Dick Vitale & Jesse Palmer On-Hand For Inaugural Sneaker Soiree

TAMPA, Fla. – Sports legend Dick Vitale and college football television analyst Jesse Palmer will be on-hand as the Tampa Bay Sports Commission hosts the inaugural Tampa Bay Sneaker Soiree: A Celebration of Excellence in Sports Business, being held Thursday, June 2 at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre.

Vitale will be honored as the first ever “Lifetime Achievement Award” recipient. The award, which is presented by Tampa Bay & Company, honors an individual who has made a significant social and economic impact on the area through their efforts in sports.

“Dick Vitale has been a tremendous ambassador for the Tampa Bay area,” said Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. “From his upcoming annual gala that has raised millions for cancer research to his strong support of bringing another Super Bowl back to our area, he continues to be an incredible point guard for our community.”

Palmer, a former University of Florida football star and current college football television analyst, will serve as the event’s Master of Ceremonies.

“Having been around sports all my life, I have a great appreciation for what the Tampa Bay Sports Commission does for both local youth sports and their efforts in attracting sporting events of all sizes to the area,” said Palmer. “I’m excited to be involved in an event that will create additional resources and opportunities for the kids in Tampa.”

The inaugural event will mark the first time the Tampa Bay community has honored the “off the field” business accomplishments of each of the local sports properties, and it will also feature an “owners’ roundtable discussion”, which includes Bryan Glazer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jeff Vinik of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Stuart Sternberg of the Tampa Bay Rays.

The event will also serve as a fundraiser for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that works diligently to impact the Tampa Bay area both socially and economically through sports.

The VIP Reception begins at 6 p.m. and the event program begins at 7 p.m. Individual tickets are $100 and table and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Partners for the event include: Bright House Sports Network, 620 WDAE – The Sports Animal, St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Digital, DeBartolo Sports and Events, Powerade, Moffitt Cancer Center, T Pepin Hospitality Centre, Ryan Nece Foundation, Kane’s Furniture, Tampa Bay & Company, Fifth Third Bank, Humana, McKibbon Hotel Management, Hillsborough County Tourist Development Council, Jones Lang LaSalle, Urban Coast, Saint Leo University, Budweiser, LV Thompson Foundation, USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy, TBT*, Tampabay.com, Under Armour, Waste Management, and Outdoor America Images.