Agassi’s Las Vegas Fundraiser Was A Major Success

Written by: Staff on 3rd November 2011

Agassi’s Las Vegas Fundraiser Was A Major Success |

The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy began as a dream for the eight-time Grand Slam champion back in 2001 and now it appears that the school will outlive him.

On Saturday night at a star-studded gala in Las Vegas, Agassi’s 16th annual Grand Slam for Children benefit raised around $26.1 million at Wynn Las Vegas. According to Agassi, his school is fully endowed thanks in part to an $18 million donation by billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, a long time tennis fan.

The academy’s total endowment will be somewhere between$120 million to $125 million, which will allow the K-12 Las Vegas charter school to be funded in perpetuity.

Agassi’s father Mike – who taught his children how to play tennis — worked as a greeter at one of Kerkorian’s casinos, the original MGM Hotel for many years. The 94-year-old Kerkorian is one of the largest shareholders of MGM Resorts International. Kerkorian was once married to former American top-10 player Lisa Bonder

“If it wasn’t for Mr. Kerkorian’s kindness to my family long before I ever hit a tennis ball, I wouldn’t be here today,” Agassi said. “He hasn’t just helped my family, but millions of people in the state of Nevada.”

The Engelstad Family Foundation also made a $1.5 million donation and the Windsong contributed $1 million.

Ticket sales and proceeds from a live auction accounted for the largest amount raised in a single night for the foundation.

Among the most notable items auctioned off were: a personal portrait done by the world famous photographer Annie Leibovitz; VIP access to the 2012 Kentucky Derby, which includes personal seating license tickets on Millionaire’s Row; final weekend tickets to the US Open in the exclusive President’s Box, as well as a four-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel New York; seats for four people via the sports ticket travel company Viagogo to the 2012 World Series, NCAA Final Four, Masters and the Super Bowl; member only seats on Centre Court at Wimbledon for three days, as well as first-class tickets to London on American Airlines and a suite at the Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour for four nights.

In 2009, the public charter school Agassi prep graduated its first senior class, with 100 percent of graduates accepted into college, as were the graduates of the classes of 2010 and 2011. The school provides free tuition to all of its students.

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”