So the Lakers walk home proud this year as they leave Orlando with the 2009 NBA trophy. Kobe also gets his well deserved MVP trophy with Shaq no where to be found or heard from.. Nevermind that, we want to party!
With the city and state being as broke as we are, who is going to sponsor our parade this year? Like every year they win the championship, people like you and I! The tax payers! It would be great to attend the Lakers Parade, but it so happens to be on a Wednesday, while we are at work. Miss work and call in PTO day. Who can afford that?
How much would it cost to host this party? Well in the last Lakers Parade for their 2002 championship, it cost the city $1.1 million for the parade itself including clean up, police and traffic officers. This time around, we don’t have that kind of loose change.
Fortunately for us, some of the city’s wealthiest people live here in Los Angeles. Donations from them, the Lakers and AEG, “one of the sports and entertainment presenters in the world,” totals over $1.8 million. Not to sweat it, this huge chunk of change can be beneficial for all in exchange for some camera time of course.
A philanthropy donation for branding to some. An opportunity to gain link juice for others. But an opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate a common ground during these times of hardship.
Go Lakers! Los Angeles proudly supports the Basketball Champions of 09!
Jolé Nguyen on June 17, 2009
Not that I’m not all for a party. But 1.8 million, really? How is it that we can spend that kind of money on a parade, but not to help the education system. I’m just saying…