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via Getty
BOSTON – 1968: Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics defends against Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game played in 1968 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1968 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
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via Getty
BOSTON – 1968: Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics defends against Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game played in 1968 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1968 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
Wilt Chamberlain is a legend of the sport. The dominance of the 7’1″ center was known to be unreal. Nicknamed the Goliath, he was unstoppable thanks to his size and athleticism. Chamberlain has a lot of records to his name including the iconic 100-point game. Off the court, the 2x NBA champion’s persona was reduced to that of a womanizer. There was, however, another side to the Hall of Famer that is not very well known: Chamberlain’s acts of philanthropy.
Chamberlain’s true legacy still seems to be covered in a haze. The four-time NBA MVP once claimed that he had sex with over 20,000 women, shocking many in the community. Contrastingly, he remained relatively quiet about his donations to people in need.
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Wilt Chamberlain’s philanthropy
Wilt Chamberlain, who reportedly had an estimated net worth of $10 million, was one of the highest-paid players during his time in the league. He could, however, have been close to being hundreds of millions richer. During his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, co-owner of the team Ike Richman offered him 25% of the team as a contract extension. The deal fell through after Richman collapsed and Chamberlain joined the Los Angeles Lakers. The 76ers are now valued at over $3 billion and so the offered 25% could have added at least $600 million to Chamberlain’s net worth. Wilt the Stilt, however, made sure whatever he made, he put to good use.
According to reports, Chamberlain donated huge sums of money to social and educational institutions over the course of his life. The 13-time NBA All-Star, who passed away on Oct 12, 1999, reportedly donated a large amount of money to charities in his will. Although the exact numbers are not disclosed, his generous contributions to society got the spotlight only after his death at the age of 63.
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The Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund was eventually established in 2001 by Billy Cunningham and Stephen Cozen. The aim of the fund is to make a difference in the lives of youth and young adults in the country. A lot of discourse regarding the NBA icon gets muddy when his off-court persona is brought into the conversation. The Big Dipper, however, made sure he did his best to clear the air.
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Wilt Chamberlain clears the air on his love life
Wilt Chamberlain has never shied from talking about his relationships with women. However, he made it clear that he was not boasting about it. In his book ?A View From Above?, Chamberlain wrote, “I?m not boasting? I don?t see all this lovemaking as any kind of conquest. All I?m saying is that I like women, people are curious about my s*x life, and to most people, the number of women who have come and gone through my bedrooms ? and various hotel rooms around the country ? would boggle the mind.”
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