FOX Sports Southwest and the Texas Rangers raised $219,039 from a live online auction held during Tuesday's Cleveland Indians-Texas Rangers telecast to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.
The auction was part of FOX Sports Southwest's "Military Appreciation Night" held in conjunction with the Texas Rangers on the 11th anniversary of the tragedy on September 11, 2001.
Fans bid on 15 one-of-a-kind sports and entertainment packages provided by FOX Sports Southwest and participating sponsors and made cash donations during the telecast. All funds raised benefited the Wounded Warrior Project, a national organization that raises awareness and facilitates programs and services for injured soldiers of the United States Armed Forces.
"The generosity expressed by Rangers fans at Tuesday's auction exceeded our expectations," said FOX Sports Southwest Senior Vice President/General Manager Jon Heidtke. "The outpouring of support for our injured military members was overwhelming as the bidding continued throughout the game. I'd like to thank the Texas Rangers and all of those who participated in the auction. Our team partners and corporate sponsors really helped make it a memorable night with their generous donations."
In addition to the VIP auction packages, FOX Sports Southwest/Wounded Warrior Project military dog tags made available to fans for a $25 cash donation generated $70,150.
Among the most popular packages that received the highest bids were:
Dallas Cowboys VIP Experience: Eighteen-seat luxury suite at Cowboys Stadium for the Nov. 18 Dallas Cowboys game against the Cleveland Browns, including 18 social sideline passes, five VIP parking passes and a catered meal and non-alcoholic beverages. Winning bid: $17,800.
VIP Visit to FOX NFL Sunday: Trip to Los Angeles for two to watch the FOX NFL Sunday pregame show and meet Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Curt Menefee, Jimmy Johnson and Michael Strahan and watch all the NFL games from the VIP room at the FOX Studios. Winning bid: $13,700.
Dallas Mavericks VIP Experience: Eighteen-seat luxury suite including food and non-alcoholic beverages at the American Airlines Center for the Dec. 1 Mavericks game against the Detroit Pistons. Group also will be a part of the "High Five Line" before the game as the Mavericks walk on the court. Winning bid: $12,901.
Golf with NFL on FOX analyst and former Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl champion fullback Daryl Johnston: Round of golf for two with Johnston and his guest at the TPC Four Seasons course in Las Colinas. Also includes dinner at the Four Season's Café on the Green restaurant with Johnston and former PGA golfer and current CBS sports golf analyst David Feherty. Winning bid: $11,700.
FOX Sports Southwest Behind-the-Scenes Experience: A chance to meet FOX Sports Southwest Texas Rangers announcers Steve Busby and Tom Grieve, sit in the broadcast booth for a game, attend the pregame production meeting, hang out with reporter Jim Knox, tour the television production truck and appear on a future episode of the weekly Rangers Insider magazine show. Winning bid: $10,000
Meet Texas Rangers Legend Nolan Ryan and Ride the FOX Sports Southwest Fan Express: Access to ride the FOX Sports Southwest Fan Express and bring 49 guests to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to watch a Rangers game in the 2013 season. Four members of the traveling party will meet Hall of Fame pitcher and Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan before the game. Winning bid: $9,400
