[Tommy]

Bodog.com To Pay Allen Iverson's Fines, Calvin Ayre to Match Payment to Charities


October 19, 2005

Bodog.com offered today to cover any fines Allen Iverson receives for violating the NBA’s dress code this season. The online gaming and entertainment giant also plans to extend similar offers to all NBA players.

Even if Iverson pays his own fines, Bodog.com Founder and CEO Calvin Ayre will match any of the fines levied to the Philadelphia 76ers’ superstar in the form of donations to Iverson’s Crossover Foundation, which supports underprivileged youth in the inner city.

“I can understand the frustration felt by the many basketball players who feel that they have been forced to conform with the league’s new dress code,” says Ayre. “ Iverson and other NBA players have suggested that they will not abide by the league’s dress code, and Bodog.com will offer to reimburse any fines levied, and match the payment with a donation to each player’s charity of choice.”

Ayre was referring to Monday’s announcement by the league that a dress code will go into effect at the start of the regular season on November 1. The basketball pros will be expected to wear business-casual attire whenever they participate in team or league activities, including arriving at games, leaving games, conducting interviews and making promotional appearances. Teams and players will be subject to fines for violating the dress code. The amount of the fines has not yet been announced.

Although some teams already have a dress code, the fact that the league has imposed this rule is controversial. Iverson, the league’s leading scorer last season, has said he would fight a dress code. Players such as Denver Nuggets center Marcus Camby and Charlotte Bobcats guard Brevin Knight have requested stipends from the league to offset the clothing costs.

“I have a great amount of respect for the charitable role Mr. Iverson and other basketball stars play within their communities,” says Ayre. “Many of these sports stars are role models, and actively participate in charities benefiting the underprivileged youth of the American inner cities. There are players who will undoubtedly be fined by the league for dress-code infractions, so it makes sense to put the money to good use.”

Bodog has supported a number of charities during the past year. In April 2005, Bodog.com was the major sponsor of the LA Lakers Youth Foundation’s Second Annual Casino Night. A handful of film celebrities, poker professionals and L.A. Lakers were on hand to compete in the charity poker tournament. In July 2005, Bodog teamed with the Fisher House foundation to host a “thank you to the troops” charity concert and poker tournament, benefiting the men and women of the U.S. military. Recently, Bodog has taken part in events to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina and teamed with film star Shannon Elizabeth in raising funds for animal rescue.

For the more information, please contact Media Relations at 1-866-591-0217

[naught33]

i think that is ridiculous....why dont they match every players fines...stupid...wear a fucking suit and stop bitching AI jesus

[Tommy]

They are they said Naught. Why change it now is what I dont understand. If they were going to do something it should of been 9-10 years ago when they started dressing like this on the sidelines. Its not just AI, its almost everyone dressing like this now a days. Since AI is the biggest name dressing like this they pointed him out. I like what AI said. They should concentrate on the way the players act rather than what they wear Ala Artest episode last year.

[Tommy]

I don't think that they should dress like someone thier not. Their freakin basketball players not corporate business men lol

[dananderson32]

EVERY MAN SHOULD WEAR A SUIT!!!! INCLUDING AI THAT SCUMBAG!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!

[naught33]

haha dan, yeah these babies want to whine about wearing a suit when they are making 5000000 million...jesus, ill wear a fucking diaper on the court for that kind of money....they didnt put in a dress code 9-10 yrs ago because it wasnt an issue, right now some teams have them others dont, the NBA decided they wanted something uniform that all teams followed, i dont see what the big deal is...bottom line is the NBA is a business, the players are employees, they do what the NBA says, much like if you work for IBM and they tell u to wear bra and panties you do the same thing and show up to work. When you are in that high of a position and in the public eye at least try to look like you care, ppl are watching you all the time, no need to have your shorts around your ankles w your boxers hanging out, etc...i of all ppl know when im not at work ill wear the most lounging and comfy clothes possible, but when i have to work or be around a place of business i put on the clothes to match

[dananderson32]

ahhh i cant say the same im a scumbag/degenerate 24/7 !!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[naught33]

trust me man, u think i like having to shave or throw on a suit all the time, fuck no, but you do what the boss says, they pay my bills ill dance around naked if they ask me to ....and no dan, no homo jokes here cause thats where i draw the line, i wouldnt do any of that crap

[Tommy]

Yeah, I know what your saying Naught but it wasnt like this and all of a sudden they change the dress code. I don't care because its not me but its really how someone acts rather than what they wear if you want to set an example. Like AI said if a Murderer wears a suit hes still a murderer. Same thing with White people dressing Hip-hop, they are still white lol. You said you wear what what matches your workplace, does a suit really match the NBA player? I think its too late if they are trying to set some kind of example, they should of did this before it became an issue rather than doing it when it is an issue which I think its not. What if Stephen Jackson and Artest were wearing suits during that episode, does that make what they did OK? I think its stupid for the change, should of did it a long time ago if they were gonna do it. I hope AI doesnt wear a suit, I want his punk ass wearing a jersey on the court playing

[naught33]

i know what youre saying tommy...honestly i dont see what the big deal is either way....they are paid by the nba so they have to abide by the rules...hence they have to change the way they dress...i understand both sides of this arguement...im just busting your chops cause you posted it about AI, lol....go knicks!

[Tommy]

I posted it but its from Bodog. Not from me I just thought it was pretty interesting that they would do it.

[pwn3dyo]

they should beable to dress how they want. They play basketball for a living, it's a profession, but its much different than a lawyer, or someone who works in an office. That being said, the NBA has the final say. I don't agree with it but they set the rules, and if you want to play in the NBA you should abide by them.

[naught33]

very well put PWN...couldnt said it better myself!

[$@M]

I still can't imagine those playerz wearing the suits to the game and in press conference... I'm not used to it, and i don't think i ever will... just doesn't feel right...

[Tommy]

I have went to some Sixers games when AI was hurt and one the sidelines. The dude can't be no more than 5'9. They list him as 6'0 but they are way off. He looks like an 18 year old kid the way he dresses sometimes. The close he wears are 10x too big for him LOL. Its funny, looks like some of the dudes I used to chill with in high school. AI is the man though! Best under 6'0 player in the history of the NBA, end of discussion!!!!

[Tommy]

I don't care how many shots AI takes. He is 4th ALL TIME in career PPG behind Wilt 7'0, Eldgin Baylor 7'0, and Michael Jordan 6'6 and then AI 5'9.