GREG MADDUX, TITO ORTIZ, DERYK ENGELLAND, JOSE CANSECO AND MORE TO PARTICIPATE IN SECOND ANNUAL BALLER DREAM CELEBRITY POKER TOURNAMENT AT CIRCA RESORT & CASINO, APRIL 27-28
Charity Event Returns to Las Vegas with Poker Tournament and New Feud-Style Game Show Dinner to Benefit Young Warriors Battling Cancer
The Baller Dream Foundation’s second annual Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament, hosted by legendary pitcher Greg Maddux, will return to Circa Resort & Casino April 27-28. Joining Maddux are legendary athletes such as Tito Ortiz, Wally Joyner, Deryk Engelland, AJ Cole, Jose Canseco, Jim McMahon and more. The two-day festivities include a celebrity feud-style game show dinner party and the official poker tournament at Circa’s rooftop lounge, Legacy Club.
Tickets can be purchased here.
“Last year, we raised over $200,000 for children battling cancer and couldn’t have asked for a better turnout,” said Maddux. “We’re excited to work with Circa for year two of the Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament and look forward to raising even more funds for these inspiring young warriors.”
The star-studded weekend benefits the Baller Dream Foundation, a non-profit that provides financial and emotional support to brave young warriors and their families impacted by cancer. All net proceeds raised stay local to Las Vegas and help Baller Dream Foundation provide financial support, dream gifts, hospital activities and community events where cancer warriors feel supported and celebrated.
Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Resort & Casino said, “We are honored to have Baller Dream Foundation back for another year. This cause has become something near and dear to our hearts and we know year two will be even bigger and better.”
Celebrity Participants
The tournament will include the following celebrities, with additional names to be announced in the coming weeks:
- Greg Maddux, legendary pitcher
- Tito Ortiz, mixed martial artist and heavyweight champion
- Wally Joyner, all-star with a 16-year baseball career
- Deryk Engelland, 11-year hockey player and notably played for Vegas
- AJ Cole, Las Vegas punter and team captain for Celebrity Feud
- Jose Canseco, baseball all-star, world champion and MVP
- Jim McMahon, big game winning football quarterback
- Randy Johnson, baseball hall of fame pitcher
- Garrett Bradbury, Minnesota football center
- Rollie Fingers, baseball hall of fame pitcher and MVP in world championship
- Brian Baumgartner, actor of “The Office”
Weekend Events
The charity weekend will feature the following events:
- Celebrity Feud-Style Game Show Dinner – April 27: It’s time to feud! The tournament weekend will kick off with a celebrity game show, where two teams will go head-to-head to guess responses to survey questions. Along with the opportunity to dine with the celebrities and cheer them on in the competition, the night will include a plated dinner, open bar and silent auction with more than 100 items. The event will be in Circa’s Galaxy Ballroom and participating celebrities will be announced soon. Tickets are available to the public and can be purchased here.
- Celebrity Poker Tournament – April 28: The headlining event of the weekend, the Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament, will take over Circa’s 60th floor rooftop cocktail lounge, Legacy Club. The tournament will include a cocktail reception with striking wraparound views of the Las Vegas skyline. Spots are limited to 100 players and will feature celebrity guests at each table. The first-place prize is $50,000 and the tournament will feature five winners, totaling up to $100,000 in prizes. 5,000 chips can be purchased for $500.
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 (SOLD OUT): The exclusive presenting sponsor – Link Dynamic Healthcare Solutions – went 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 includes:
- 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 for 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].
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. Baller Dream Foundation provides emotional and financial support through four primary programs. Dream Gifts & Experiences- they provide once-in-a-lifetime trips, celebrity and sports experiences, major gifts and more to our cancer warriors. In-Hospital Programming- from crafts & activities with in-patient Ballers to stocking the hospital’s birthday supplies or providing highly requested items to help make their days in treatment a little brighter. Financial Assistance- offering everything from gas and grocery cards, to rental support and stop-gap bill payment to help our families keep the lights on (literally!). Community Events- BDF provides fun events that are free for our Ballers and their families, giving them the chance to connect with others who understand the difficulties they are facing.