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Russell Wilson is struggling as a quarterback, however he’s completely rolling on the subject of scamming donors to his charity. A ranging report from USA At this time printed on Wednesday outlined that Wilson’s “Why Not You? Basis” had solely donated roughly 40 p.c of its earnings to charity, with the remainder going to fundraising and worker salaries.
In complete Russ’ basis acquired $7.5M in income in by means of 2021, however solely reported $2.8M being handed on to any charitable actions. Within the bills of the muse features a six-figure wage for a private pal of Russell and Ciara Wilson, who’s an worker of the muse — however digging deeper goes additional than that.
The web site for “Why Not You?” doesn’t checklist any workers or a CEO, however does present its board of administrators. This can be a veritable who’s-who of nepotism. Not a single member of the charity’s board has a non-profit background, however relatively all of them share private connections to Russ and Ciara. The entire checklist contains:
- Russell Wilson
- Ciara Wilson
- Sheryl Willert (Russ’ long-time private lawyer)
- Larry Estrada, VP at Goldman Sachs (private pal of Russ)
- Mark Rodgers (Russ’ agent and shut pal)
- Harry Wilson (Russ’ brother)
- Jessica Abramson Lott (Russ’ PR supervisor)
- Charly Martin (former Seahawks receiver who performed with Russ)
- Scott Pickett (Russ’ shut pal)
It’s not unusual for celeb charities to have board members with private ties to the founders, however it’s atypical to not have anybody operating the present with a conventional charity background. Moreover, Wilson’s charity raises particular questions as a result of it was used as a key motive Wilson received the Walter Payton Man of the Yr Award in 2020, with Roger Goodell saying:
“Russell Wilson has at all times prioritized serving his group, however this 12 months, he met the problem and extra when it was wanted most,” mentioned NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “He has proven continued excellence on the sector for 9 seasons, however the work he has finished to assist youth and combat meals insecurity by means of his Why Not You Basis bolsters his lasting legacy. Russell is extraordinarily deserving of this award and I do know he’ll use this as an extra springboard to proceed to positively affect others.”
Basically the premise of profitable Russ the award, and the justification by the NFL was the work Wilson did together with his charity — which we now know went extra in the direction of benefitting his household and associates than the needy youngsters it purports to assist.
On Wednesday evening the “Why Not You? Basis” posted a prolonged response to the USA At this time story, which mentioned partially:
“Whereas the muse raises funds and gives grants and presents, our partnerships have allowed for extra direct supply and affect. Our dynamic partnerships enable for Russell and Ciara to offer their time, ardour, and concepts and lift consciousness for causes in intimate and hands-on settings and occasions.”
So principally, they didn’t refute something within the report, however tried to recommend that as a result of Russ and Ciara flip up at occasions for different charities, that’s the place their true affect is. Cool.
Usually this wouldn’t be a problem the NFL ought to wade into, however between Brett Favre utilizing his soccer fame to allegedly embezzle welfare funds from Mississippi, and the league primarily legitimizing Wilson’s dicey charity by awarding him Walter Payton Man of the Yr, it raises severe questions on how a lot the league is doing to vet the charitable work gamers are doing, or whether or not they’re merely taking every thing at face worth.
Wilson must reply for why his charity, which has introduced in hundreds of thousands, has not given extra to the individuals it claims to be serving to. This can be a travesty.
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