Ray Wooldridge donates $1 Million to City

Way to go Ray!
:clapper: :jump: :clapper:

Co-owner of the Hornets donates $1 million to New Orleans
05/24/2002
Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS -- Ray Wooldridge, co-owner of the New Orleans Hornets, has donated $1 million to be used for educational and recreational programs for youngsters in the city.

The money, from the Wooldridge Family Foundation, will be paid over a 10-year period, Mayor Ray Nagin said on Friday.

Wooldridge and George Shinn are moving the NBA team from Charlotte, N.C., to New Orleans.

"If you're going to live in a city, you have to be a part of what makes it better," Wooldridge said. "And there's no better way to truly make a difference than through our children."

Ray:

You the man!!!

:clapper: :jump: :clapper: :ipartym: :iparty: :ipartytm:

he is poisoning the market already

Very nice gesture, Ray.

That's called "making a connection with your fan base." Glad you finally learned how that works.

What does this coullion think he is doing? Showing up the fans already. Here I was prepared to announce my donation of (the infamous quarter) .25 cents. Thats right. More than 8 times the wealth of the city, and he steals my THUNDER with this million dollar pledge. I'll see it when I believe it. I have been warned. Every time Ray talks, I know he is lying. These organizations should consider the source and realize they will never see the money. I am sure the article about Silas buying a house is Ray propoganda as well. Everyone knows he will fire Silas and hire Fratello. I have been warned. I know these things. Finally, I will not count on watching Baron play. I am sure Ray will trade him for the rights to Manute Bol should he decide to quit his celeberty boxing career and make another run with the NBA. I know these things. This very caring group of people came here just for my benefit and spent months trying to prepare me for this kind of stuff from Ray. Thank goodness they did. If they hadn't taken the time to warn and worry about me, they may have figured out how to keep the team.:cool:

Maybe there are a few more people like this that Charlotte wants to run out of town. :)

Keep on sending these "evil" millionaires our way Charlotte. Thanks Ray, what a stand up guy. :clapper:

Good move Ray.:clapper:

He's a stand-up guy, for sure.

Does anybody still doubt that he never had any intention of trying to keep the Hornets in Charlotte?

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Originally posted by Pirate1974
Does anybody still doubt that he never had any intention of trying to keep the Hornets in Charlotte?

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:rolleyes: Who cares anymore. Obviously you people in Charlotte are still obsessed about this nonsense. It's time to let go, the Hornets left, they reside in New Orleans now. Thanks Charlotte. :D

You guys are a hoot.

I keep saying I'm not going to waste any more time with this board, but it's so damn funny I can't stay away.

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Originally posted by Pirate1974
You guys are a hoot.

I keep saying I'm not going to waste any more time with this board, but it's so damn funny I can't stay away.

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Nah, most if not all of your posts have been pretty cool here, but if you want to make sure you stay away from this board, just get yourself banned. ;)

The one thing nobody in Charlotte can say is that the team never did anything to help the community. I am suprised that Woolridge did this and not Shinn. I don't recall Woolridge ever donating anything in Charlotte, so if you get him in the act and Shinn keeps up what he's done here in the past...you guys should make out like bandits.

That's pretty cool that Wooldridge did that. It really says alot. I wonder if Tom Benson will follow through with anything like that???? lol!!!

Woohoo, go Wooly!

Estimated to make $3mill in the next year and donating $100,000!! Way to go Ray, you da man! :D

no sour grapes, just would be more impressive if it was $1mill in 1 year. But, I guess spreading it over 10 years almost guarantees the team will stay for a long while.

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What does this coullion think he is doing? Showing up the fans already. Here I was prepared to announce my donation of (the infamous quarter) .25 cents. Thats right. More than 8 times the wealth of the city, and he steals my THUNDER with this million dollar pledge. I'll see it when I believe it. I have been warned. Every time Ray talks, I know he is lying. These organizations should consider the source and realize they will never see the money. I am sure the article about Silas buying a house is Ray propoganda as well. Everyone knows he will fire Silas and hire Fratello. I have been warned. I know these things. Finally, I will not count on watching Baron play. I am sure Ray will trade him for the rights to Manute Bol should he decide to quit his celeberty boxing career and make another run with the NBA. I know these things. This very caring group of people came here just for my benefit and spent months trying to prepare me for this kind of stuff from Ray. Thank goodness they did. If they hadn't taken the time to warn and worry about me, they may have figured out how to keep the team.

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When I first read the article I thought the same thing . . .Harvery that is one hell of a post. I'm getting worried, everything that has happened since the move has been positive. Talk of resigning BD, Silas buying a house, and Ray donating money has made me wonder, when are they going to tell us to bend over and take it. Hasn't happened yet; nor do I think it ever will. Whatever anyone says, everything that has happened so far with Hornets has been positive.

Thank you Ray. Very nice commitment.

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Originally posted by alon504
That's pretty cool that Wooldridge did that. It really says alot. I wonder if Tom Benson will follow through with anything like that???? lol!!!

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Hey I know Benson isn't the most popular guy right now. And I think he made a huge blunder by firing Mueller. But he's been very philanthropic in the New Orleans area...since long before he bought the Saints. I know that's hard to believe...and a lot of folks just flat out don't want to believe it because it's hard to demonize someone when they do something good.

But Benson's donations are usually done very low key. But he has given NORD a lot of money over the years. He also has given Brother Martin High School and Loyola University a lot of money. He has a charitable foundation that gives out quite a bit of money every year to various charities and organizations in the New Orleans area (Bridge House, Covenant House, Children's Hospital).

Though he is often painted as being a miser (and it's obvious that he can be a penny-pinching, hard-nosed businessman), he is quite generous when it comes to community activities and charities. He just doesn't seek the spotlight when he does make donations.

I'm not trying to minimize what Wooldridge has done. He, too, could well be a very generous man. And this million dollar gift is very generous and is much needed. But he's got a long way to go to equal Tom Benson's record of giving in the New Orleans community. It's just unfair to Benson (despite his reputation for doing things on the cheap with the Saints) to praise one gift by Wooldridge and then act as if Benson has never done anything similar for this area. Nothing could be further from the truth.

He just doesn't issue press releases when he does it.

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Originally posted by Haybud
Woohoo, go Wooly!

Estimated to make $3mill in the next year and donating $100,000!! Way to go Ray, you da man! :D

no sour grapes, just would be more impressive if it was $1mill in 1 year. But, I guess spreading it over 10 years almost guarantees the team will stay for a long while.

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Haybud, that's one donation made to one group. Everyone knows based on the Hornets past charity record in Charlotte that the team and its owners spread many donations throughout the community.

I know you're still upset the NBA left Charlotte, but give the freakin' negativity a break. :rolleyes:

More on the donation from the T-P

Hornets owner gives $1 million to N.O.
Schools, recreation programs to benefit
05/25/02
By John Pope
Staff writer/The Times-Picayune

Surrounded by squealing, clapping schoolchildren, Hornets co-owner Ray Wooldridge announced Friday he will give New Orleans $1 million for education and recreation programs throughout the city.

The Wooldridge family's foundation will parcel out the money over the next 10 years. No decision has been made on who the first recipients will be, how much they will get or when that information will be disclosed, Wooldridge said after the outdoor presentation at Mary D. Coghill Elementary School.

Calling the gift "a very substantial and very generous donation to the city of New Orleans" Mayor Ray Nagin said, "We are happy that the Hornets' owner has stepped forward and established himself in the community and hit the ground running."

Representatives of education and recreation showed up for the afternoon event, including Orleans Parish School Board members Gail Glapion and Jimmy Fahrenholtz, as well as Nancy D. Broadhurst, executive director of Friends of NORD, a private organization supporting the New Orleans Recreation Department's playgrounds and programs.

They were outnumbered by dozens of Coghill's pupils and teachers, who not only shook hands with their guests and sought autographs but also served punch and cookies and put a basketball atop the rostrum.

"We are excited and delighted in your interest in all young people in the city of New Orleans," sixth-grader Raven Deaton said in welcoming Nagin and Wooldridge.

Wooldridge, who has coached children's teams and plans to hold basketball camps for local youngsters, stressed the importance of community involvement during brief remarks on a warm afternoon.

"The biggest benefit is making you become part of your city," he said, "and you'll have an opportunity to give back."

What's so frustrating about this whole situation is that Ray Wooldridge never made any attemt to make any connection with the people of Charlotte. He would fly into town for a few games, not very many, or to meet with the city council and then fly out again. He would issue statements that sounded like direct quotes from "Winning Through Intimidation" but never gave interviews that might give some idea of who he was.

He certainly didn't need to give money to anybody but it would have been nice if he had showed up somewhere for something other than a meeting. The Hornets did a lot of things for the community, but Ray Wooldridge never participated in them. How can he complain that people in Charlotte didn't like him if he never gave them a chance to know him? He's coached children's teams? Who knew? Basketball camps for local youngsters? What a great idea.

Obviously, it doesn't matter any more. but he could have become "part of the city" in Charlotte if he had wanted to. He never cared about it because he had no intention of trying to keep the Hornets there. And if you make no effort to connect with your fan base in any meaningful way, don't try to say "we did everything we could to keep the Hornets in Charlotte." It just makes you look foolish.

It's a great move and very generous. I think he's pretty alright by me.

Look at the bright side Pirate...if you get your expansion team, you'll have a basketball camp with freakin Larry Bird :)

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Originally posted by Primetime
Look at the bright side Pirate...if you get your expansion team, you'll have a basketball camp with freakin Larry Bird :)

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As much as I hate to admit it, the man has a point. Who taught you that shot? Larry Bird.

Basketball camp for kids hosted by Larry Bird would be awsome, I was all excited as a kid when I went to UNO baseball camp hosted by that guy from La who played with the Twins (can't remember his name to save my life, I think he was a DH the year they were in the World series).

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Originally posted by nyknicksfan
Basketball camp for kids hosted by Larry Bird would be awsome, I was all excited as a kid when I went to UNO baseball camp hosted by that guy from La who played with the Twins (can't remember his name to save my life, I think he was a DH the year they were in the World series).

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Would you be taking about current UNO baseball coach, Randy Bush?

That was a nice gesture by Ray- hopefully for New Orleans sake Shinnridge has learned from the many mistakes made here and will do their best to run a first class organazation in New Orleans.

I was of course upset that the league allowed the move but if all this Larry Bird talk turns into a reality than I am probally more happy that New Orleans got the team than most of you. I mean I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would only be out of the league for one year and come back with Larry Bird running the team and the chance to draft possibly the best HS player of all time. I just hope it all works out.

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Would you be taking about current UNO baseball coach, Randy Bush?

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I think that is it, thanks alot. I used to go to UNO and Tulane baseball camps all the time. My favorite was that UNO camp. I'm not 100% sure, but Randy Bush sounds familiar. He spent time with each of us in the batting cage, I remember being very nervous and in awe of a real MLB player. Man that was a long time ago. Thanks again for helping me figure out who that was.

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Originally posted by Charlotte-Jason
That was a nice gesture by Ray- hopefully for New Orleans sake Shinnridge has learned from the many mistakes made here and will do their best to run a first class organazation in New Orleans.

I was of course upset that the league allowed the move but if all this Larry Bird talk turns into a reality than I am probally more happy that New Orleans got the team than most of you. I mean I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would only be out of the league for one year and come back with Larry Bird running the team and the chance to draft possibly the best HS player of all time. I just hope it all works out.

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From an outsiders standpoint, I don't think Ray liked Charlotte from the beginning the way it sounds. Now, let me clarify, I don't think anything bad about Charlotte personally. I've never been there, and from what I've seen on this board and through the internet, it seems to be like any other city in America. But, it seems like he just didn't like it.

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Originally posted by Charlotte-Jason
That was a nice gesture by Ray- hopefully for New Orleans sake Shinnridge has learned from the many mistakes made here and will do their best to run a first class organazation in New Orleans.

I was of course upset that the league allowed the move but if all this Larry Bird talk turns into a reality than I am probally more happy that New Orleans got the team than most of you. I mean I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would only be out of the league for one year and come back with Larry Bird running the team and the chance to draft possibly the best HS player of all time. I just hope it all works out.

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Not to burst your bubble, but IF the team is in place for 2003, if I recall, the last expansion teams did not get the #1 pick. They were either after the top 3 or lottery picks. When Charlotte and Miami drafted, I think they were 5 and 4. When Vancouver and Toronto drafted, I think they were 6 and 7.

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Originally posted by Charlotte-Jason
I mean I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would only be out of the league for one year and come back with Larry Bird running the team and the chance to draft possibly the best HS player of all time. I just hope it all works out.

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if you do get a expansion team dont get your hopes up about getting the first pick. in the grizlies and raptors first year they picked 6th and 7th,, they also could not get the first pick for 3 or 4 years after,, i dont think the owners want to give the new guys the top pick anymore

Houma Hornet, excellent point about the draft picks. Not too many people remember that and all the controversy it started. It was a big deal back then when those teams came into the league. I also do not think the owners will hand them the first pick either.

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Originally posted by say-what
Haybud, that's one donation made to one group. Everyone knows based on the Hornets past charity record in Charlotte that the team and its owners spread many donations throughout the community.

I know you're still upset the NBA left Charlotte, but give the freakin' negativity a break. :rolleyes:

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Sorry for the long wait, working too much to check here all the time. Please show me proof of the "OWNERS" (meaning Shinn and Wooly) giving anything to Charlotte once Wolly came on board. Yes, the Hornet players and the GM worked out deals to have "Read to Achieve" and the "Fanny Mae Foundation", but I don't remember anything about Wooly offering to help pay for an arena or even donating money to the state.

He knew that franchise was dead in Charlotte, and if he gave any money it would be a lost cause.

Now, I am pissed that the team left, just you keep thinking I am trying to give out negativity. All I said was that it seemed odd that he will make a **** load of money in the next 5 years, and $100,000 for 10 years gets you all giddy. In the government, $100,000 can buy you either a hammer and/or 4 nails (depending on the market at the time) :D

So try reading it like a joke....NOT a pissed off rant. Same reason I said it's GOOD for New Orleans its' over 10 years, because that should make you feel more secure that they want the team to stay at least that long.

So just relax Say-What, it's all in humor. ;)

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Originally posted by Haybud
So try reading it like a joke....NOT a pissed off rant. Same reason I said it's GOOD for New Orleans its' over 10 years, because that should make you feel more secure that they want the team to stay at least that long.

So just relax Say-What, it's all in humor. ;)

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Yeah right, "joke" - whatever - coullion. It's still negativity on your part. If this is the way you are going to be, maybe you ought to go the way of the CLT.com Hornets pages and board - AWAY. But don't take this as me being p-o'd or over reacting to your statement - take it as a JOKE! :D

By the way, no one here is "giddy" because of this donation....it's just one donation. But it is a nice way to come into the community.

heh, tell me about it Say-What. You guys get Wooly donating $1mill....we get Wooly and he demands a new arena....go figure :rolleyes:

and I don't care about CLT.com.....Charlotte posters made it bad, and N.O. posters made it worse.

And what do you mean "if that's the way you want to be" ?
You mean, you have a problem with me finding the actions of the new owners in New Orleans rather funny compared to what they did in Charlotte ? Oh well, guess there's no pleasing you....since I didn't have something good to say about the greatest owners ever.

Please......I love New Orleans and this board, and I love the Hornets, but just because I find the owners hilarious and somewhat a joke, you find me negative. If you Say-So.....

Say what, WTF? Do you have WCHs permission to use the "coullion" deal? :)

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Originally posted by Harvey Hornet
Say what, WTF? Do you have WCHs permission to use the "coullion" deal? :)

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I owe him a 1-cent royalty. WCH, the check is in the mail. :D

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Originally posted by say-what
I owe him a 1-cent royalty. WCH, the check is in the mail. :D

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Wow...he's charging you a third of your net worth????

What is he...a West Coast version of SpongeRidge?

:eek:

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Originally posted by Slidell Hornet


Wow...he's charging you a third of your net worth????

What is he...a West Coast version of SpongeRidge?

:eek:

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No, actually it wipes the 1-cent charge he owes me for the sig pic. It just took me a while to find a use for that "coullion" I had stored up. :p

Wow, Haybud, you are an angry comedian. I don't recall say-what, or any other of our posters for that matter, even implying that Shinn and Wooldridge are "the best owners ever." That probably wouldn't be that high of a goal, though, considering the level most sports-team owners aspire too. Maybe I missed some posts. If he thinks that, though, I will have examine his position, considering how much of the Charlotte Business Journal and just about every other rag dealing with the Hornets he has read. Anyway, for my part, the thing I like best about Shinn and Wooldridge is their team is moving to New Orleans. Everything else is lagniappe.

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Originally posted by Westbank Hornet
Wow, Haybud, you are an angry comedian. I don't recall say-what, or any other of our posters for that matter, even implying that Shinn and Wooldridge are "the best owners ever." That probably wouldn't be that high of a goal, though, considering the level most sports-team owners aspire too. Maybe I missed some posts. If he thinks that, though, I will have examine his position, considering how much of the Charlotte Business Journal and just about every other rag dealing with the Hornets he has read.

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Shinnridge is evil....I must think the Charlotte way....they will poison the market...
I was warned and have acted accordingly...;) :p :D

Haybud is just trying to stir stuff around here. I have never said that Shinn and Wooldridge were the best owners ever nor was I "giddy" about this donation. We only get accused of worshiping Shinn and Wooldridge as the greatest owners in the world because we dare to find the good in what they are doing (that and the fact that they up and left Charlotte I am sure has a little something to do with it). ;)

What happened in Charlotte, happened. However, we now have a team (for which I am ecstatic and thank Shinn and Wooldridge for selecting New Orleans as the new home for their team) and the owners have an opportunity to make a fresh start of it here where they are welcomed with open arms. Wooldridge's gesture was nice, but it is only a small part of what the overall organization will do for the Community - much like Benson and the Saints (an organization that gets far too little credit for their donations and community involvement). :)

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Originally posted by Haybud
Woohoo, go Wooly!

Estimated to make $3mill in the next year and donating $100,000!! Way to go Ray, you da man! :D

no sour grapes, just would be more impressive if it was $1mill in 1 year. But, I guess spreading it over 10 years almost guarantees the team will stay for a long while.

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No sour grapes? :rolleyes: Hey, the guy doesn't have to donate ANYTHING. He owns a basketball team, not the local Red Cross.

sigh......All I am saying is it would seem much more of an impressive gesture if it was more than $100,000 a year.....BUT, being that it is over 10 years, that would mean that they want the team to stay for a long period of time, and not 5 years like everyone ELSE thinks. I don't mean anything more than that....

Just kinda funny how "some" people think it's such a great gesture and he is a good man, and ALL he did was give chump change (to him) back to the government, which will be blown anyhow. If it was more, it would be more impressive, but from what he gets from next year alone, it doesn't even compare. Can't judge a mans character on his money alone.

And Say-What is right......he never said they were the best owners.....I don't even think he said they were good owners....it was sarcasim on my part....I'll try to avoid it from now on as type doesn't convey that :rolleyes: I'll crawl back in my hole and be careful next time :D
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