Latest news with #TakeBackSports
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pau Gasol congratulates Luka Doncic on Lakers contract extension
Los Angeles Lakers mystique is alive and kicking, as 26-year-old superstar Luka Doncic agreed to a three-year contract extension on Saturday. He will be under contract with the Lakers for at least the next three years, and he has now set himself up to receive a gargantuan payday in 2028 when he will be eligible for a supermax extension. Doncic immediately made an announcement on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account that he's giving back a bit of his newfound wealth to help others. He's going to give out $5 million to help 77 young athletes achieve their dreams, and he has also become an ambassador for the Take Back Sports initiative, which encourages kids to play sports. Former Lakers star big man and two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol congratulated Doncic on not only his extension but also his philanthropy. Gasol wasn't just a Hall of Fame player for the Lakers — he's also one of the most compassionate people who has ever played in the NBA. He has been involved in humanitarian efforts such as UNICEF and the "Hoops for St. Jude" charity program, and he and his brother Marc started the Gasol Foundation to promote healthy lifestyles and fight childhood obesity. Months ago, just after coming to the Lakers in that huge February trade, Doncic donated $500,000 to help with the recovery efforts following the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires that ravaged the Southland this past winter. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Pau Gasol congratulates Luka Doncic on Lakers contract extension


USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Pau Gasol congratulates Luka Doncic on Lakers contract extension
Los Angeles Lakers mystique is alive and kicking, as 26-year-old superstar Luka Doncic agreed to a three-year contract extension on Saturday. He will be under contract with the Lakers for at least the next three years, and he has now set himself up to receive a gargantuan payday in 2028 when he will be eligible for a supermax extension. Doncic immediately made an announcement on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account that he's giving back a bit of his newfound wealth to help others. He's going to give out $5 million to help 77 young athletes achieve their dreams, and he has also become an ambassador for the Take Back Sports initiative, which encourages kids to play sports. Former Lakers star big man and two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol congratulated Doncic on not only his extension but also his philanthropy. Gasol wasn't just a Hall of Fame player for the Lakers — he's also one of the most compassionate people who has ever played in the NBA. He has been involved in humanitarian efforts such as UNICEF and the "Hoops for St. Jude" charity program, and he and his brother Marc started the Gasol Foundation to promote healthy lifestyles and fight childhood obesity. Months ago, just after coming to the Lakers in that huge February trade, Doncic donated $500,000 to help with the recovery efforts following the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires that ravaged the Southland this past winter.


USA Today
06-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Luka Doncic is named an ambassador for ESPN's Take Back Sports initiative
Armed with a new three-year, $165 million contract extension that he agreed to on Saturday, Luka Doncic can stay in the moment, as he will be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers for at least the next three seasons. He is about to take part in the EuroBasket tournament overseas. The competition's exhibition slate of games will start on Friday, and the actual tournament will commence near the end of this month. In the meantime, Doncic is teaming up with ESPN to become a Take Back Sports ambassador in order to promote an active lifestyle for children. 'Play changed my life. Every kid deserves the chance to play, learn, grow, have fun and make friends,' said Luka Dončić. 'The Luka Dončić Foundation and ESPN's Take Back Sports initiative are focused on making youth sports more accessible and less stressful for everyone. Together, we can bring the joy back to the game.' The Take Back Sports initiative was started earlier this year in collaboration with Golden State Warriors living legend Stephen Curry and his wife Ayesha's Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation. Now Doncic is a part of this large initiative that is not only encouraging kids to be active but is also looking to prevent kids from quitting sports. Quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry from the Baltimore Ravens and retired NFL stars Eli and Peyton Manning are just a few other athletes who have also been named as ambassadors for the Take Back Sports initiative.