MORGAN PARK — Little League International stripped Jackie Robinson West of the U.S. championship, but it’s unclear what might happen to the spoils of that victory — more than $200,000 donated to the South Side league after its title run.
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler donated $30,000. The Chicago White Sox kicked in $20,000. The Chicago Cubs gave $10,000.
The biggest donor, Dick’s Sporting Goods, donated profits from the local sales of Jackie Robinson West T-shirts — a check for $164,481 that the now-ousted league president called a “game changer.” Last month, the shirts were still being sold at Dick’s South Loop store.
TIMELINE: DNAINFO'S COVERAGE OF THE JACKIE ROBINSON SAGA
Before the scandal broke, a source told DNAinfo Chicago that the sporting goods store’s charity arm was set to issue Jackie Robinson West another donation check — a portion of T-shirt sale profits — in coming weeks.
Even though the cash was donated to a Little League-affiliated league, the Pennsylvania-based youth sports organization doesn’t have the power to take the money away.
Little League spokesman Brian McClintock said in an email, “That money was directly to Jackie Robinson West. Ultimately it is their decision on how to handle it.”
It’s unclear exactly who will make that decision, since part of Little League International’s sanctions relieved Jackie Robinson West President Anne Haley and Treasurer Bill Haley, who acted as the de facto president, of their duties.
Sources told DNAinfo Chicago that Jackie Robinson West officials had discussed setting up scholarship funds for players on the 2014 team, but it’s unclear whether that fund was established.
On Wednesday, Bill Haley did not return calls seeking comment.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
