One of the first things most professional athletes do is set up a charitable foundation. It’s part of the script, good for public relations and tax purposes.
And many athletes use those for the greater good, to give back to their hometowns or a cause near their hearts. But the New York Post reports that some athletes aren’t as charitable as they may seem.
The story mentions that Jets left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson’s foundation pays his mother more than $90,000 in salary and benefits, while donating just less than $40,000, according to tax documents. The foundation’s accountant said there were also donations of more than $25,000 to churches, and of bicycles to kids.
Jets outside linebacker Aaron Maybin also promotes a non-profit to help the poor, but his charity is registered as a for-profit company. The report also mentions Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora’s “Strike 4 A Cure,” as being “defunct for years.”
There’s an incredible amount of good work being done by so many athletes, but stories such as this one contribute to a greater cynicism, that many are just doing it for the P.R.