NBA All Star Weekend - Giving Back

Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, Inc., announced yesterday that they will be donating $500,000 to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana's Slidell Unit, to help build a new gym. Michael Jordan and All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul joined more than 250 community leaders and New Orleans-area youth for the official dedication and check presentation ceremony.



Too cute.

But don't think the other #23 wasn't round the way, tryin' to do some good. Lebron James was out dedicating a new playground at the St. Bernard Rec Center in New Orleans.
I see you Lebron - go get your grown, socially responsible man on.

Yesterday, Alonzo Mourning and Magic Johnson ushered in the 2008 “Boost Mobile Zo & Magic’s 8-Ball Challenge,” one of the most popular events during all star weekend. Ludacris was the host for the event and over $750,000 was raised to support youth and community causes.

From left: Magic Johnson, wife Cookie Johnson, Tracy Mourning and Alonzo Mourning

Son Trey...

Ladies working the event ...
Again, lady working the event ...*snicker*

Melo and"wifey" Lala were also in attendance...

I see you Michael. I see you AND your old man jeans...

Whoa there. Calm down there Gabby...

Allan Houston looked like he stepped off the set of Happy Days and Auntie V was extra per usual.

Keep up the good work you guys! I'm looking forward to more posts like this one...

Top athletes top Forbes List

It's no suprise that many of the most nationally well-known athletes would make th 2007 Forbes list for Top Earning African American stars.

Check out what Forbes said about these all-stars below.

Oprah Winfrey - $260 Million

Tiger Woods - $100 Million

Jay-Z - $83 Million

50 Cent - $33 Million

Kobe Bryant- $33 Million

Shaq - $32 Million

Michael Jordan - $31 Million

Will Smith - $31 Million
Dwight Freeney - $30 Million Floyd Mayweather - $30 Million

Beyonce - $27 Million

Lebron James - $27 Million

Tiger Woods

He's the top-earning athlete in sports, thanks largely to endorsement deals. Nike is his largest to date, but royalties from Gatorade's upcoming Tiger-branded drink could rival the sneaker giant's payout. Woods, 32, commands as much as $3 million a pop for playing overseas tournies. His fees from such paid appearances nearly matched his winnings over the past year.

Kobe Bryant
The Lakers forward stayed put, despite well-publicized chatter about his frustration with the team and interest in defecting. "We have a really good situation," a seemingly content Bryant told reporters recently. In December, Bryant, 29, surpassed Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan to become the youngest basketballer in NBA History to reach 20,000 career points.

Shaquille O'Neal
Injuries have caused the Diesel to average career lows in points and assists this year. Injured or not, the Miami Heat still owes Shaq $40 million over the next two seasons.

Michael Jordan
He's arguably the best professional basketball player in history. Jordan, who turns 45 in February, has his hands in a variety of businesses, both charitable and for profit, including restaurants and motor sports. He also boasts a minority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats. Though it's been some five years since he retired, Jordan's Nike sneakers are still a $500 million business.

Dwight Freeney
Last July, Freeney became the highest-paid defensive player in football with a six-year, $72 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts, of which $30 million was paid upfront.

Floyd Mayweather
In 2007, Mayweather enjoyed his best year ever financially, He collected a total of $50 million for his May and December fights against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, respectively.

Lebron James
King James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first conference title ever this year. When not on the court, James, 23, oversees construction of his 35,000-square-foot home outside of Cleveland, which includes a bowling alley, casino and barber shop. This year the cycling aficionado also acquired a minority stake in Cannondale, manufacturer of high-performance bicycles.

TO finds solace in the Bahamas with MJ

Not in the Eddie Murphy/Johnny Gill kind of way. TO dried up his tears from last weekends disappointing loss to the Giants by joining Michael Jordan and other top celebrities from the worlds of sports and entertainment at the 6th annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI).

The event kicked off yesterday in the Bahamas and will benefit several worthy causes, including the James R. Jordan Foundation, the Kerzner HIV/AIDS Initiative and Ronald McDonald Houses of North Carolina, as well as the charities of choice of the tournament's top competitors.

MJ: "You really had me rollin' with those waterworks man"
TO: "Haha, yea you know, you know... that's how I get them ladies ripe for the picking!"

MJ caught up with legend Dr. J...

And posed with celebrity guests Boris Kodjoe, his wife Nicole and Fat Joe.

Regina and Gabby...I'm goin' to have to ask you to back up about 10 inches or so. My girl Jess has made that request. Thanks.

After all this years, he's still got that swagger....

Nike Releasing "Green" Air Jordan This Month

Time for some fresh, new kicks? This month, Nike releases Air Jordan XX3, the 23rd edition of the Air Jordan.
You can cop the limited edition ($230) prior to the national release ($185), if its really that serious.

What I find most exciting about this shoe (you may not share in my excitement) is has been designed to be environmentally correct, perhaps the first “green” shoe in the team sports footwear category.

The XX3, for example, uses a minimal amount of adhesives and glues that are considered environmentally unfriendly, instead relying on an innovative system of interlocking panels, which meant designing new machines to produce the product.

Check out the video of MJ talking about the release here.

I wonder how many more editions will be released after this shoe? Do you think it would be best to end the line with the 23rd edition to commemorate his jersey number?