Mahomes, Kelce jerseys fetch Rs 2.09 crore at charity auction for pediatric cancer

KANSAS CITY, US: Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce donated their game-worn Super Bowl LVIII jerseys, which fetched $250,000 (approx Rs 2.09 crore) at a charity auction, contributing to a record $3.97 million (approx Rs 33 crore) raised for pediatric cancer care.

The memorabilia was the highlight of the 15th annual Big Slick Celebrity Weekend in Kansas City, Missouri, a two-day fundraising event that brought together Hollywood actors, professional athletes, and thousands of supporters. The proceeds are directed entirely to the Cancer Center at Children's Mercy Hospital, a leading pediatric medical network in the American Midwest. The auction also featured special experiences, including chances to appear in television productions, private meals with celebrity hosts, and VIP passes to major sporting events.

Big Slick began in 2010 as a small poker tournament organised by five Kansas City natives, including actors Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Rob Riggle, Eric Stonestreet, and David Koechner. Actor Heidi Gardner, a former Saturday Night Live cast member from Kansas City, officially joined as a main co-host in 2023. Over the past decade and a half, the initiative has expanded into a major weekend featuring a celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium, a bowling tournament, and a live entertainment show at the T-Mobile Center.

During the live auction at the T-Mobile Center, bidding for the Mahomes and Kelce jersey package quickly surpassed $100,000 before reaching the final $250,000 mark after the players and celebrity hosts appeared on stage to encourage the crowd. The weekend’s total of $3.97 million surpassed the previous record of $3.5 million set in 2023, marking the highest single-year total since the event's inception. Including the 2024 total, the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend has raised over $21 million (approx Rs 175 crore) for the hospital since 2010.

Co-host Rob Riggle reflected on the event's growth, stating, "When we started this 15 years ago, we just wanted to raise a little money and bring some attention to the hospital. We never imagined it would grow into something this big".

Children's Mercy Hospital confirmed that the funds support clinical trials, advanced diagnostic equipment, and specialist doctors. "Big Slick is about our patients," the hospital stated. "Every dollar raised stays right here in Kansas City to support the kids and families fighting cancer at Children's Mercy".

The success of the Big Slick weekend highlights the growing influence of athlete-led philanthropy in driving substantial medical funding. By leveraging their post-Super Bowl LVIII star power, Mahomes and Kelce have not only amplified the auction's reach but also underscored how sports memorabilia can be effectively monetised for critical healthcare research. This model demonstrates how local celebrities can sustain long-term community impact by transforming personal brand equity into tangible medical resources.

As the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend continues to expand its footprint, the sustained influx of private donations is expected to further accelerate experimental targeted treatments at Children's Mercy, offering renewed hope to families navigating long-term pediatric oncology care.