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The Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Why are members of the Super Bowl champion Eagles promoting a right-wing Christian wealth scheme?
The thousands who gathered on Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia weren't there for a basketball or hockey game. Instead, the 21,000-seat arena played host to a very different spectacle. The stage was bathed in lights, Christian pop thundered from the speakers and the congregation filed in to hear not just sermons, but also strategies: how to get right with God and get rich doing so. The headliners were five current and former members of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Nick Sirianni, star running back Saquon Barkley, second-year cornerback Cooper DeJean, and longtime fan favorites Brandon Graham and Brian Dawkins all appeared on promotional materials for Life Surge, a touring Christian financial seminar that promises attendees a blueprint 'to grow and use wealth for Kingdom impact'. Ticket packages offering photo ops with the players sold out in advance. In the extended afterglow of the Eagles' Super Bowl beatdown of the Kansas City Chiefs, it was a marketing no-brainer: there may not be five public figures with higher popularity at the moment in Philadelphia, a city where sports have always meant a little too much. Yet for all the spiritual rhetoric and NFL star power, Life Surge was built on a business model repeatedly criticized in investigative reports by the Guardian, the Philadelphia Inquirer and others as one that uses faith and celebrity as bait for high-cost financial mentorships. The man behind the operation, Joe Johnson, is a self-described 'serial entrepreneur' whose past ventures have been subject to lawsuits, tax controversies and accusations of exploiting Christian values for profit. Johnson has declined requests for interviews but told the Inquirer, which published a detailed investigation into Life Surge last week, that his failures taught him to become a better business leader. Yet critics describe a pattern that goes back years. Johnson was previously an executive at Get Motivated, a now defunct seminar company that sold expensive investing classes wrapped in conservative Christian branding. One former attendee, Amy Wolfe, said Johnson persuaded her to loan him $12m under the guise of mentorship. She says she never got it back. 'They're predators who want to be your mentors,' Wolfe told the Inquirer. 'It happened to me.' The model has hardly changed. Life Surge offers low-cost entry – sometimes as little as $19 – but attendees are soon encouraged to sign up for $97 'starter' seminars, then pitched on advanced training packages that can run as high as $40,000. Credit card applications are often made available on-site and attendees have reported being encouraged to cash out retirement accounts or go into debt. One man, a Christian minister named John Simmons, compared the atmosphere to a timeshare presentation. When he posted a critical YouTube review of his experience, Life Surge sent him cease-and-desist letters and takedown notices. Social media platforms like Reddit are full of horror stories claiming the organization preys on the faith of financially naive Christians. On Saturday in Philadelphia, across the street from the stadium where the Eagles will raise their second Super Bowl banner in September, the event's branding emphasized faith, success and patriotism, but carefully avoided any official association with the team or the NFL. Earlier versions of promotional artwork used team-style typography and labelled Sirianni the 'Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach'. Those references were scrubbed after questions arose in March. A team spokesperson went on to tell the Inquirer that the Eagles had no affiliation with the event. Still, the message was clear: these were NFL champions backing the product. When DeJean was asked about the Life Surge event after an Eagles practice session last week, the Super Bowl hero said simply, 'They came to my management team'. The other four did not comment. A Life Surge spokesperson confirmed that all five were paid a flat appearance fee but declined to say how much. This was not a one-off. A 2022 Guardian report from a Life Surge event in Denver painted a strikingly similar picture: a day of worship music, motivational speakers and calls to 'surge your wealth' as a Christian duty. 'Grow your faith to grow your business,' one session instructed. The former NFL star and evangelical hero Tim Tebow, reality TV star Willie Robertson of Duck Dynasty and other conservative Christian luminaries like Kayleigh McEnany filled out the program, while the crowd dined on Chick-fil-A. At one point, a speaker asked, 'Why on earth are we not buying Twitter?' and encouraged the audience to pool their resources to fight 'the devil' taking over American culture. Financial success, attendees were told, was not just personal; it was spiritual warfare. Life Surge's Philadelphia spectacle also echoed a more recent playbook in Columbus, the college town where the Ohio State Buckeyes football team inspires a religious fervor. There, the organization tapped into local sporting legends with former Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer, broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit and several Ohio State football players. According to the Rooster, attendees paid up to $997 for a ticket, with a chance to win photo ops with the stars. Meanwhile, speakers pitched $97 investment classes on the arena floor and sent card readers through the concession lines. The football figures did not directly endorse the seminars, but their proximity to the brand helped attract and validate the crowd. The same cosmetic firewall between pitchmen and athletes was visible in both cities. Sign up to Soccer with Jonathan Wilson Jonathan Wilson brings expert analysis on the biggest stories from European soccer after newsletter promotion At every stop, Life Surge appears to follow the same formula: emotionally charged Christian messaging, conservative talking points and financial promises, all propped up by local sports heroes. It functions as a touring prosperity gospel roadshow, while denying that's what it is. Speakers at recent tour stops have included some of the NFL's most recognizable names, such as Joe Montana and Emmitt Smith, while the Hall of Famer turned broadcaster Michael Strahan is on the slate for next month's event in Newark, New Jersey. Beneath the stagecraft and scripture, Johnson's record tells a different story. His previous companies, including the Welfont Group, a real estate firm that marketed dubious tax shelters, have been sued repeatedly. Public records show at least six cases where courts found that appraisals were inflated to artificially boost deductions, ultimately costing clients millions. Johnson insists he left Welfont before the lawsuits began and says he has no knowledge of pending legal actions. But court documents show the deals in question happened while he was CEO. In addition to Welfont, Johnson ran a series of Christian-themed nonprofits and investment initiatives that folded amid controversy. One charity, which claimed to offer microloans in developing countries, spent most of its budget on executive salaries and fundraising, according to a Tampa Bay Times investigation. Another declared bankruptcy with $16m in debts. Despite this trail of ventures, Life Surge has flourished since its 2019 launch in Palmetto, Florida, not as a ministry but as a for-profit limited liability company. It sold more than 100,000 tickets for events in more than two dozen cities last year and boasts a 98% satisfaction rate, according to internal surveys. Its spokespeople point to glowing Google reviews and Trustpilot scores. Yet the pattern of complaints persists, from attendees who felt blindsided by the costs, to critics who say the seminars mask old-fashioned hucksterism in a veneer of righteousness. For the Eagles' devoted supporters, many who wore team-branded gear to Saturday's event, the presence of their heroes on that stage was surely a thrill. For Life Surge, it was a promotional coup. But for those in the audience already struggling financially, the real cost may not be clear until long after the music fades and the arena empties out. Neither Life Surge nor the Eagles responded to requests for comment from the Guardian for this story.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"He's hearing voices in his head": Shannon Sharpe's bizarre outburst on podcast sparks mental health concerns amid $50 million lawsuit
Shannon Sharpe has been accused of sexual assault and has been sued for $50 million.(Image via Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Shannon Sharpe might be one of the most talked about NFL legends at the moment. The former NFL player has been accused of sexual assault and is facing a lawsuit worth a whopping $50 million. But Shannon Sharpe has strongly denied such claims and has issued a statement that says his relationship with the accuser was 'consensual'. Amidst this mess, a confusing clip of Shannon Sharpe has gone viral and fans feel something is 'wrong' with the NFL legend. Shannon Sharpe's bizarre moment has fans worried about his mental health — CountryAssDot (@CountryAssDot) Recently, on Shannon Sharpe's episode of Nightcap with Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson and NBA star Joe Johnson, as the trio discussed about Shedeur Sanders, suddenly Sharpe snapped. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo It is unclear why Shannon Sharpe snapped but for a few seconds, the NFL legend turned his face towards the left side and yelled 'Shut the f*** up!' Seconds later, Shannon Sharpe faced the camera and laughed while both Chad Johnson and Joe Johnson were visibly shocked by this gesture. Now, it seems like fans have a lot of theories for it. A fan took to X and commented, 'Ain't no next door, this man hearing voices in his head lmaaaaooo', while another fan joked, 'Sometimes them voices too loud'. A third fan commented, 'That boy Shay Shay hearing voices 😭', while another fan wrote, 'Lmao f**k going on wit Shannon it's like he purposely self sabotaging 😂' A fifth user commented, 'Whatever they say he did…he did that sh*t!', while another fan posted, 'Joe Johnson's expression is my expression 🤣' Another fan wrote, 'That's how he was talking to that white girl that's why he in trouble now', while a seventh fan joked, 'They ain't know if he meant one of them they both froze just in case.' Shannon Sharpe has refused to watch his s*x tape with the young woman Shannon Sharpe's sexual assault case has just been getting more complicated every day. While the NFL legend maintains that he is innocent, fans are still trolling him for getting involved with a woman who is less than half of his age and much younger than his own children. Shannon Sharpe had previously accused the young woman's lawyer of filing the lawsuit based on a s*x tape of the two which he claims was 'edited' and brought down to 30 seconds to make it look 'non consensual'. As per TMZ Sports, Jane Doe's lawyer, Tony Buzbee said, 'The only reason you know about the existence of a video recording is that Mr. Sharpe specifically referenced it in his bulls*** statement. The contents of the video was shared during the mediation process with Sharpe's attorneys.' Shannon Sharpe and his lawyers have yet to comment on this matter. Also Read: Shannon Sharpe under fire after resurfaced clip shows $30K wedding limit for daughters while offering $10M settlement to Jane Doe
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Suns' failed season symbolizes a deeper hopelessness
The 2024–25 Phoenix Suns season wasn't just a disappointment. It was a profound failure. And maybe we're still too close to it, too entangled in the moment to fully grasp its place in the broader arc of Suns' history. Without the distance of time or the benefit of hindsight, there's no need for a poll to ask if this was the most disheartening chapter the franchise has written. The answer would be an overwhelming, almost unanimous yes. Disappointment wears many faces in Phoenix. It's the sting of a Game 7 meltdown after a 64-win season, the hollow ache of a 2–0 NBA Finals lead slipping through trembling fingers, the helplessness of watching a 19-win roster limp through winter nights with no hope in sight. It's the pain of seeing a season's potential shattered by injury, like in 2000, or by a single unlucky break — like Joe Johnson's in 2005 — that changed everything. It's the slow-motion heartbreak of John Paxson's dagger, of Mario Elie's kiss of death, of Tim Duncan's impossible three, of Metta World Peace ripping your heart out and laying it gently in the basket. Advertisement So yeah, disappointment is the norm in Phoenix. It's practically woven into the fabric of the franchise. But is this the most disappointing season ever? Only time, and a little distance, will offer enough clarity to answer that question. What I do know is that this season represents something far darker than just disappointment. It symbolizes hopelessness. In every heartbreak before this, there was always something to cling to. A great team that came up just short. A promising young core. Draft capital. A future you could believe in, even if the present let you down. But this season? This was the all-in gamble. The Suns traded the future for Kevin Durant, then doubled down and threw the scraps of what remained into the pot for Bradley Beal. Two seasons later, they've come up with nothing. Not a playoff series win. Not even a Play-In berth. Just a bloated payroll, a barren asset cupboard, and a franchise staring into the abyss, unsure of how to climb out. And that's where the real hopelessness sets in. Because the Suns didn't just trade the future for a mediocre present. They traded it for this. For a team spinning its wheels, trying to play catch-up in a race it used to lead. They had a young, exciting, hungry core — one that was building something real — and they threw it away for big names, big contracts, and even bigger egos. Advertisement Is there a way out? Sure. There's always a path forward. But standing here, in the smoldering aftermath, it feels like the weight of Jupiter is pressing down on this franchise's chest. Trade Durant? Fire Budenholzer? Renegotiate Beal's deal? Nail a late first-round pick? Each move feels critical. Each step has to be flawless. It's not just about getting back to being competitive. It's about restoring belief. Rebuilding trust. Giving the fan base something to dream about again. Because right now, that's what's been lost the most: hope. I was in the arena against the Golden State Warriors last Tuesday night, and I don't think I've ever felt more deflated as a fan. There were cheers, sure. But they weren't for the Phoenix Suns. They were for the Warriors. And as I looked around, it became clear: Suns fans? They're lost. Hopeless. Disappointed. Too tired to boo. Too disengaged to care. Will time tell if this is the most disappointing season in the franchise's history? Maybe. But right now, all I feel is hopelessness. Sure, I'll continue watching, keep an eye on the transactions, and keep brainstorming ways to get this team back on track. Why? Because we're fans. Fanatic is what it stands for. We're fanatical about the purple and orange. This team is part of who we are—our soul, our identity. Advertisement But never in my years of following the Suns have I entered an offseason with this much despair. It feels as though the wrongs of this season can't be righted for at least a decade. And it's going to take something extraordinary to shock me out of this funk. But I'll hold on to that faint hope that maybe we can still be surprised. Listen to the latest podcast episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. Stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, Castbox. Please subscribe, rate, and review. More from
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
7x NBA All-Star Joe Johnson to join BIG3's Detroit Amplifiers
BIG3 basketball is arriving to Little Caesars Arena this summer, and it's bringing a former NBA All Star with it. The newly established Detroit Amplifiers announced Wednesday their pre-draft roster ahead of the upcoming BIG3 season, and it features seven-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson as the centerpiece. Advertisement Johnson played for seven NBA teams across 18 seasons from 2001-22 and is no stranger to BIG3 basketball, winning the league's MVP while leading the Triplets to a title in 2019. The Detroit Pistons briefly signed Johnson after the 2019 BIG3 season but waived him soon after without Johnson having appeared in a game. Johnson played in one NBA game with the Boston Celtics − the team that originally drafted him − in 2021 before retiring from the NBA. The Amplifiers' roster also features EuroLeague veteran Jeremy Pargo and former NBA forward Darnell Jackson. They will be coached by NBA Hall-of-Famer and Detroit native George Gervin. The Amplifiers also released their color scheme, wordmark and logo, highlighting the city's musical history with a logo inspired by the dial on an amplifier. Primary logo for the BIG3's Detroit Amplifiers The BIG3 season tips off on June 14 with games broadcasted on CBS. The Amplifiers will host their first Detroit event at Little Caesars Arena on July 25, with game times to be determined. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Former NBA star Joe Johnson to join Detroit's BIG3 franchise
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Inspired Closets Launches Augmented Reality Experience, Envision
HOLLAND, Mich., April 14, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Inspired Closets is thrilled to announce the launch of its cutting-edge Augmented Reality (AR) solution, Envision. Designed to transform how customers see and implement home organization systems, this innovative feature allows users to visualize organization solutions in their own space, ensuring the perfect fit and style before making a purchase. Customers often encounter the challenge of imagining how organizational solutions will fit and look in their living spaces. Traditional closet-buying experiences provide pictures and dimensions, but these methods fall short of offering a real sense of how products will integrate into users' homes. This gap can lead to dissatisfaction, returns, and the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty. To address this challenge, Envision bridges the gap between digital shopping and physical spaces by leveraging AR technology to allow customers to view potential organization solutions in their actual spaces, as well as experiment with different products, styles, and configurations before spending a thing. "After using Inspires Closets' AR feature, I can't imagine going back to the old way of shopping for home organization products. Being able to see exactly how a shelving unit fits in my cluttered garage or how a new closet system will look in my bedroom has changed the game. Envision took away all the guesswork, making my home organization project a breeze. I'm not only satisfied with the products I purchased; I'm thrilled to see my space transformed exactly how I envisioned it," said Inspired Closets customer, Joe Johnson. About Inspired Closets: Inspired Closets designs and installs custom closet and home organizational solutions to replace disorganized, stressful spaces with organized, inspired ones. From closets to the garage and everything in between, Inspired Closets listens to customers, designs with intent, and manages projects from start to finish to create custom storage solutions that transform any space. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Inspired Closets616-638-8163caleya@ Sign in to access your portfolio
