Today, Olympic Gold Medalist, NBA Champion, and 6X NBA All-Star, KYRIE IRVING, announced the newly formed KAI Empowerment Initiative and his commitment to give $1.5 Million to supplement the income for players in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) who have opted out of the 2020 basketball season. The KAI Empowerment Initiative will provide funds directly to each player who meets the qualifications of the program. In addition, this initiative will give all WNBA players access to a comprehensive financial literacy program created by UBS. As a continuation of his efforts to support and advocate for women and equality, Kyrie wants to ensure that his WNBA colleagues have access to the income and tools needed to obtain their financial goals.
“With the help of Natasha Cloud and Jewell Loyd, I have connected with several WNBA players who have decided to play and those who have decided not to play. In these conversations, I have learned about the challenges and opportunities of their decisions and how it will impact their lives, family, and overall wellbeing,” said Kyrie Irving. “This platform was created to provide support for all WNBA players in hopes to relieve some of the financial strain imposed during these challenging times. Whether a person decided to fight for social justice, play basketball, focus on physical or mental health, or simply connect with their families, this initiative can hopefully support their priorities and decisions.”
To ensure that financial empowerment continues beyond the initial investment, the KAI Empowerment Initiative is collaborating with the Peak Wealth Management Group at UBS under the guidance of Antwyne DeLonde and Walt Williams. “We’re proud to offer this best-in-class Own Your Worth financial participation program to the KAI Empowerment Initiative, which shares the belief that it’s important to provide financial resources to all women and to support gender-equal opportunities to secure their financial future,” says UBS Financial Advisor, Antwyne Delonde.
To be considered for the KAI Empowerment Initiative, active WNBA players must submit a formal request to [email protected]. Upon receipt of the inquiry, the required documentation and information needed for processing will be shared. Additional information can be found at http://www.kaiempowermentinitiative.com.
Please note that required forms must be submitted by Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 5:00 PM ET and recipients will be notified on Monday, August 24, 2020.
General requirements to receive funds:
– Must be an active WNBA player who has opted out of the 2020 WNBA season
– Must share insight into circumstances surrounding opt-out
– CANNOT receive support for salary from any other entity
– Medical opt-out considerations must be connected to the COVID 19 pandemic