STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WWE today announced that Superstars for Sandy Relief, the largest ever global online auction to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in New York and New Jersey, has raised $524,742. As part of WrestleMania® Week activities around the New York and New Jersey region, the auction was a combined effort between WWE, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes with proceeds benefiting the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.
Superstars for Sandy Relief online auction ran from March 25-April 9, and featured unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences with WWE Superstars and other international sports and entertainment celebrities. The auction generated more than 2,000 bids from 152 countries, making this the largest auction of the year on global charity auction site Charitybuzz.com.
In addition to the online auction, entertainment powerhouse Sean “Diddy” Combs co-hosted a Superstars for Sandy Relief party with WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon and special guests Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno to kick-off WrestleMania Week at Cipriani Wall Street. The live auction, led by sportscaster Joe Buck, raised more than $75,000 to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
“The state of New Jersey is still recovering from Hurricane Sandy,” said Governor Chris Christie. “The overwhelming support from WWE and a host of celebrities to help the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund is something that the people of New Jersey will never forget.”
“Hurricane Sandy relief is an on-going effort,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “We are grateful to WWE and all the celebrities involved for putting its global resources behind a cause that is so important to the City of New York and our more than 8 million residents.”
“Superstars for Sandy Relief helped raise significant funds and awareness to support the people of New York and New Jersey who are still affected long after the devastating storm,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO. “I’m proud that WWE and its global fan base supported such an important initiative.”
About the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City
The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to innovative public-private partnerships throughout NYC’s five boroughs. One hundred percent of donations in response to Hurricane Sandy are being dispersed to relief efforts and organizations. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, contributions helped to support the supply and transport of emergency needs including hot food, toiletries, baby supplies, cleaning materials, warm clothing and medications for New Yorkers. The Mayor's Fund is now focused on longer-term rebuilding and restoration efforts, including sponsoring a network of housing counselors and legal service providers to help residents, mold awareness trainings and treatment in homes, and programs for nonprofit organizations and local businesses affected by the hurricane. For more information go to www.nyc.gov/fund and follow the Fund on Twitter @NYCMayorsFund.
About the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund
The Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund Inc. is a non-profit organization that raises and distributes funds to organizations that support the recovery and rebuilding efforts of New Jersey communities impacted by the storm. The Fund aims to make a sustainable, long-term impact and focuses on programs that address the unmet needs of New Jersey communities. For more information, visit http://sandynjrelieffund.org.
About Charitybuzz
Charitybuzz raises funds for nonprofits around the globe through online auctions with the world’s most recognizable celebrities and brands. Featuring access to acclaimed actors and musicians, business and political leaders, sports stars, luxury travel, couture fashion, rare memorabilia and more, Charitybuzz brings its online community of bidders exclusive opportunities to live their dreams and make a difference. Since launching, Charitybuzz has raised more than $75 million for charity. To learn more, visit www.Charitybuzz.com, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Charitybuzz or follow us on Twitter at @Charitybuzz.
About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 150 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Istanbul and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television and pay-per-view programming distribution agreements; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete and acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; our exposure to bad debt risk; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with producing and travelling to and from our large live events, both domestically and internationally; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically demanding events; risks relating to our film business; risks relating to increasing content production for distribution on various platforms, including the potential creation of a WWE network; risks relating to our computer systems and online operations; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small public float of our stock; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant.
