This is the kindest thing Ron anyone has ever done. No one can top this kind act. Hats off to you, RonRon.
Getty Images | Photo By Ethan Miller
ESPN: For 99.9 percent of the players in the NBA, July 1, 2011 is circled on their calendars as the start of a potential lockout if the player’s union and the league’s owners can’t come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement before the current one expires on June 30.
For Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest, July 1 marks the day he will announce just how much of his 2011-12 salary he will donate to charities to benefit mental health awareness.
It takes a dedicated 0.1 percentile-type of person to consider giving away a large percentage of the $6.79 million he is contracted to make next season.
“Either all or some,” Artest said about his donation plans prior to the Lakers’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. “You’ll know July 1.”
The 12-year veteran, who has made more than $52 million in salary through his first 11 seasons, refrained from providing much further detail, wishing to focus on the season and saying that he has already received enough publicity for raffling off his 2010 NBA championship ring on his personal website for charity.
As of last week, the raffle had already raised $464,525, according to Artest’s manager. The winner will be selected on Christmas Day when the Lakers host the Miami Heat.
Artest said his wife and family are behind him with his decision.
“We lost $7 million before,” Artest said, alluding to the money he lost while he was suspended for 73 regular-season games and 13 playoff games following the incident when he went into the stands in Detroit. “At least [this time] it’s going to something good.”
Recent Comments