Syracuse, N.Y. – Vinny Lobdell is one of the Syracuse basketball program’s biggest supporters.
The local business entrepreneur and philanthropist sits courtside at Syracuse basketball games next to Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony. He contributes to the program and last year introduced Summer Slam, a fundraising event featuring 3-point shooting and slam-dunk contests at his Skaneateles home.
Lobdell said Friday he is putting together a group that’s committed to spend millions of dollars to help McNamara build a successful program.
“I’ve got a group of friends and colleagues who have committed to raising $4 to $5 million,” Lobdell said.
Lobdell said the group consisted of CEOs and business leaders from the Syracuse area, across the state and the country — “roughly 25 to 30,” he said.
Carmelo Anthony is not part of the group at this time.
Lobdell knows the Orange’s need for more money, especially in terms of funding a team roster, and thinks McNamara can win back the fans’ support.
“We understand NIL, and my phone has been ringing off the hook from people who love the program and they want to be a part of it,” Lobdell said. “I think the overall consensus is we have to raise that kind of money to give Gerry and the team enough to compete.”
Lobdell said Syracuse officials could have gone with any of the rumored candidates for the head-coaching hire, but he said he believes none would have had the immediate effect of galvanizing a fan base that had grown tired of poor results amid a five-year NCAA Tournament drought.
In an interview with Syracuse.com on Thursday, McNamara said Syracuse needed $9 to $10 million “to be in the game” in terms of competing in the ACC. That total would include the money Syracuse University pays athletes and the money Lobdell’s group and other third-parties can contribute to fund the team.
McNamara is one of Syracuse’s most legendary players. He helped the Orange win the 2003 NCAA championship as a freshman, scored over 2,000 points in his four-year career and famously led the Orange to the 2006 Big East Tournament title with four exhilarating wins in four days.
“Gerry McNamara represents everything Syracuse basketball is built on – toughness, pride and the ability to rise to the moment," Lobdell said. “He comes from (Scranton, Pa.) a town just like Syracuse and carries that blue-collar mentality every day. He understands hard work, accountability and what it takes to earn success. That’s something this community truly connects with.”
On Thursday, McNamara said Syracuse was behind the curve a few years ago when the pay-for-play era began to change the nature of college athletics. Lobdell agreed.
“I think Syracuse now understands that without NIL we can’t compete at a high level,” Lobdell said. “If we’re expecting him to lead and be prepared in today’s environment, we’ve got to get the money for him. The fans believe in him because of who he is.”
Lobdell, whose son Noah has played the past two seasons on the team, said he plans to hold another Summer Slam event at his home, which includes a basketball court in what he refers to as “the barn.” Last year’s event included past NBA dunk champions Spud Webb and Dee Brown.
“We’re really excited about that,” Lobdell said. “From my understanding, it was the most significant event ever for Syracuse and with Gerry coming over, we’re going to amplify it to another level.”
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