Andy Roddick is Suing a Tennis Charity for Stiffing Him on His $100,000 Appearance Fee

By Eric Nicholson Fri., Feb. 22 2013 at 1:23 PM

Wikipedia

If Andy Roddick didn't walk away from tennis as the biggest asshole in the professional game, he was definitely in top two or three. His wasn't the lovable brashness of, say, a John McEnroe either, but a whiny, self-indulgence reminiscent of a spoiled toddler.

Justly or not, a lawsuit filed in Dallas County Court this week is not likely to improve that image.

The suit, first reported by Courthouse News, pits Roddick (and Andy R. Inc., his corporate alter ego) against pretty much the last sort of entity you want to go around suing: a cancer charity. Specifically he's taking on the Miracle Match Foundation, a charity that puts on celebrity tennis matches to raise money for cancer patients and research.

Roddick agreed to play in a September 14, 2012 event in Connecticut for a modest $100,000 appearance fee that included not only the tennis showdown but a meet-and-greet with fans afterwards. Miracle Match sent Roddick two $50,000 checks in advance. Three days after the event, both checks bounced.

Roddick, who lives in Austin, contends that this was no accident and amounts to fraud, theft, and breach of contract. (It's unclear why the lawsuit was filed in Dallas County.)

To be fair to Roddick, Miracle Match does seem to be something of a scam. It does indeed put on high-profile charity matches, but, as a Michigan TV station reported last March, very little of the money raised actually goes to charity. That was the case in 2004, at least, when it donated a whopping $3,616 to "sick kids/family support." That was the last time it had filed a required annual return with the IRS, which is why the agency revoked Miracle Match's nonprofit status in 2010.

When asked about this and a shady personal bankruptcy filing, Bill Przybysz, the Michigan tennis pro who founded Miracle Match after battling leukemia in the 1990s, blamed the problems on health issues.

"I have leukemia," he says. "I did my best."

Przybysz' best isn't good enough for Roddick, who wants his money and is suing to get it.

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primi_timpano topcommenter

Bugs again.

primi_timpano topcommenter

1 Like

I doubt if the probable recovery will exceed the court filing fees. He had every right to sue without being accused of being an asshole. A little due diligence would have been a good investment.

JSSS

But seriously, where did the reporter get his info? lol

EdD.

@JSSS Yes, that's a good question, but first I want to know where the reporter got his info.

mcdallas topcommenter

@EdD. @JSSS After that, I'd be curious to know where the reporter got his info.

mcdallas topcommenter

@EdD. @JSSS Try here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU1LMpp2tJE

tcudavid

1 Like

Where did this reporter get his info? Roddick has never had the reputation of being an asshole. He may have had a few outbursts on the court, but that's just being competitive.

He founded the Andy Roddick Foundation which helps children in need with educational opportunities. The foundation donates to charities with a focus on aiding abused children, children with childhood diseases, and keeping children in school. And for years, Roddick also was the first player to sign up to play for the US Davis Cup team for no money.

The way you wrote this story is sickening. First, accusing Roddick of being an A#1 jerk, but then backing down and trying to be fair to him.

I agree with the other comment. Eric Nicholson, you come across as the true asshole.

mt00

2 Like

You should do your homework, Mr. Nicholson. Andy Roddick has historically been one of the all-time good guys in tennis - raising millions of dollars for under-priveleged children through the Andy Roddick Foundation. The only asshole here is you.