Sports Illustrated’s SI Sportsbook Invests in Virginia HBCUs & Black Businesses
By Janna M. Joyner
Left to right –Tredijah Duncombe – VUU’s Miss 1865, Shelia Hill-Christian – Virtual Entertainment Partners (VEP), Howard Mittman, President of SI Sportsbook, Ida McPherson – VEP | Photo credit Ervin B. Clarke
SI Sportsbook, the latest company to receive approval from the Commonwealth of Virginia & the Virginia Lottery to offer legal online sports betting in Virginia, has made a sizable donation in support of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). With Virginia being the second state in the nation to welcome SI Sportsbook, the company prioritized investing in the communities that drive the sports industry and the Sports Illustrated platform. It’s no secret that the Black community has long dominated the sports industry, and young Black and brown children around the world have looked to Sports Illustrated’s pages with aspirations of one day gracing the cover and having their own athletic achievements acknowledged. It’s only right that the publication connects with the communities that continue to drive their success, and they’re beginning those connections with HBCUs and local minority businesses.
On Thursday, August 25, 2022, Virginia Union University student athletes, school leadership, and members of local press joined together at VUU’s Living & Learning Center for the presentation of the $25,000 donation. This is part of a $175,000 donation to state-wide minority chambers of commerce and HBCUs. Not only is this an incredible investment in Virginia Union’s athletic department, but it’s also a catalyst for more meaningful change in athletic communities around Virginia.
“When we entered the Commonwealth of Virginia, it meant a lot to us to partner with Shelia Hill-Christian and Ida McPherson of Virtual Entertainment Partners (VEP) to make sure we had opportunities to give back,” says Howard Mittman, President of SI Sportsbook. “HBCUs and the connection we have with Virginia Union and Hampton University are a big part of how we’ll do that.”
Based on the legacy, heritage, and history of Sports Illustrated itself, SI Sportsbook felt a deep connection to the communities that have not only supported them, but that have been a great part of what they’ve been able to cover over the years. As they grow, Mittman explains, their partnerships will also grow. And while this is the first opportunity to give back, the company looks forward to discovering new, meaningful ways to invest in Black and brown communities.
When SI Sportsbook and its parent company 888 Holdings set their sights on the Virginia market, their focus turned to partnering with minority businesses. They forged a powerful partnership with VEP, which helped them apply for licensing with the Virginia Lottery and guided them towards the areas where they could make the greatest impact.
“This partnership started two years ago,” explains Sheila Hill-Christian, co-managing partner of VEP. “When 888 Holdings looked for a minority partner in the Virginia space, we not only became that partner for them, but we made sure their proposal included donations to HBCUs and minority businesses in Virginia. So that’s why we’re here at Virginia Union University today—to follow through on that commitment.”
Photo credit Ervin B. Clarke
For SI Sportsbook and 888 Holdings, this partnership is largely about giving back to the Black community and recognizing its contributions to the sports industry. For Ida McPherson, co-managing partner of VEP, it’s also about something much greater: Legacy.
“Our ancestors foresaw this day,” she explains. “There’s a rich heritage of African Americans in Virginia, and there’s a rich heritage of HBCUs in Virginia. Virginia Union University is the longest-standing HBCU in Virginia, so we needed to do all we can to continue supporting this institution and diverse communities.
“We made it clear to SI Sportsbook that this isn’t just about money, but it’s also about the jobs and training this opportunity will create. Through the sports betting platform, young men and women will learn how to maximize digital platforms and develop businesses using the internet and social media, which Mittman has a strong background in. I see a relationship that involves real economic opportunity for young people to learn, grow, and thrive. We can’t wait to see how this partnership evolves.”
