Obama Campaign Fundraiser Includes NBA Players; Jordan, Stern Team For Dinner Event

PRESIDENT OBAMA’s re-election campaign is “planning a fundraising ‘shoot-around’ and dinner in N.Y. on Aug. 22 featuring several NBA stars,” including Knicks F CARMELO ANTHONY, Celtics G RAJON RONDO and Wizards G JOHN WALL, according to Ken Thomas of the AP. Bobcats Owner MICHAEL JORDAN and NBA Commissioner DAVID STERN “are co-hosting a $20,000-per person fundraising dinner with the president later in the day.” The "shoot-around" will be held at the Chelsea Piers sports complex, and also will include Celtics F PAUL PIERCE, Cavaliers G KYRIE IRVING, Nets G JOE JOHNSON and Basketball HOFers PATRICK EWING and ALONZO MOURNING. WNBAer SHERYL SWOOPES and DAWN STALEY are “also participating in the event, which will cost $5,000 for a parent and child or two people to have a ‘shoot-around skills session’ with the players.” A $250 donation “provides an autograph session with the players” (AP, 8/8). For a $3 donation, a supporter “will enter the chance to win the $3,200 grand prize that includes round-trip coach-class tickets, a one-night stay at a hotel and tickets for the game” (CBSLOCAL.com, 8/7). In Ft. Lauderdale, Ira Winderman notes the "Obama Classic" fundraising game “originally had been scheduled for last Dec. 12 amid the NBA lockout, but was postponed when the lockout was settled” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 8/8)....In Charlotte, Tim Funk notes city Mayor ANTHONY FOXX and Jordan are “teaming up to co-host a ‘Welcome the World and Celebrate Charlotte’ reception on Labor Day night” during the Democratic National Convention. The reported location for “the corporate-funded and nonpartisan affair will be one of those lounges at Bank of America Stadium” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/8).