May 3, 1991

Dear Kenny,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Basketball Alumni Foundation, a newly-formed organization created to address the needs of our former teammates and others associated with the game of basketball.

Over the past year, with the help of Julius Erving, Charles Grantham, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, George Mikan, and others, we formed the Basketball Alumni Foundation. The foundation was created with the primary goal of assisting former players, referees, and team personnel and/or their dependents in need of discreet financial assistance. Some may be in need because they were involved in the league prior to  the adoption of the pension plan or because they have fallen on hard times. As for referees and team officials, no organization exists to provide post-career financial assistance. Whatever the circumstances, there are those who need our help.

To aid the Foundation in achieving its objectives, I agreed to serve as president of the Basketball Alumni Foundation and will be assisted by a very distinguished Board of Trustees. Enclosed you will find a list of those serving on the Foundation's board. The trustees and I are ready to help and are asking you to do the same.

In that spirit, and with an eye to capitalizing on the celebration of the 100th anniversary of basketball later this year, the Foundation is embarking on an aggressive fund raising effort. Part of that effort will focus on producing a one-time only, 100th anniversary commemorative set of collection quality basketball trading cards. This set will honor the 100 greatest players as well as the most memorable games, teams, coaches, and moments of the past 100 years. The trustees have asked the Basketball Hall of Fame to assist with this process and we are pleased to inform you of your selection as one of the "100 Greatest Players of the First Century of Basketball."

On behalf of the Basketball Alumni Foundation, I am writing to ask you to accept this honor and allow us to include you  in this anniversary commemorative set. Your permission to use your photo, name and biographical information will assist the Foundation to reach its fund raising goals.

This high end set of cards will consist of approximately 300 cards and will be produced by Impel Marketing Inc., the marketers of NBA Hoops and NBA Skybox, the official basketball cards of the NBA. The set will be produced for introduction in December 1991 and will be sold on a national basis.

AS compensation for these one-time rights, the Foundation, through its marketing arm, Dream Maker Sports, Inc., will pay you one thousand dollars. Each of the trustees selected, including myself, has agreed to accept this and, in some cases, have asked to have the stipend donated back to the Foundation.

To enable us to meet Impel's production deadline, it is necessary that we have a signed agreement from each player accepting the designation as one of the "100 Greatest Players of the  First Century of Basketball" no later than May 15, 1991. Enclosed you will find a letter of agreement which outlines the scope of your support of the Foundation on this project.

It is our hope that you will accept this honor and sign and return the attached letter of agreement as quickly as possible. If you have any questions, please call me at (206) XXX-XXXX. I would enjoy discussing with you the Basketball Alumni Foundation, its goals, and fund raising efforts.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
William F. Russell, President