Jason Kidd Is Giving Away His Gold Medal

The way that the players of the USA Basketball team were staring at their freshly earned gold medals after defeating Spain in the epic final game, it appeared that those pieces of hardware would be something they would cherish for the rest of their lives. That's not the case for at least one member of the "Redeem Team" however, as Jason Kidd will be giving his gold medal away to ... the wife of one of the wealthiest casino owners in Las Vegas. The particulars:

Kidd promised Elaine Wynn, wife of casino mogul Steve Wynn, that he would give her his newest Olympic medal if the Americans fulfill the redeem dream.

"It's not a (gambling) marker or anything like that," Kidd told The Arizona Republic. "She's just a great friend and a really great person."

They met last year when Kidd and the USA team stayed at the Wynn while training in Las Vegas.

"Last summer, we stayed at the Wynn for (what seemed like) a lifetime, close to three weeks," Kidd said. "We met at a banquet, we got to talking, and she really understands the game. I told her I'd make a deal with her, that if we won the gold medal, I'd give it to her. She thought I was kidding. But I told her I had one already, and the way they treated us at the Wynn, it was the least I could do."

I have so many questions about this, but let's just discuss one of the most obvious ones, shall we? Kidd has been an NBA star for a long time, and surely owes debts of gratitude to a lot of people. People that he's undoubtedly known for more than a year or so. So what makes Mrs. Wynn so special?

USA Mens Basketball

A worker puts up the photos of Chinese gold medalists at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Tuesday Aug. 26, 2008 in Shanghai, China. Hurdler Liu Xiang's painful withdrawal and a ho-hum performance by basketball star Yao Ming were low points for China at the Beijing Olympics. They hardly mattered. Such disappointments were inconsequential against the hosts' all-time best count of 100 medals, 51 gold, an amount that sprawled across the Olympic program into sports where China hadn't before distinguished itself. Only the United States had more medals with 110, and its 36 golds were a distant second to China's tally. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

BEIJING - AUGUST 24: Jason Kidd #5 of the U.S. Men's Senior National Team poses for portraits after defeating Spain 118-107 in the men's gold medal basketball game at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Intercontinental Hotel on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jason Kidd

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BEIJING - AUGUST 24: Chris Paul #13 and LeBron James #6 of the U.S. Men's Senior National Team poses for portraits after defeating Spain 118-107 in the men's gold medal basketball game at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Intercontinental Hotel on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Paul;LeBron James

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BEIJING - AUGUST 24: Chris Paul #13 of the U.S. Men's Senior National Team poses for portraits after defeating Spain 118-107 in the men's gold medal basketball game at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Intercontinental Hotel on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Paul

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BEIJING - AUGUST 24: Kobe Bryant #10, Chris Paul #13 and LeBron James #6 of the U.S. Men's Senior National Team poses for portraits after defeating Spain 118-107 in the men's gold medal basketball game at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Intercontinental Hotel on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Chris Paul;LeBron James

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BEIJING - AUGUST 24: Kobe Bryant #10 and LeBron James #6 of the U.S. Men's Senior National Team poses for portraits after defeating Spain 118-107 in the men's gold medal basketball game at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Intercontinental Hotel on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;LeBron James

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BEIJING - AUGUST 24: Kobe Bryant #10 of the U.S. Men's Senior National Team poses for portraits after defeating Spain 118-107 in the men's gold medal basketball game at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Intercontinental Hotel on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant

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BEIJING - AUGUST 24: Michael Redd #8 of the U.S. Men's Senior National Team celebrates winning the men's gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on the bus on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. The United States defeated Spain 118-107 to take the Men's Basketball gold medal. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jesse Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Redd

NBAE/Getty Images

BEIJING - AUGUST 24: Carlos Boozer #4 of the U.S. Men's Senior National Team celebrates winning the men's gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on the bus on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. The United States defeated Spain 118-107 to take the Men's Basketball gold medal. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jesse Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carlos Boozer

NBAE/Getty Images

I know Kidd is rumored to be on the prowl, and is considered "old" in NBA circles. But Mrs. Wynn seems to be outside of even the top end of the cougar range, so it's probably not a relationship thing. And Kidd isn't exactly Charles Barkley, so I'll choose to believe that it's not gambling related either.

What about that part about Kidd saying he'd make a deal with Steve's better half? A deal involves two parties, so what was Mrs. Wynn's end of the bargain? We'll probably never know, but it's likely that she was responsible for providing some out-of-this-world hospitality to Kidd during his stay, which must have included something that he's extremely thankful for.

[via SLAM]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

8-26-2008 @ 12:53AM

George B Vieto said...

Corporate America strikes again.

8-27-2008 @ 7:49AM

Dave said...

George....by reading the tone of your coments...I can tell your a "real" slug's anus....just can't give anyone credit for doing something nice for someone....but I can tell you'll never have that chance to find out now will you....moron

8-28-2008 @ 11:24PM

Jon said...

Better Corporate America than Facist, BIG GOVERNMENT America of the great Greek God Obama.

8-27-2008 @ 6:16AM

Mike said...

Must be nice to sit behind your computer and make this crap up. Your "speculation" is disgusting. Give someone a blog and they feel it gives them the right to drag individuals' reputations through the gutter.

8-27-2008 @ 7:17AM

Puter Boi said...

Better question: Why do you care what he does with his medal? He earned it. You didn't have anything to do with it? Why do you care? You sound like a jealous Junior High School groupie.

8-27-2008 @ 7:20AM

frank said...

I agree with you Mike. Its disgusting how people take an act of kindness and try to turn it into a scandal.

8-27-2008 @ 7:35AM

dave eisele said...

This is a load of crap. You work for TMZ or Enquirer? It was a gesture of goodwill and leave it at that. It would be an attraction to the casino if they put it on display for people who never have seen a gold medal up close would like to do just to see what one looks like. You are obviously one of those geeky high school kids who got picked on by the jocks and never have let that go.

8-27-2008 @ 7:36AM

Rose said...

Ok! well if thats what he wants! I hope she stays a great friend!!!!

8-27-2008 @ 7:46AM

Rich said...

Maybe he's just an honarable man and keeping his word.
Carl Edwards(NASCAR driver) gives away all his trophys mostly to kids. They have something better The Memories!
and knowing they did it!

8-27-2008 @ 7:59AM

Krissy said...

I know what it is.... It's called INTEGRITY, it is never published in the tabloids so most people do not know what it's meaning is. But YES, it is still alive and well and the hearts of a lot of unnamed Americans. Good old fashioned, I gave my word- that's why!!! It is very sad how you take something good that someone did and twist it into to something ugly. Too bad we are not all buying it!

8-27-2008 @ 8:12AM

pbpb said...

Does he have any idea how other Americans would cherish the medals---those that were cheated out of a medal in China! How could he just give away a medal????????

8-27-2008 @ 8:09AM

RAY said...

PLACE YOUR BETS

8-27-2008 @ 8:18AM

heller mama said...

Dont look now but, guess who is green with ENVY!!! NOYB what he does w/ his medal, you didnt think he was giving it to you did ya?!

8-27-2008 @ 8:24AM

Ted said...

Jason Kidd is an idiot... have you ever heard him speak. It's obvious he's using the medal to pay off a debt.

8-27-2008 @ 8:44AM

Joe said...

Better he give the medal to some wonded american soldier and tell him "he's the real hero here."

8-27-2008 @ 10:14AM

jraintdead said...

Wonded??

8-27-2008 @ 8:46AM

Gerald said...

I wouldn't just give away my goal medal, but if Kidd wants to do it, that's his business. I'm sure the Wynn's will accept the goal medal and place it on display in one of their casinos so millions of people can view it. Kidd will always have a place to stay when he comes to Las Vegas.

8-27-2008 @ 9:03AM

Kdwg said...

Brett Edwards... what is that? A French phrase for "wannabee"?

So, are you jealous of Kidd for being a pro ball player?
So, are you jealous of Kidd for being an athlete you could never be?
So, are you jealous of Kidd that he won a gold medal that you will likely never even get to hold a real one in your hand?
So, are you jealous of Kidd for having genuine relationships in life?
So, are you jealous of Kidd since he could stay at the Wynn and have to stay at Motel 6 when you are in Vegas?
So, are you jealous of Kidd that the Wynn's even know who he is?

Oh wait, I get it now, you are jealous of Kidd for being a decent human being and you're not.

8-27-2008 @ 9:08AM

jim naismith said...

yeah. um, to give away an olympdick gold medal in return for a 3-week hotel tab only goes to show how little the award means to a multi-millionaire basketball player...professional athletes have no business in the olympdicks to begin with; the games ought to be reserved for amateurs...as for steve wynn's wife, the position of being a billionaire casino owner's main squeeze speaks for itself: she's probably medaled in a few events of her own.

8-27-2008 @ 9:40AM

I understand that Jason gave away his gold medal to the wife of a friend of his. It is his right, but if it were me (not that I would have a chance in heck of winning one), I would donate it for a charity auction for my favorite cause or causes. He says he already has one, so he has the right to give the second one away; good for him for keeping his promise, even if the offer was made in jest.