GREG MADDUX TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL BALLER DREAM CELEBRITY POKER TOURNAMENT AT CIRCA RESORT & CASINO, APRIL 27-28
Star-Studded Charity Event Returns to Downtown Las Vegas, Benefiting Baller Dream Foundation and Young Warriors Battling Cancer
The Baller Dream Foundation and baseball legend Greg Maddux will return to Circa Resort & Casino in downtown Las Vegas for the second annual Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament, April 27-28. All net proceeds from the star-studded event will benefit the nonprofit organization dedicated to brave young warriors and their families impacted by cancer. Last year, the tournament raised more than $200,000 for the Baller Dream Foundation, with former professional football player Evan Mathis taking home first prize in the poker competition.
“Baller Dream Foundation is near and dear to my heart, and it meant so much to raise a significant amount of funds to benefit these deserving young warriors,” said Maddux. “We’re grateful to Circa for letting us bring the event back and to have a great time for an incredible cause.”
The 2024 Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament will help raise critical funds to create memorable experiences and provide financial support for pediatric and young adult “Ballers.” The two-day weekend experience will include a VIP dinner on Saturday, April 27 and Celebrity Poker Tournament on Sunday, April 28 at the resort’s 60th floor cocktail lounge, Legacy Club. Past celebrities involved in the tournament included Roger Clemens, Frank Thomas, Tito Ortiz, AJ Cole, Deryk Engelland, Daniel Carlson, Garrett Bradbury, Kenny Lofton, Wally Joyner, and more.
Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Resort & Casino said, “Last year’s Baller Dream Foundation event was a blast, and it was an easy decision to welcome them back for year two. We appreciate their tireless work in supporting these Ballers and their families. We’re excited to be a part of it all.”
Weekend Events
The weekend will include the following events:
- Plated VIP Dinner: The tournament weekend will kick off with a VIP dinner in Circa’s 3,884-square-foot Galaxy ballroom. The dinner will feature celebrity entertainment, a silent auction and tickets are available for the public to attend and dine amongst their favorite celebrities.
- Main Event Celebrity Poker Tournament at Legacy Club: The Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament will take place on Sunday, April 28 at Circa’s rooftop cocktail lounge, Legacy Club. The tournament will include a cocktail reception and striking wraparound views of the Las Vegas skyline in the lounge that pays homage to the city’s founding fathers.
The poker tournament will have players competing for a chance to win a $50,000 first place prize. It will be limited to 100 players, with celebrities seated at each table. All net proceeds raised from this event will stay local to Las Vegas and help Baller Dream Foundation provide community programming where cancer warriors feel supported and celebrated. Funds raised also will provide financial support to families experiencing a cancer diagnosis. Additional celebrity participants will be announced in the coming weeks.
Packages & Sponsorships
Packages for the weekend range from $15,000 to $75,000 and include hotel accommodations, seats at the tournament (including buy-in), marketing packages and access to the events.
Sponsorship levels include:
- Hall of Fame: The exclusive presenting sponsor goes for $75,000 and includes poker tournament access for six players, buy-in included; suite accommodations for all six players for two nights; VIP celebrity table at Saturday’s dinner; choice of a cabana at Circa’s pool amphitheater, Stadium Swim, or VIP table at the world’s largest sportsbook; and a digital marketing package.
- World Series: The $50,000 package includes poker tournament access for six players, buy-in included; hotel accommodations for all six players for two nights; VIP celebrity table at Saturday’s dinner; and a digital marketing package.
- Championship: For $30,000, this level entails poker tournament access for four players, buy-in included; standard room accommodations for all four players for two nights; celebrity table at Saturday’s dinner; and a marketing package.
- Major League: The $15,000 deal provides access for two players, buy-in included; standard room accommodations for two players for two nights; celebrity table at Saturday’s dinner; and a marketing package.
Single day pricing include:
- Saturday, April 27’s VIP Dinner:
- $15,000 – Celebrity Table at Dinner for Eight Guests
- $5,000 – Access for Two Guests
- $3,000 – Single Ticket
- Sunday, April 28’s Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament:
- $5,000 – Single Player Tournament Access with 10,000 Chip Buy-In Included
Players can purchase additional chips prior to the tournament of up to $2,500. Rebuys during the first hour of tournament play will be available up to $2,500. A total of $5,000 in rebuys is available to each player. Each $500 rebuy is a tax-deductible donation and is equivalent to 5,000 chips during the tournament.
To reserve seats and inquire about sponsorship packages, click here. Custom packages are also available and can be reserved by contacting [email protected].
Baller Dream Foundation was founded by Frank DeBlasi, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 29. He was fortunate to have a wonderful support network of family, friends and co-workers and he promised himself that if he survived, he would build a foundation for young people batting cancer. Now cancer-free, DeBlasi kept his promise and created Baller Dream Foundation, where they recognized the critical need for emotional and daily living support that is not available to all young warriors battling cancer. Baller Dream works closely with children’s hospitals across the country and provides in-hospital, volunteer-led activities to help ease the minds of warriors and support their families.
About Circa Resort & Casino
Get ready for the time of your life at Circa Resort & Casino, an adults-only casino-resort concept in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. The AAA Four Diamond Circa pays homage to Vegas’ Golden Era through vintage design, old-school hospitality and nods to the city’s history while introducing high-tech advancements and innovative amenities. The resort features upscale rooms and suites; the world’s largest sportsbook; Stadium Swim, a year-round pool aqua theater; a two-story casino; Garage Mahal, a high-tech transportation hub; the luxe Legacy Club rooftop lounge; an expansive local art collection; 35,000 sq. ft of meetings and conventions space and more. Guests can indulge at original restaurant concepts including premium steaks and seafood at Barry’s Downtown Prime from Chef Barry S. Dakake and Make It Happen Hospitality; Pan-Asian fare at 8 East from Chef Dan Coughlin; deli classics at Saginaw’s Delicatessen from restaurateur Paul Saginaw; authentic Carolina barbecue at Project BBQ; and all-star menus at Victory Burger & Wings Co. from the founding family of American Coney Island. Visit circalasvegas.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @circalasvegas to stay up to date.
About Baller Dream Foundation
Baller Dream Foundation supports pediatric and young adult cancer warriors, ages 0-29, through treatment, remission, and beyond. We assist families experiencing extreme financial hardship due to a cancer diagnosis. We offer financial support for living expenses, travel expenses to and from treatment, utilities, and other daily essentials like food and gas cards. Funds are carefully allocated after a complete evaluation of the family’s needs on a case-by-case basis. Through generous donations, Baller Dream Foundation also curates personalized “Dream Experiences” for qualifying recipients. These major gift experiences range from dream vacations, celebrity meet-and-greets, VIP access at sporting events, and many other once-in-a-lifetime adventures thanks to our partnerships.
