Sports and Media Personalities come together to battle against COVID-19 — Mims covers the #AllInChallenge, the Mike Missanelli Show, & more
This past week I saw evidence of how people are coming together in unique ways to fight against the pandemic of the Coronavirus. I’d like to point out three that got my attention.
The first one that I’d like to mention is spearheaded by Michael Rubin, owner of the Fanatics and part-owner of the Sixers. Rubin came up with the “All In Challenge” which asked sports celebrities, entertainers and media figures donate items to be auctioned or raffled off. The gifts have significant value and offer ‘once in a lifetime’ fan experiences. All proceeds go to help provide food to kids, elderly and frontline workers.
This idea took off. Meek Mills has donated a 2018 Rolls Royce Phantom where the current bid is at $320,000. Kevin Hart offered a speaking part in one of his films. Ben Simmons pledged a chance to play five on five with him participating. Mark Cuban will sign the winner up for a one-day contract to be on the Dallas Mavericks - that person will be treated just like a player and receive a personalized jersey. You can win a double date with Zach And Julie Ertz including dinner and courtside tickets to a Sixers game. The items that are part of the raffle are affordable. More information is available here.
Other personalities are contributing in other ways. The Tamron Hall Show invited Suze Orman as a guest to give people financial advice. With unemployment at a staggering 14%+, this was great direction teaching people how to survive this economic spiral. Orman suggested that everyone save what money they have, pay the minimum to creditors that you can and call your mortgage and auto loan companies to work out a payment agreement. Hall also brought in 3 people (virtually, of course) that are experiencing the hardships of not working and Orman gave each of them a plan to execute.
My last shout out goes to the Mike Missanelli Show on 97.5 radio and NBC Sports Philadelphia. The show has turned from an all sports format to sharing airtime and promoting the essential people that are providing us with food and health care during this crisis. Missanelli and his co-hosts, Tyrone Johnson, and Natalie Egenolf, have created entertaining segments that include ranking top actors and actresses. They also did a great show where the audience picked the all-time top television series in a battle of 64 playing off the missing ‘March Madness’ with drama and comedy in separate categories. This creativity has provided a break from the COVID-19 reports and the dismay of not having live sporting events to watch and talk about.
I encourage anyone reading this to participate in the #ALLINCHALLENGE and to watch both above-mentioned shows. Tamron Hall is on Monday thru Friday at 10AM on ABC. Missanelli is on Monday thru Friday between 2PM-6PM on 97.5.