Latest news with #Vaccaro
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Tyreek Hill gets flirty with mystery woman in pool after wife's divorce filing
Dolphins star wideout Tyreek Hill was holding hands with an unnamed woman during a pool day in Orlando on Sunday, as seen in new photos less than two months after his estranged wife Keeta Vaccaro filed for divorce. Hill, 31, and the brunette looked flirty while swimming together in a pool at Evermore Bay Resort, according to TMZ. They were seen frolicking in the water together and going down the slide for hours, per TMZ, adding that they were laughing together after going down the 'Big Blue Ride.' 6 NFL star Tyreek Hill, whose wife has filed for divorce, looked flirty with a mystery woman in Orlando on Sunday in a video obtained by TMZ. TMZ Sports At one point, the woman, who wore a yellow cut-out swimsuit, appeared to caress Hill's back. The pair reportedly left at around 5:40 p.m. after about five hours in the pool. Hill was at the Orlando resort with some family before he briefly left to escort the woman to his cabana. Vaccaro filed for divorce, calling her marriage to Hill 'irretrievably broken,' on April 8, a day after police responded to a domestic dispute at their Miami residence, during which their 7-month-old daughter, Capri, was present. Vaccaro's mother, Alesia Vaccaro, called 911 because she feared for her daughter's safety, she said, after seeing a 'very aggressive and impulsive' Hill throw a laptop on the floor and walk toward the 35-floor balcony with her granddaughter, according to an incident report. 6 NFL star Tyreek Hill, whose wife has filed for divorce, looked flirty with a mystery woman in Orlando on Sunday. TMZ Sports 6 Keeta Vaccaro on the beach in Miami in June 2025. @ keeta_vaccaro/Instagram Hill and Vaccaro both said things did not turn physical, and police made no arrests in the incident. Police said Capri appeared to be in good health, adding they did notice a bruise on Vaccaro's upper chest. In a separate emergency court filing, Vaccaro alleged that Hill disappeared in the aftermath of their dispute for two nights only to return and take the couple's infant daughter without the mother's consent. 6 Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill and his wife Keeta Vaccaro before a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Hard Rock Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Getty Images The motion requested temporary exclusive use of the couple's home for Vaccaro, along with limiting Hill's access to Capri to 'supervised timesharing.' The Dolphins said in a statement that they were in communication with Hill at the time. Hill — who agreed to a three-year contract worth $90 million last August and has been the subject of trade rumors since the end of the season — seemingly addressed his personal life following a Dolphins practice last week. 6 NFL star Tyreek Hill, whose wife has filed for divorce, looked flirty with a mystery woman in Orlando on Sunday. TMZ Sports 'It's tough. Only thing I'm going to say is, man, money is a crazy thing for a lot of people,' Hill said, adding that he has attended church and therapy over the past month. 'But I mean for me, we just going to let the details just handle itself, you know what I'm saying? Because at the end of the day, the truth always comes out, right? 'My job is just to be a great father to all of my kids and be the best player I can be and be the best leader I can be for these guys in this locker room, man. So, I'm going to stand strong on that and I'm going to stand firm on that.' 6 Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill warms up during the team's OTAs on at Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Miami Gardens, FL. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Hill has three children with ex-fiancee Crystal Espinal — son Zev and twins Nakeem and Nyla — in addition to multiple alleged children from other relationships. Hill and Vaccaro tied the knot during Miami's bye week in November 2023, after the pair had been engaged since July 2021.
Business Insider
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Five centenarians share their secrets to a successful life and retirement: 'I refuse to think old.'
Americans who have made it to 100 years old have seen a lot: the Great Depression, the moon landing, 16 presidents, and the ups and downs of 2025. Five centenarians — people who are at least 100 years old — told Business Insider that life keeps getting better in the triple digits, and shared their advice for a successful life and retirement. This included slow and deliberate investments, keeping busy however they could, maintaining friendships, and, as one put it, "thinking young." Though these centenarians said they aren't as worried about money as much now that they're living with their children or grandchildren or in an assisted living facility, most stressed the importance of patience, giving to charity, and saving cautiously for the very long term. Census population estimates from July 2024 show about 98,000 centenarians in the US, about 75% of whom are women. This number has nearly tripled since 1990. The Census Bureau projects over 421,000 Americans to be at least 100 years old by 2054, making up 0.1% of the US population. We want to hear from you. Are you an older American comfortable sharing your retirement and work outlook with a reporter? Please fill out this quick form. Financial advice from centenarians The most important financial advice the centenarians shared was saving whatever they could and letting it grow over time. Jack Weber, 101, said one of the keys to his financial success was investment for the long term using excess funds, which he's planning to use to help his descendants. Weber, a Navy veteran who spent much of his life as a dentist, retired in 1984 after building a successful practice and investing in real estate, at one point paying mortgages on three houses. "The stock market goes up and down today. We're in a terrible downturn in the market. But in the long run, over many years, the stock market always goes up," said Weber, who lives on Long Island. Weber said starting small with investments is the way to go, adding people shouldn't go to the bank and put their money in a savings account that only gets 2% interest. "Put it in a good solid stock, and a mutual fund is probably your best bet," Weber said, acknowledging that younger generations have faced more challenges buying a home. Margaret Vaccaro, 102, added that having patience leads to better long-term financial outcomes. Vaccaro worked for much of her career in healthcare finance, including a 25-year stint as a certified director of patient accounts at a major hospital. Though she lives at an assisted living facility in Peekskill, New York, Vaccaro still manages donations for the facility as a volunteer, writing letters to residents' contacts to raise money and overseeing holiday funds for non-management employees. "If you watch your pennies, if you watch what you do, then when you need the dollars for a downpayment on that house or for a new car, you've got them," Vaccaro said. While Helen Juanita Glover's late husband of 85 years handled their finances, she now lives on her pension and Social Security. Glover said she's found fulfilment throughout by giving money not saved for bills to her church and various charities. "I don't think about inheriting or getting money and what I'm going to do with it," Glover, 107, said. "I think of who I'm going to give it to." Staying busy and active The centenarians stressed that they always had something to do and had something to strive toward, from writing a book to volunteering part-time. All discussed challenges such as outliving loved ones, and they've all discovered purpose through staying active. Barbara Fleischman, 101, still invites friends over for meals, stays up to date on current events, and said she can't "just sit still." Fleischman, who spent her career volunteering with cultural institutions in New York, said the key to enjoying life a century in has been "making things better and more interesting," continuing to surround herself with people from all generations. "I'm trying to learn something every day, and it's a very big challenge," Fleischman said. Diane Volz, 102, spends hours each day writing her life story, which she hopes to share with younger generations. She spearheads a book club, reads newspapers daily, and stays on top of politics, not too different from her career in journalism. She also still dances in her bedroom, much like she did as a dancer for MGM — where she had a cameo in "Meet Me in St. Louis." Weber packs his days with golf, swimming, and weight training — anything he can to "not sit in an armchair." After his wife's death 20 years ago, he committed to "get back into life again" instead of grieving, serving as the president of his area's Lions Club, driving to the grocery store, and sharing stories with others about his life. After getting bored during the pandemic, he authored a memoir leading up to his 100th birthday about achieving a meaningful life, and he's starring in the upcoming documentary " Lessons From 100" shot by his grandson. "You can't give up. You've got to fight and stay with it," Weber said. Maintaining strong social circles Though most of the centenarians said they've outlived their friends, many emphasized the importance of staying connected with family or seeking out younger friends and people searching for guidance. Glover said she's coped with loss by seeking out connections at her church. Much like how she gave back to her church by teaching vacation bible school and serving as an organist, she said many give back to her. After her son died in February, she moved from California to North Carolina with her granddaughter and has committed to "starting a new life" at 107. She's adjusting to her new church and community, which has taken her in with open arms. She said younger people at her church call her "Auntie Helen." Fleischman agreed that "If the community has been nice to you, you give back to the community." Fleischman said she's maintained strong social networks at her assisted living facility, regularly contacts people at museums and libraries to give talks, and acts as a support system to others in whatever way she can. The key is to be "supportive, to listen, and to care," Fleischman said, adding she's found joy in surrounding herself with friends across generations. For Weber, sometimes the quiet of his home is most fulfilling, acknowledging he wouldn't like being surrounded by strangers at a facility. His family often invites him to gatherings, while he's found connections at the Lions Club, delivering Thanksgiving baskets in recent years. Weber said the reality of aging is being "the last one standing," adding that he's lost his good friends and that "time hangs heavy on your hands." Both Weber and Volz stressed the importance of falling in love with something, whether it's a significant other, a career, or a life path. Volz said ignoring negative people and finding comfort in someone or something has driven her to stay happy. 'Thinking young' Weber said his decision to "think young" has driven him to keep pushing at 101 — and act like he's much younger. "Don't let the old man in," Weber said, adding he owns a black sweater with the phrase on it. He said it's empowered him to keep doing the physical and mental activities. Though his muscles aren't like they used to be, he stressed feeling "like a million bucks" and refusing to adopt a "can't do this or can't do that" mentality has fueled him. "I feel I'm very lucky and fortunate to be in good health and sound mind," Weber said. "Do I have some aches and pains? I sure do, but I don't talk about them and I don't let them run my life. I'm still in good enough health that I can still enjoy my rounds of golf." Vaccaro added that she always focuses on what she'd "like to do tomorrow" instead of on the past. She still embraces being a mother as though she were in her 30s, and she's continued doing what she feels is right and authentic. Glover wakes up each morning thinking as though she's "20 years younger," finding it "weird" she's outlived some of her loved ones. A "pleasant smile" goes a long way, she said, and she's embraced being as independent as she can to feel youthful. She still plays Scrabble with her grandchildren, tells knock-knock jokes to her friends, and starts every day with a donut.
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Business Standard
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Nike's best foot forward: How Sonny Vaccaro changed the game forever
Sonny Vaccaro is famous as the guy who signed Michael Jordan at Nike. But, as Mr Vaccaro writes, it would be more accurate to say that he was the guy who bet his job to get Nike to sign on Michael Jordan. Mr Vaccaro had seen a sublime, last moment shot by Jordan and knew a future great when he saw one. However, signing on Jordan for Nike was anything but easy. It meant hard-selling Jordan to Nike and Nike to Jordan. Jordan preferred Adidas and told Vaccaro that if that company came anywhere close in terms of offer to anything that Nike was offering, he would go with them. Selling Jordan to Nike was almost as tough — half of Nike's top management was not convinced that it should use the company's entire marketing budget on a single player. After all, they preferred to hedge their bets with endorsements from various players. To make things more complicated, Nike was having a bad year. It had missed the Women's Aerobics rage, on which Reebok had capitalised. It was a monumental job of persuasion, but it would go on to make billions for both Nike and Jordan. Though Mr Vaccaro would forever be known by the Jordan/Nike signing, his autobiography makes it clear that it was not what defined him. Certainly, the son of Italian immigrants to the US had an eventful life. He was, in his own words, 'a hyperkinetic bundle of spring-loaded energy'. He was athletically inclined and won a football scholarship to attend college, becoming the first in his family to go beyond school. He could have become a professional football player but back and other injuries in college ended that dream quickly. The young Sonny always had a penchant for making friends and influencing people — one reason he did not lose his scholarship. Dom Roselli, an assistant coach, instead offered to let him keep his scholarship in lieu of helping with recruitments of promising basketball players. Basketball would go on to define and shape Mr Vaccaro's life. Always a great organiser and dealmaker, he would initially put together a high school all-star basketball game and later a basketball game camp that would attract the best school players and would search a talent recruitment camp for coaches. His association with Nike started when the company was still small and largely known for athletic shoes. Converse and Adidas were the giants in the shoe game. Nike was trying to get noticed in basketball by getting some NBA players to endorse its brand. It did not have much success, according to Mr Vaccaro. He had gone with a few special shoe designs made by a friend to see if Nike would be interested in producing and marketing them. While Nike did not use any of the shoe designs, it asked him to help them do better in basketball. Mr Vaccaro gave them the idea of hiring high school coaches and giving them free shoes for players. It would be a great move and make Nike a better known name in basketball. Mr Vaccaro would eventually get hired by Nike and the Michael Jordan deal came about later. But the Nike association would not last — Phil Knight soured on Mr Vaccaro and fired him unceremoniously. Mr Vaccaro thinks his sacking may be because Mr Knight could not tolerate him becoming known as the face of Nike. Mr Knight was reticent and avoided the limelight, but he also did not want anyone to overshadow him in Nike, according to Mr Vaccaro. Mr Vaccaro was then hired by Adidas, and got them to sign Kobe Bryant, among others. But he could not get another future superstar LeBron James as Adidas reduced the offer at the last moment. LeBron James was signed up promptly by Nike. Mr Vaccaro went to work for Reebok too but obviously his peak was signing Jordan and Bryant. A movie called Air, featuring Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Ben Affleck as Phil Knight, about the Jordan-Nike story would make Vaccaro a household name. Later in life, he would take on the NCAA, the basketball association, pointing out that while it profited from basketball players, the latter hardly got any benefits. It would go to court and the NCAA would finally lose. Mr Vaccaro's book is well written. His co-author Armen Keteyian is a well-regarded sports journalist and author and may be the reason the book is a breezy read. As always, there may be other versions of the events. Mr Knight, Mr Vaccaro's former employer, gave an interview minimising the latter's role in the Jordan signing. However, the Vaccaro story seems to carry a lot of weight. It is an interesting book and gives a fair idea about not just basketball but the way US schools and colleges treat sports and why good players in baseball, basketball and American football can get college scholarships and make big money.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Jordan shot that 'changed the world'
There were 15 seconds left on the clock when a 19-year-old college basketball player launched a 16-foot winning shot that would change sports marketing forever. Watching that day was marketing executive and grassroots promoter Sonny Vaccaro. He was so impressed by what he saw that two years later he would bet his job at sports manufacturer Nike on backing this relatively untested player. That player was Michael Jordan. But not the Jordan we know now. At the point Vaccaro witnessed him score the shot that won the 1982 NCAA championship for North Carolina Tar Heels, Jordan was just a freshman. When, two years later, Vaccaro urged his bosses to spend their whole yearly basketball endorsement budget on him, Jordan was only 21 and had never competed in the NBA. And no-one was talking about his footwear. Vaccaro says his conviction in the youngster's potential was forged the moment he watched him take that shot at the Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans. "That shot changed the world because of what Michael Jordan became," the 85-year-old told BBC Sport. "When he took the shot, it convinced me that he would take any shot in the world." But it was Vaccaro who had to take a shot first. In his memoir, Legends and Soles, he describes how he had to convince his bosses to take a chance on an up-and-coming star, while competitors such as Converse were endorsing household names including Earvin 'Magic' Johnson. By that time, Vaccaro had established himself as a basketball insider with an extensive knowledge of young players. In 1964, aged 24, he established The Dapper Dan Roundball Classic - the first national high school all-star basketball game. The tournament ran under different guises until 2007, showcasing future NBA stars including Moses Malone, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love, Kobe Bryant, Patrick Ewing and Shaquille O'Neal. He also founded the ABCD basketball summer camp in 1984 - an invitational that gathered the country's highest-ranked high school players. Nevertheless, Vaccaro told BBC Sport former Nike boss Phil Knight was not satisfied with the Jordan proposal "until the last minute". Their gamble turned the company's fortunes around, transformed the way basketball was viewed globally and left an indelible print on sneaker culture worldwide. The story was popularised in 2023 film Air, in which Vaccaro is played by Matt Damon. In his book, as well as detailing the Jordan deal, he describes how he was able to spot the potential in future stars including Bryant, Tracy McGrady and James, whom he narrowly missed out on signing to an endorsement in 2003. Nike's offer to Jordan in 1984 included a guaranteed $250,000 a year for five years, plus a stake in his own line of merchandise. It would make the 21-year-old, who was the third pick in the NBA draft that year, one of the richest athletes in the world. After signing that deal, Jordan went on to become arguably the greatest NBA player of all time, winning six championships, six Finals MVPs, five regular-season MVPs and a record 10 scoring titles. His partnership with Nike also catapulted the franchise from a company that mainly dealt in running shoes into a global behemoth worth just under $30bn (£23bn), with a monopoly over the NBA. "My personal opinion is that if there is no Michael Jordan, you wouldn't even be talking about a Nike shoe company," Vaccaro said. "That's the one deal that changed America's view of basketball players and endorsements. He was magnetic. "Other people had endorsements with companies and they'd hold up a shoe and say: 'Wear this, I wear this.' Michael didn't have to hold up the shoe. He took the shot and then wore the shoe." The Air Jordan shoe, designed by Peter Moore, first retailed in 1985. By 1986, $100m worth of Air Jordan shoes and products had been sold. A pair of championship trainers worn by Jordan sold for $8m (£6.3m) at auction last year. In 1993, Vaccaro joined Adidas America. For the next decade, he battled with his former employer for the signatures of the nation's hottest up-and-coming NBA stars. One of the coups Vaccaro managed during his time with the German sportswear company was to sign 18-year-old Bryant to a $5m, five-year deal in 1996, a month before he entered the NBA straight from high school. The marketer first encountered the future five-time NBA champion when he was invited to play at one of Vaccaro's ABCD camps in 1994. "It took Kobe all of a week to blast to the top of my 'gifted' list," he writes. "Competing against the top 160 American players, along with a handful of prospects from places like China, France, Australia, Canada and Russia, Kobe was intimidated by no-one." What left a lasting impression on Vaccaro was the fact Bryant approached him at the end of the week to apologise for not having won the MVP award, despite only being 16. "I knew that this kid had that hidden thing - drive, an ambition and a belief in himself," he told BBC Sport. "He was the most confident, outward person I've ever been around in my life." Bryant returned to Vaccaro's summer camp the following year and won the MVP award. In 1997, Vaccaro signed McGrady, just as he was about to enter the NBA draft from high school as the ninth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors. McGrady, who would go on to become a seven-time NBA All-Star, had made an impression on the sports marketer at the 1996 ABCD camp. However, he almost was not included after his school coach kicked him off the team and advised Vaccaro not to deal with the youngster. "We invited Tracy because of all the backlash," Vaccaro said. "Those five days at camp changed the whole world. He was voted the number one player in camp. No-one knew his name!" The story of Vaccaro's life seems to hinge on a number of these serendipitous moments. "What if those people in Pittsburgh were to say no to me and the Dapper Dan in 1964?" he said. "One no and this life is over. You'd be looking for someone else to interview."
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The Jordan shot that 'changed the world'
There were 15 seconds left on the clock when a 19-year-old college basketball player launched a 16-foot winning shot that would change sports marketing forever. Watching that day was marketing executive and grassroots promoter Sonny Vaccaro. He was so impressed by what he saw that two years later he would bet his job at sports manufacturer Nike on backing this relatively untested player was Michael not the Jordan we know now. At the point Vaccaro witnessed him score the shot that won the 1982 NCAA championship for North Carolina Tar Heels, Jordan was just a two years later, Vaccaro urged his bosses to spend their whole yearly basketball endorsement budget on him, Jordan was only 21 and had never competed in the NBA. And no-one was talking about his says his conviction in the youngster's potential was forged the moment he watched him take that shot at the Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans."That shot changed the world because of what Michael Jordan became," the 85-year-old told BBC Sport. "When he took the shot, it convinced me that he would take any shot in the world."But it was Vaccaro who had to take a shot first. In his memoir, Legends and Soles, he describes how he had to convince his bosses to take a chance on an up-and-coming star, while competitors such as Converse were endorsing household names including Earvin 'Magic' that time, Vaccaro had established himself as a basketball insider with an extensive knowledge of young players. In 1964, aged 24, he established The Dapper Dan Roundball Classic - the first national high school all-star basketball tournament ran under different guises until 2007, showcasing future NBA stars including Moses Malone, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love, Kobe Bryant, Patrick Ewing and Shaquille O' also founded the ABCD basketball summer camp in 1984 - an invitational that gathered the country's highest-ranked high school Vaccaro told BBC Sport former Nike boss Phil Knight was not satisfied with the Jordan proposal "until the last minute".Their gamble turned the company's fortunes around, transformed the way basketball was viewed globally and left an indelible print on sneaker culture worldwide. The story was popularised in 2023 film Air, in which Vaccaro is played by Matt his book, as well as detailing the Jordan deal, he describes how he was able to spot the potential in future stars including Bryant, Tracy McGrady and James, whom he narrowly missed out on signing to an endorsement in 2003. 'No Jordan, no Nike' Nike's offer to Jordan in 1984 included a guaranteed $250,000 a year for five years, plus a stake in his own line of merchandise. It would make the 21-year-old, who was the third pick in the NBA draft that year, one of the richest athletes in the signing that deal, Jordan went on to become arguably the greatest NBA player of all time, winning six championships, six Finals MVPs, five regular-season MVPs and a record 10 scoring partnership with Nike also catapulted the franchise from a company that mainly dealt in running shoes into a global behemoth worth just under $30bn, external (£23bn), with a monopoly over the NBA."My personal opinion is that if there is no Michael Jordan, you wouldn't even be talking about a Nike shoe company," Vaccaro said. "That's the one deal that changed America's view of basketball players and endorsements. He was magnetic."Other people had endorsements with companies and they'd hold up a shoe and say: 'Wear this, I wear this.' Michael didn't have to hold up the shoe. He took the shot and then wore the shoe."The Air Jordan shoe, designed by Peter Moore, first retailed in 1985. By 1986, $100m, external worth of Air Jordan shoes and products had been sold.A pair of championship trainers worn by Jordan sold for $8m (£6.3m) at auction last year. 'Kobe was most confident person I've been around' In 1993, Vaccaro joined Adidas America. For the next decade, he battled with his former employer for the signatures of the nation's hottest up-and-coming NBA of the coups Vaccaro managed during his time with the German sportswear company was to sign 18-year-old Bryant to a $5m, five-year deal in 1996, a month before he entered the NBA straight from high marketer first encountered the future five-time NBA champion when he was invited to play at one of Vaccaro's ABCD camps in 1994."It took Kobe all of a week to blast to the top of my 'gifted' list," he writes. "Competing against the top 160 American players, along with a handful of prospects from places like China, France, Australia, Canada and Russia, Kobe was intimidated by no-one."What left a lasting impression on Vaccaro was the fact Bryant approached him at the end of the week to apologise for not having won the MVP award, despite only being 16."I knew that this kid had that hidden thing - drive, an ambition and a belief in himself," he told BBC Sport. "He was the most confident, outward person I've ever been around in my life."Bryant returned to Vaccaro's summer camp the following year and won the MVP award. Taking a chance on McGrady In 1997, Vaccaro signed McGrady, just as he was about to enter the NBA draft from high school as the ninth overall pick by the Toronto who would go on to become a seven-time NBA All-Star, had made an impression on the sports marketer at the 1996 ABCD camp. However, he almost was not included after his school coach kicked him off the team and advised Vaccaro not to deal with the youngster."We invited Tracy because of all the backlash," Vaccaro said. "Those five days at camp changed the whole world. He was voted the number one player in camp. No-one knew his name!"The story of Vaccaro's life seems to hinge on a number of these serendipitous moments."What if those people in Pittsburgh were to say no to me and the Dapper Dan in 1964?" he said. "One no and this life is over. You'd be looking for someone else to interview."
