The founder of Reddit Alexis Ohanian and rapper Flavor Flav are proud to be American — and they're opening their wallets to prove it.
On Thursday, U.S. Olympic track and field athlete Veronica Fraley went to X to complain that she can't pay her rent while competing in Paris, and her school prioritizes paying its players.
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“I compete in the Olympics TOMORROW and I can't even pay my rent,” Fraley wrote. “My school only sent about 75% of my rent, while they pay the football players (who haven't earned anything) enough to buy new cars and houses.”
Fraley, the 2024 NCAA Women's Discus Champion, is currently winning her second Master's degree at Vanderbilt University and will compete in the women's discus championships on Friday in Paris.
Fraley clarified later that “her irritation is not with the school itself,” but with rules that prevent her from “making the amount she's worth as a collegiate athlete, such as the NIL that favors popularity over performance.” below New NIL (name, image, likeness) rule, “Schools may identify NIL opportunities and facilitate agreements between student-athletes and third parties” for money.
Flavor Flav and Ohanian then decided to step in.
Flav answered first and offered to pay her rent while also asking what time she was competing so he could come out and support her on Friday.
The man of the word,,, and Imma try to come and support you in person tomorrow,,, LMK what time pic.twitter.com/9seNCQSHCZ
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) August 1, 2024
Ohanian then offered to split the payment with Flavor Flav and followed up with a screenshot of his payment, noting that he chose to send her $7,760 because he “likes the number” as a nod to his Venture Capital fund. 776.
Update! It is done. pic.twitter.com/WEX18Gny60
— Alexis Ohanian ?? (@alexisohanian) August 1, 2024
Ohanian is married to former Olympian Serena Williams, who won four gold medals for the US tennis team.
Fraley thanked Ohanian and Flavor Flav for their donations before revealing that she had paid her rent on friday morning.
THANK YOU & @FlavorFlav THIS MUCH ?? it makes all the difference in the WORLD and I hope to represent Team USA well this week ??❤️ https://t.co/L1VzCJCjbm
— Veronica™ ⚓️ (@vmfraley) August 1, 2024
This isn't the first time during the 2024 Olympics that Flavor Flav has decided to help US Olympians in need.
In May, the rapper became an official sponsor of the US women's water polo team (and self-proclaimed hypnotist) after an Instagram post by team member Maggie Steffens went viral. She pointed out how many Olympic athletes take a lot of work to earn enough money to support their athletic dreams.
Flavor Flav commented on Steffens' post that, as a father daughter and supporter of all women's sports, he would “sponsor the whole team” and “use all my relationships and resources to help you all even more”.
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According to NBCa representative for Flavor Flav confirmed that Fraley's rent was paid in full, but did not disclose the exact amount that was paid.
“After Paris, I aim for the 2025 World Championships and the 2028 Olympics, once I start my professional track career.” Fraley said.