On Monday, September 29, the New York Hilton hosted one of sports and philanthropy’s most meaningful nights: The Great Sports Legends Dinner, benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.
The event, now in its fourth decade, honored ten iconic athletes while raising both awareness and critical funding for research into paralysis and neurological disorders. While Marc Buoniconti couldn’t be there this year, the night was also a celebration of his 59th birthday while continuing a legacy that blends athletic greatness with humanitarian impact.
This year’s honorees: MLB titan Albert Pujols, NBA legends Dominique Wilkins and Dwight Howard, NFL icons Warren Moon and Thurman Thomas, NASCAR champion Kurt Busch, NHL great Jeremy Roenick, Olympic speedskater Apolo Ohno, golf trailblazer Michelle Wie West, and racing legend Frankie Dettori.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 29: (L-R) Mario Gabelli, Dwight Howard, Frankie Dettori, Dominique Wilkins, Emilio Estefan, Thurman Thomas, Gloria Estefan, Kurt Busch, Bob Costas, Michelle Wie, Warren Moon, Albert Pujols, Jeremy Roenick, Apolo Ohno and Barth Green attend The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis’ 40th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner, at the Hilton Midtown. The event raises the much-needed funds for The Buoniconti Fund, the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a designated Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of medicine and the world’s premier spinal cord injury research center. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for The Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis)
“It’s an honor to be here with the greats—some legends that I grew up watching,” said Dwight Howard, reflecting on his place among the elite group. Looking ahead, Howard shared what he’s most excited for: “To be with my wife, raise my kids, and enjoy life.”
The event is more than just a dinner; it is the beating heart of The Buoniconti Fund, the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, based at the University of Miami. The Fund was born from tragedy- when Marc Buoniconti was paralyzed in a college football game- but has since raised millions to advance research for spinal cord injury, ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, and more- thanks to his efforts, the efforts of his father Nick Buoniconti, the former NFL Hall of Fame linebacker (captain of the 1972 Dolphins), and Dr. Barth Green.
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“We all have someone in our families who are dealing with some form of paralysis,” noted NBA legend Dominique Wilkins. “We have a responsibility to do whatever we can to help them, help themselves.”
Apolo Ohno echoed that sentiment: “The fact that they’ve turned this devastation into something that people can rally behind…that they can dedicate their time and invest their own monies into funding research, it’s incredible.”
Christian Slater’s first time attending the event was back in 2015, and 10 years later, he praised the community it’s built: “The fact that we’re here celebrating Dr. Barth Greene is also a huge deal. He’s been a legend and has done so much for so many people.”
Dr. Barth Green received the 2025 Buoniconti Fund Award while Mario Gabelli was presented with the Outstanding Philanthropist Award.
Hosted by Gloria Estefan and Bob Costas with a performance by Foreigner, Estefan noted since first emceeing this event, “We’ve made a lot of technological and scientific advancements that are going to better, not only the chances of people with paralysis to walk again, but people with ALS, Alzheimer’s, MS, Parkinson’s… So, I feel very honored and privileged to be a part of it in any way.” Gloria and Emilio Estefan donated $40,000 in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the dinner.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 29: (L-R) Kelly Hansen, Chris Frazier, Jeff Pilson, Luis Maldonado, Bruce Watson and Michael Bluestein of Foreigner attend The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis’ 40th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner, at the Hilton Midtown. The event raises the much-needed funds for The Buoniconti Fund, the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a designated Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of medicine and the world’s premier spinal cord injury research center. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for The Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis)
Title Sponsors were The DiMare Family and the Paul J. DiMare Foundation while presenting Sponsors were Tudor Group and The Mack Family.