From Legends Nation owner, Jason Stix Buckley –
Recently, Legends Nation created a post on the LN Facebook to allow Legends and Bandolero drivers to post a link to or promote themselves in an “Athlete of the Year” competition that has swept the sports world. After some research, we have removed the post and will not support the “contest” whatsoever, due to two main reasons.
First, the contest allows buying of votes with money. Rather than being based on a one person, one vote system, or a vote once a day system, it gives two votes for every dollar spent. That means someone can buy 500 votes with $250. There is also not a limit. This makes the entire “Athlete of the Year” to be more of a pay-to-win contest.
Second, while the funds received to buy votes are stated to go to a few charity organizations, LN looked into their terms and rules, and found some information that we feel is a bit disturbing. According to their own posted information, 36.5% of money received is removed from the donation for “Competition fees” with another up to 13.5% for processing fees, operating and prize costs, and more (and includes 1% retained by another group within the process). This means for every $1.00 donated, around only $0.50 goes to the actual charity organizations while the rest goes towards the above mentioned. Of that $0.50, it is split to two organizations, one that 100% goes to the charitable needs (admin fees and such covered by endowments), but the other has been in national news for their “charitable practices” with just 24.3% donated going to charitable needs (the rest to their administration, staff pay, etc). This means for every dollar spent for votes, only approx. $0.31 charitable donations go to charitable needs while $0.69 goes to admin fees, staff pay, and more.
Additionally, a deep dive into the companies involved in this competition shows they have at least 24 other competitions that are structured the same way for various different things, including Toddler of the Year, America’s Favorite Pet, Baby of the Year, and more.
With the above information, Legends Nation, at this time, does not support this, and will not endorse or promote this, or allow promotion of this on our social media channels. While we understand some will want to participate to acquire the listed $25,000 overall winner prize, please do not post links to the contest on our page in replies (these will be removed).
For legal purposes, Legends Nation has never been contacted by any organization associated with this contest, and has never promoted the contest outside of giving drivers a place (a post) to link their vote page. This was done without endorsement of the contest, and LN is not legally liable in any way, shape, or form.
This is a great reminder for everyone to always check what contests a person is entering, the rules, and also where any of the “donated” money is going.
Thank you.
Jason Stix Buckley
Legends Nation Owner