More than $1.7 Million Raised When Combined with ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic
The eighth annual “Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction” raised $766,606 for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. To date, the event has raised more than $5,700,000 in its eight years. The annual event offered more than 250 items and experiences via auction either online from July 1-11 or as part of an ESPN Radio 16-hour, on-air radiothon Wednesday, July 11.
When combined with the ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic, more than $1,766,000 million was raised for cancer research during ESPYs Week.
Donations were also a big a part of the auction’s success, as listeners responded to show hosts’ on-air invitation: “If you don’t have the money to bid, every donation helps no matter what size.”
The radio auction, a Team ESPN corporate outreach initiative, coincided with the 12th annual ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic. Held at Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms inIndustry Hills,Calif.on Tuesday, July 10, the 2012 ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic raised $1,000,000 in net proceeds for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
About ESPN Audio
ESPN Audio is comprised of the country’s largest sports radio network, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPNRadio.com, and ESPN Podcasts. ESPN Radio, which launched January 1, 1992, provides more than 9,000 hours of talk and event content annually, reaching 24 million listeners a week on 700 nationwide stations, more than 300 full-time affiliates, and owned and operated FM stations in New York and Dallas, and AM signals in Chicago and Los Angeles. ESPN Deportes is the only all-sports Spanish radio network, and has 45 affiliates with stations in all ten of the Top 10 Hispanic markets. ESPNRadio.com is the most listened to live stream of any terrestrial broadcaster in the world – reaching more than 1.7 million unique listeners per month (source: Ando Media). ESPN Podcasts are reaching 358 million downloads through the ESPN PodCenter and iTunes (a year-to-year increase of more than 129 percent), including its most popular podcast The BS Report with Bill Simmons.
About The V Foundation
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has raised more than $120 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs. Administrative and fundraising expenses are paid by the Foundation’s endowment. The Foundation awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Board. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.
About Team ESPN
Team ESPN encompasses ESPN’s multi-faceted corporate outreach initiatives, including volunteerism, corporate giving and cause marketing, while utilizing its diverse media assets. Through Team ESPN, ESPN employees and fans join together to make a difference in our world and the communities in which we work. www.teamespn.com.
– 30 –
Media Contact: Carrie Kreiswirth at (860) 766-6042 or carrie.b.kreiswirth@espn.com