Key Takeaways
- • Ken Griffin (Citadel founder & CEO) and Stephen Ross (Related Companies CEO & Chairman) jointly funded the donation of 1,200 FIFA World Cup tickets to youth organizations across South Florida.
- • The ticket donation benefits Boys & Girls Clubs in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, providing hundreds of young Floridians direct access to matches during the 2026 World Cup hosted in the region.
- • The initiative reflects a strategic philanthropic alignment between two prominent Florida business leaders to enhance youth opportunity and strengthen the state's competitive position as a global business and cultural hub ahead of a marquee international sporting event.
- • The Florida Council of 100 Foundation, chaired by Eric Silagy, positioned the donation as part of broader efforts to ensure the next generation of Floridians benefits from economic growth and investment flowing into the state.
Summary
The Florida Council of 100 Foundation announced on June 11, 2026, a donation of 1,200 FIFA World Cup tickets to Boys & Girls Clubs serving youth across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. The gift was made possible through the generous contribution of two prominent Florida business leaders: Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, and Stephen Ross, CEO and chairman of Related Companies.
The ticket allocation provides hundreds of young Floridians with direct access to matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the world's premier sporting events. The timing aligns with South Florida's preparation to host the tournament, positioning the region as a focal point for international business, cultural, and investment activity. Eric Silagy, chair of The Florida Council of 100 Foundation, emphasized that the initiative extends beyond sport: "This is about more than soccer. The World Cup represents the very best of what Florida is becoming. It is a global event that will bring people, ideas, and opportunity from around the world to our state."
The donation reflects a shared commitment by Griffin and Ross to expand opportunity for the next generation of Floridians and supports the Foundation's broader mandate to strengthen the state's long-term competitiveness. According to George LeMieux, chairman of the Florida Council of 100, business leaders have a responsibility to ensure that young Floridians benefit from the significant investment and talent attraction flowing into the state. The ticket distribution through established youth organizations underscores a strategic approach to combining philanthropic impact with community engagement during a high-profile international event.
The ticket allocation provides hundreds of young Floridians with direct access to matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the world's premier sporting events. The timing aligns with South Florida's preparation to host the tournament, positioning the region as a focal point for international business, cultural, and investment activity. Eric Silagy, chair of The Florida Council of 100 Foundation, emphasized that the initiative extends beyond sport: "This is about more than soccer. The World Cup represents the very best of what Florida is becoming. It is a global event that will bring people, ideas, and opportunity from around the world to our state."
The donation reflects a shared commitment by Griffin and Ross to expand opportunity for the next generation of Floridians and supports the Foundation's broader mandate to strengthen the state's long-term competitiveness. According to George LeMieux, chairman of the Florida Council of 100, business leaders have a responsibility to ensure that young Floridians benefit from the significant investment and talent attraction flowing into the state. The ticket distribution through established youth organizations underscores a strategic approach to combining philanthropic impact with community engagement during a high-profile international event.
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