CALIFORNIA SPORTS HALL OF FAME CELEBRATES CLASS OF 2011 INDUCTION CEREMONY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27

 

California sports celebrities to sign autographs, meet and greet fans, auction off rare sports memorabilia, with proceeds to benefit thousands of at-risk youth

 

ONTARIO, CA (February 10, 2011) - The California Sports Hall of Fame will induct its Class of 2011, featuring California sports legends Dick Vermeil, Mike Haynes, Ken Norton, Tony Lopez and Bob Miller, during its 5^th annual Induction Ceremony on Sunday, February 27 at 5:00 p.m., at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, CA. Many former inductees and sports celebrities have been invited to attend, meet and greet guests, sign autographs and participate in an auction featuring rare sports memorabilia. Proceeds will benefit thousands of underprivileged youth.

 

“We are proud to continue our tradition of recognizing incredible Californians who have made outstanding contributions at the highest level in sports,” said Christian Okoye, Founder, California Sports Hall of Fame. “The Class of 2011 truly embodies what sports is all about and we are excited to honor them during this special evening, which will also benefit at-risk youth across our state.”

 

The Class of 2011 was selected by a special committee, comprised of past California Sports Hall of Fame inductees and celebrity athletes, for their outstanding contributions to the world of sports in California and/or for their ties to the state.

 

Dick Vermeil, an NFL Super Bowl Champion with the St. Louis Rams, attended San Jose State University and was born in Calistoga, near Napa Valley. Mike Haynes is an NFL Hall of Famer with the Los Angeles Raiders. Ken Norton, a WBC Heavyweight Champion and World Boxing Hall of Famer, was born in San Diego. Tony Lopez, a three-time World Boxing Champion, was born in Sacramento. Bob Miller is a recognized Play-by-Play Announcer and known as the “Voice of the LA Kings.”

 

Many former inductees will be in attendance to sign autographs, meet and greet guests and welcome the Class of 2011. Past inductees that have been invited include California sports celebrities such as Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson, David “Deacon” Jones, Eric Dickerson, Tommy Lasorda, Dan Fouts, Dave Winfield, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mike Powell, Tom Flores, Marcus Allen, Cheryl Miller, Karch Kiraly and many more.

 

Plus, guests will have the chance to win rare sports memorabilia during silent and live auctions, with proceeds to benefit thousands of at-risk California children.

 

The California Sports Hall of Fame provides scholarships to disadvantaged student athletes and hosts free athletic clinics for underprivileged youth, featuring active and retired professional athletes and Olympians. Through clinics and mentorship, the California Sports Hall of Fame hopes to foster a goal-setting spirit in each child to continue their education and succeed in life.

 

Each ticket, including the induction dinner and ceremony, costs $260. One ticket, including the induction reception, dinner and ceremony, costs $400.

 

To purchase tickets and for more information, please contact the California Sports Hall of Fame at (909) 481-3541, e-mail support@californiasportshalloffame.org or visit www.californiasportshalloffame.org.

 

About California Sports Hall of Fame

The California Sports Hall of Fame, founded in 2006, has a mission to capture the passion children and young adults have for sports and direct that energy to enhance their educational and personal goals. Through the organization’s efforts and resources, the California Sports Hall of Fame supports and promotes education and sports for underprivileged children and young adults throughout California.

 

For more information on the California Sports Hall of Fame, please call (909) 481-3541, e-mail support@californiasportshalloffame.org or visit www.californiasportshalloffame.org. The mailing address is: California Sports Hall of Fame, PO Box 1323, Alta Loma, CA 91701.

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Magic Johnson Sells Ownership Stake In The Lakers

By Mike Bresnahan
Los Angeles Times

Magic Johnson will forever be connected with the Lakers, but he can't be called part-owner of the team any longer.

Johnson sold his 4.5% ownership stake in the franchise to billionaire season-ticket holder Patrick Soon-Shiong, the team said Monday.

Johnson, 51, has become wealthy from his business ventures since retiring from basketball, including commercial real estate, health clubs and restaurants.

But Johnson, who wore No. 32 on the way to becoming a Hall of Fame guard for the Lakers, is a relative pauper compared with Soon-Shiong, a surgeon and biotech investor ranked No. 46 among the nation's wealthiest people by Forbes magazine this year. His estimated worth is $5.6 billion.

Soon-Shiong, 58, said in a statement that it was "an honor to be part of the Lakers family and the nation's foremost basketball franchise."

Read more..  



UPDATE:  Even though Johnson reportedly received "an offer he couldn't refuse" for his stake in the Lakers, which was approximately worth $27 million, many of you might still find it hard to believe Johnson would simply sell his ownership share for a big profit.  Well, it seems as though such inclinations could be spot on.

SportsbyBrooks.com has some interesting information regarding Johnson making a run at owning another NBA franchise, and his stake would be a lot bigger than 4.5%.