Olympic athletes may be global superstars, but their training, travel and education can be costly. And when one athlete tweeted that he needed funding, two famous faces stepped in to help. Team USA discusses thrower Veronica Fraley published the day before the event Paris Olympic Games she couldn’t pay her rent — and Flavor Flav and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian responded.
Fraley said her school, Vanderbilt University, pays about 75 percent of her rent, while her school’s football players are paid enough to buy new cars and homes. With that difference, the Olympian and 2024 NCAA discus champion needed help.
Rapper and media personality Flava Flav responded, “I got you… Text me and I’ll send you payment TODAY so you don’t have to worry about it TOMORROW… And I’ll cheer you on tomorrow. LET’S GO!!!”
That inspired Alexis Ohanian, who is married to tennis superstar Serena Williams, to offer his services as well. “C’mon, I’ll share it with @flavorfav,” he wrote. He then shared a screenshot of a Venmo transaction to Fraley for $7,760. The note on the transaction: “MURICA.”
While that may be a steep rent for many, Forbes estimated in 2019 that Ohanian, an entrepreneur and investor, has a net worth of $70 million. And Flavor Flav, who is the official cheerleader for the U.S. men’s and women’s water polo teams, is worth an estimated $2 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
In 2021, the NCAA changed its rules so that college athletes could earn money from sponsorships and in 2024, it changed its rules to allow schools to pay student athletes.
But for many, competing at a high level and traveling to Paris for the Olympics comes at a high price. Ahead of the Olympics, Flavor Flav, whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr., was announced as a sponsor of the Games. Team USA The women’s water polo team is going to the Games and providing financial support.
In addition to his financial contribution, the rapper’s five-year contract with the team allows him to make appearances at events and create social media content with the team. He has been seen cheering on the women’s team numerous times at the Olympics. The first medal event for the sport will take place on August 10.
“Supporting the USA Water Polo teams is an honor,” Flavor Flav said in a press release. “As a father of a daughter and a champion of all sports, I am excited to bring my energy and voice to this incredible sport. Niche sports often don’t get the attention they deserve, but they are filled with incredible talent and heart. Together, we are going to make some serious waves!”
Flavor Flav has eight children, including six daughters. Ohanian is also a “girl dad” to Alexis Olympia and Adira River, whom he shares with Williams, who has been married four times. Olympic gold medalist.
Fraley, who also created a GoFundMe to help fund his athletic dreams, tweeted his appreciation to the duo: “THANK YOU SO MUCH TO YOU AND @FlavorFlav, this makes all the difference in the WORLD and I look forward to representing Team USA this week.”
“This is the power of community… 7000 people saw my girlfriend @vmfraley’s tweet, only 41 people liked it, only 5 people commented, only 1 person tagged me and @alexisohanian,” Flavor Flav wrote. “Now that tweet has been seen by 10 MILLION people… Her rent is paid for the year, and people are supporting her!”
Flavor Flav also helped round up verified GoFundMe campaigns set up to help athletes competing in Paris.
