ESPY nominees and presenters, top athletes, and other A-Listers received over $40,000 in gifts at the Teqball USA Pre-ESPY Luxury Lounge, Presented by GBK Brand Bar and LA Magazine, held at the LaPeer Hotel in West Hollywood on July 11, the day prior to the 2023 ESPYs, which honors the top athletes and sports performances of the year.
The title sponsor of the event was Teqball, an international sport, founded by former Hungarian footballer Gábor Borsányi, that’s played on a specially curved table (the TEQ™ table). Touted as the fastest growing sport in the United States, Teqball is attracting a new generation of athletes and amateur enthusiasts, known as teqers, whose ambition is to develop technical skills, concentration, and stamina.
Invited guests were presented with a five-night African safari from Lush African Safari, an ocean front villa from Sailrock Resort, a slick table from Teqball USA to be given to the talent’s favorite school or charity, PHASE Activewear, Savant presenting a Cync Smart Indoor Camera for added security and peace of mind, a $5,000 certificate from LA SMILE Specialists Dentistry, Signal Relief patches and Flexpower cream for pain relief, and many other surprises.
Some of the biggest names in the world of sports visited the lounge, which included David Justice, TJ Ward, Zion Bowens, James Worthy, Odafe Oweh, Dion Dawkins, Norman Nixon, Chuck Aoki, Marcus Williams, Rodney Peete, Akbar Gbajabiamila, Erin Coscarelli, Isaac Keys, Darrell Taylor, Jerry Jacobs, Theotis Beasley, Brittany Gilman, Walther Thurmond III, NFAPA President, James Washington, and Marcus Williams. Several ESPY nominees, and past winners, were also on hand, such as Susannah Scaroni, Cheri Blauwet, Erika McKee, Sara Reinerstein, MJ Acosta, and Mallory Weggemann. The biggest surprise guest was human rights activist Dr. Richard Lapchick, who received the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award at the ESPYS ceremony.
Once inside the lounge, attendees enjoyed delicious wine and spirits from El Cristiano Tequila, Calabria Family Wines and Quixote Winery, specialty sandwiches from Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, and stayed hydrated with Topo Chico mineral water. Entertainment was provided by ADM Entertainment spinning the hottest tunes. House of Pickleball was on hand giving lessons, while Teqball showed off its specially curved table with guests playing for their cause of choice. Additional gifts were provided by Kalmado Armosaound Therapy Candles and PKNY, an innovative pinky finger stabilizer for smart phones.
As part of his commitment to giving back, GBK Brand Bar CEO, Gavin Keilly, partnered this event with Best Buddies, Eli A. Wolfe Memorial Fund for Justice in Sport, and The Alexander Graham Bell (AG Bell) Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Since 2002, GBK has given over $10 million to over 50 charities.
Featured Photo James Worthy. Photos provided by GBK Brand Bar.
