excelled in their field and worked to promote sports in general…fittingly enough, our beast was nominated alongside Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt and the Spanish National Football Team.
- At its meeting in Oviedo, the Jury for the 2008 Prince of Asturias Award for Sport…has decided to bestow the 2008 Prince of Asturias Award for Sport on the tennis player Rafael Nadal. The Jury has prized the merits of the sportsman: in Grand Slam competitions, his fourth French Open title and his first Wimbledon victory, thereby becoming the number one tennis player in the world and, in this Olympic year, also obtaining the gold medal in Beijing. Rafael Nadal is an example to follow. Both in his victories and in the very few occasions when he is defeated, he shows great sportsmanship. The way he reacts after a victory and the way he highlights the merits of his opponents is particularly admirable. He has also recently established a charitable foundation bearing his name, which focuses on social work among disadvantaged groups and cooperation for development.The Prince of Asturias Award laureate for Sport was one of the major figures at the Beijing Olympic Games, along with Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt and Yelena Isinbayeva, three of the final candidates for said Award. The Jury has valued Rafael Nadal’s contribution to the excellent year that Spanish Sport has enjoyed in 2008, achieving three major international prizes in different disciplines.
Congratulations to Rafael Nadal and his royal nod….he is make right choice, no?
This time I really am taking a few days off…I’ll be back after Peter Windsor wakes me up bright and early Sunday morning to work the grid from the Belgian F1 Grand Prix.
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Delinda Lombardo
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Delinda Challenged By Dikembe’s Tormentor
DELINDA’S 30-DAY CHALLENGE
A few days ago I posted a rant aimed at an article promoting Hooman, the alleged ‘reformed racist’ who taunted Dikembe Mutombo with his “monkey” comment. And today, I accept a challenge from Hooman himself.
- Hey Delinda, How come you left out the part where I am donating 25% of my book to the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation? Why is it that Dikembe Mutombo’s camp is way past my mistake and you are not? I want to issue you a friendly challenge. Why not let me coach you for a month? I will make you a better person in less than 30 days. If not tell everyone what a phony I am. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Why are you so angry? I don’t have ads on my website so you can’t say I am doing it for money. It is okay that you have ads on your website but here you are calling me out because you are claiming I am all about money. Why don’t you try to put this thing past us? If that article bothered you on Sunday you are in for a future of disappointment because I am here to stay. I am going to help as many people as I can, including you. I have dreamed of being a motivational speaker since I was 22. This negative experience has driven me to make it happen. You too can turn the negatives of your life into the greatest positives by the way you think. I am extending to you an olive branch of peace, why don’t you let go of the past so your future can be that much better? Are you up for my 30-day challenge? Either way I really wish you the best in your life and I hope you find happiness. HoomanCan
In my original post “How To Reward Racism’ I did omit the fact that a portion of Hooman book will be donated to Dikembe’s Foundation-for several reasons: one, on Hoomans website he states that he is donating 20%, (not 25% as mentioned by the man himself) and two, I doubt Hoomans motives.
Hoomans above challenge claims that he can ‘make me a better person’. I accept his challenge for several reasons…first of all, I think rather highly of myself, my ethics, my morals and my reputation, which leads me to my other reason for accepting- I feel I can make Hooman a better person as well. After all, it’s a give and take world isnt it? In particular, I would ask Hooman to explain the following paragraph from his website:
The book Mutombo and Me is about the events following the night, which Hooman Hamzehloui became infamous around the world for being the racist who was banned from every NBA arena. Unknowingly using words of racist hate, Hooman became the recipient of hate mail, death threats, and nasty calls. Hooman had always been an advocate against racism so he felt personally responsible for bringing out the hatred of people all over the world.
So, Hooman, question…IF you claim to have “always been an advocate against racism” why did you spark an international outrage? I have yet to hear of another ‘advocate’ taunting another person with racial slurs. Perhaps you should change the words you use to promote yourself? This would be a great first step towards your credibility in my eyes.
Because what you, Hooman, don’t recognize, is that I have already found happiness. I don’t get my happiness from the pennies I earn each month from the ads on my site. My happiness is rooted in a deep belief that we are all equal, regardless of race, nationality, or political views. But my true happiness is at its peak when I see those in a position to better this world take action. Do I believe you (Hooman) and your motives? Not really…at least not yet…but I am willing to hear what you have to say. So, I accept your magical Hooman ‘make-me-a-better-person-make-over’ because if you are going to ‘create a future of disappointment for me by not going away’ then I best give you one shot at redemption before I dismiss you for good.
Game on Hooman. Show me what ya got.
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Delinda Lombardo
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How to Reward Racism?
This got me fired up today. Mike Bianchi at the Orlando Sentinel has penned a piece about Hooman Hamzehloui. You most likely don’t recognize his name, but you most certainly recognize his words: “Hey, Dikembe, you look like a monkey!” How can we ever forget this guy? Hooman is the racist fan who was banned by the NBA and the Orlando Magic for a full season after a heckling incident two years ago.
Bianchi makes excuse after excuse for Hooman, exalting the transformation of an ‘unknowing racist’ to ‘motivational speaker’…in the article Bianchi writes ‘Maybe it’s a cultural divide (Hooman was born in Iran and came to this country when he was a kid), but to this day Hooman claims he didn’t know “monkey” was a racially offensive term.’ “I had no idea why everybody was so upset,” Hooman says. “I was just trying to have some fun with Mutombo.” (excuse my language kids) but that’s straight up bullshit. The article promotes Hoomans new out-look on life, and includes this (excuse me again) bullshit apology: “I take full responsibility for what I said,” Hooman says now, “even though I really didn’t know what I was saying.”
You can NOT take full responsibility for something and then turn around and say “yeah but…” But nothing…Hoomans words got him banned from the arena…he was so depressed he sat around hosting a pity party for himself because his words were misunderstood…he didn’t know calling Dikembe a monkey was racist…insert finger down throat…and now, Bianchi is actually helping this guy promote his new career as a “motivational speaker” and hawk his new book ‘Mutombo and Me’…are you kidding me? Yet another racist has capitalized on his own behavior and got a welcoming hug from the media…no doubt some cash was exchanged somewhere along the way…seriously, Dikembe is one of the brightest men in the NBA, his humanitarian work makes me cry, and his heart is so full of love that you can actually feel it a mile away.
“If they didn’t kick him out of this arena, he would have seen me off the court,” Mutombo said after the incident in 2006. “I will not accept that. We are not in the ‘60s. People have paid the price for us to be where we are today. For him to call a black man a monkey in the middle of the game, he was in the second row, for him to stand up and call, ‘Mutombo the monkey,’ is an insult. It insulted my integrity, my body, my family, my race.”
Why not chose to write a piece on the effect of Hoomans words? How his words cut through the soul of a man who speaks five languages? How his words incited anger in those with an ounce of intelligence? Tell me again Bianchi, what was the point of your article? To help sell Hoomans book? Drive traffic to his website? Or anger those of us who will NEVER forget those seven-little-words?
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Delinda Lombardo
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The Olympic Oath, Darfur and Joey Cheek
HUMAN RIGHTS TRUMP ATHLETIC COMPETITION
In the name of all competitors
I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic games,
respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them,
in the true spirit of sportsmanship,
for the glory of the sport and the honor of our teams
The Olympics. 8.08.08. Opening ceremonies are just a few days away and it looks like a few brain-cells in President Bush’s head have finally realized that something funny is going on with China. Armed with “deep concerns” about the state of human rights in China, Bush is urging the communist nation to allow political freedoms for its citizens, “We speak out for a free press, freedom of assembly and labor rights — not to antagonize China’s leaders, but because trusting its people with greater freedom is the only way for China to develop its full potential.” In an interview aboard Air Force One with The Washington Post, Bush said it was “really hard to tell” whether human rights in China had improved over the past eight years. “I’m fired up to go. I can’t wait to salute our athletes, and I can’t wait to share in the joy of your triumphs,” he said. Huh?
I certainly will be watching the Olympics, but not without a heavy weight and dark cloud marring my view. I will cheer for all athletes, from all countries who have trained hard for this moment. But I will most certainly be keeping an ear out for those who take this opportunity to speak their mind about China’s abhorrent treatment of its citizens, the media and it’s involvement with the genocide in Darfur. I don’t think it comes as any surprise that Olympic gold medallist and outspoken Darfur activist Joey Cheek has had his visa revoked by the Chinese embassy hours before the speed skating beast was set to fly to China. As the founder of Team Darfur, Cheek has had a target on his back since its inception.
“I am saddened not to be able to attend the Games. The Olympic Games represent something powerful: that people can come together from around the world and do things that no one thought were possible. However, the denial of my visa is a part of a systemic effort by the Chinese government to coerce and threaten athletes who are speaking out on behalf of the innocent people of Darfur.”
The cash-strapped (at the time) Cheek ‘had me’ after he brought home the gold from Torino and promptly donated his $25,000 bonus to Darfur while begging his sponsors to do the same. I’m not asking anyone to ignore the spirit of competition or the thrill of victory, and neither is Cheek. Why is it that if we speak out against China and Darfur we are suddenly “anti-Olympics”? I don’t support our “war” but at the same time I do support our troops. Yes people, there is room for both.
As mentioned, I will be watching the Olympics. But, in my opinion, human rights trump sports. Simple as that. Imagine if you were one of the displaced children who witnessed your mother being raped and your father being hacked to pieces…imagine being that child-hiding, crammed into a shanty-hut with forty other people trying to escape the genocide…imagine if there was a small TV hooked-up and your only escape from the daily horrors of your reality was the static of the games coming through on the TV…and with the whole world watching, it takes just one Olympic athlete to issue a few words of hope about ending the genocide…about helping a country desperately calling for aid…a few simple words can give someone hope…hope for help, hope for a better life, hope that people care, hope that your suffering isnt being ignored, hope that one day it will all end. That’s what its all about. We don’t have to ignore any athletic accomplishment, we don’t have to ban Joey Cheek from skating or duct tape someone’s mouth shut because they may something bad about China that we already know. We only need to care. And for me, I care a hell of a lot more about stopping the horrific war crimes being committed than I do about who brings home the medal. So yes, I will be watching the games on my plasma TV inside my comfortable home surrounded by the daily comforts we take for granted. But there won’t be one single moment when I’m not thinking about those who need our help and have bigger things to worry about than who wins what where.
Lets enjoy the games but lets not use this as an excuse to escape from the realities of Darfur. We can’t stop and we can’t ignore humanity until the last machete is torn from the hands of a rebel.
Help Save Darfur.
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Delinda Lombardo
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Steve Nash Builds in Gulu versus Paul Pierce’s Traffic Stop?
WHERE’S OUR PRIORITIES?
So the big news from the sports world this morning is a ‘bench-clearing’ brawl in the roid-ravaged Major League’s and the fact that NBA good-guy Paul Pierce was ‘pulled over’ in Vegas. Pa-leeze…is it too much to ask for the headline: NBA Star to Build Youth Center in Uganda? As I peruse the news in search of worthwhile happenings, I find myself drawn more and more to Canada and their style of reporting. Canadian news outlets seem to be the best for reporting things we should actually care about…like Steve Nash and his humanitarian work.
Over the weekend, Nash was celebrating the one-year anniversary of his $5-million facility, the Steve Nash Sports Club in Vancouver. After his morning workout, Nash popped in on more than 150 kids at the center and signed everything from basketballs to jerseys. “I’m thrilled,” Nash said. “First of all, it’s beautiful. It’s the kind of place I want to come and spend my time at. To see membership grow and to see the atmosphere and the spirit is exactly what we had in mind when we started.”
And Nash isn’t done by a long shot. He’s taking his love to Africa where he has announced plans to build a Youth Center for Culture and Sports in Northern Uganda.
The Youth Centre for Culture and Sport will be a first of its kind in northern Uganda, where war has ravaged the area for the past 22 years. The youth centre, a project born from a partnership between the Steve Nash Foundation and Athletes for Africa, will bring together activities that will empower, heal, build confidence and provide leadership opportunities for youth affected by the conflict. Although construction is not anticipated to commence until 2009, stay tuned for updates and learn how you can help bring this amazing idea into fruition. Visit athletesforafrica.com/youthcentre for more information.
Construction should begin next year. “The youths of that community have experienced absolute horrors,” said Nash, “We want to create a center to give these youths the opportunity we’re afforded.” The center will provide free basketball, soccer and sports equipment, art materials, classes and counseling in Gulu- an area that has been the site of much bloodshed during the country’s 20-year civil war and has displaced more than 90% of the population. Nash’s partnership with Athletes in Africa seems a perfect fit…the international program helps professional athletes assist African development and I can’t think of a better man than Steve Nash to jump aboard the healing and aid of a nation in distress.
For more information, please visit Nash’s Foundation, or Athletes for Africa. If you’re anxious to do your part, you can sign up for the Athletes for Africa GuluWalk Day on October 25…an event that I’ve supported for years.
In other news…Paul Pierce was spotted by a star-struck cop in Las Vegas at around 3 a.m. this morning and pulled over. Officer Cassell (no relation to Sam?) pulled Pierce over, handcuffed him and released him after a sobriety test in efforts to gain his 15-minutes of fame. According to Cassell Pierce seemed “a little agitated” after he got out of the car. Can’t imagine why? Its not like NBA players get a bad rap in Vegas or cops are racist or anything? Officer ’15-Minutes’ gave Pierce a sobriety test which registered “below the legal limit.” Pierce was released, a valet was called to drive Pierces car, and he took a cab back to where he was staying…good job Officer ‘15’ for making a much-to-do about nothing…and on that note…I’ll add my 15 minutes of nothingness by running the below photo of AC Milan’s Paolo Maldini, who I admittedly would pull over, handcuff, stretch, and sobriety check if I were to see him drive by me…
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Delinda Lombardo
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Luol Deng: Worth Every Penny of His New $70M+ Contract
LUOL DENG: WORTH EVERY PENNY OF HIS NEW $70M+ CONTRACT
The Chicago Bulls have locked in their best player, Luol Deng, to a six-year contract reportedly worth between $70-80M. And Deng is worth every penny. Why? Aside from being a versatile player, he’s one of the NBA’s top humanitarians, right alongside Dikembe Mutombo, Steve Nash, Etan Thomas, and Juwan Howard. “Obviously we’re incredibly happy to get Luol signed,” general manager John Paxson said. “It’s the type of thing that gives him security and gives us the direction we’re going to go here in the future.”
Sudanese-born Deng’s direction was founded a long time ago when he met former NBA player Manute Bol. “I’m from a nation where my whole lifetime and the life before me have been struggling,” said Deng in USA Today when asked why it was important to give back to the community. “To be blessed and to do what I’m doing puts a smile on everybody’s face. It’s not just me that’s blessed. It’s all of us. The little things that Americans see every day, we don’t see that often. [Manute Bol’s] time was before me, so I just try to make things special for all the kids from Sudan instead of them hearing negative all the time.”
Earlier this year, I wrote a piece for Look to the Stars about Deng’s involvement with the Chicago Association for the Lost Boys of Sudan. On January 6, Deng joined the Chicago Association for the Lost Boys of Sudan to host the ‘Hope for Sudan Celebration’ at Truman College in Chicago. The celebration marked the third anniversary of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and doubled as the official birthday of the “Lost Boys of Sudan” refugees (immigration paperwork marks January 1 as the birthday of all Sudanese boys). “Playing in the NBA is a dream come true. Charity work is something that is a lot more powerful. I enjoy basketball, but giving back is something a lot of people can’t do.” Deng moved to Britain at the age of nine when his family fled civil war. He spent his formative years in the United Kingdom before moving to the States at aged 14 to play basketball on a scholarship. And today, Deng is once again living up to his words.
Deng spent this afternoon at an NBA JamVan press event in Trafalgar Square (London), spreading that Deng-love to all the kids in attendance. Deng is kicking it with Britain’s national team for the upcoming European Championships. His new contract makes him one of the highest paid British athletes and you can be sure that some of that cash is gonna find its way to one of the numerous charities he supports, including the Chicago Chapter of the Lost Boys of Sudan and the World Food Program who he is a spokesperson for. This mighty-mighty-fine man has also traveled to Africa, Asia and Europe with the NBA as part of their Basketball Without Borders Tour and is a staunch supporter of ninemillion.org.
Keep it up Luol…we need more good guys out there inspiring us both on, and off the court.
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