Former FTX spokesman and Biden supporter Stephen Curry seeks to block construction of affordable housing near his $31 million mansion
NBA star Stephen Curry and his wife, Ayesha, live in a mansion valued at over $31 million in Atherton, California. They have recently expressed strong opposition to a proposal to transform nearby single-home acreage into a property that could house dozens of less fortunate families — families whose relative wealth may have been eaten away by inflation during President Joe Biden's tenure or diminished in the FTX crash.
Curry, who endorsed Biden in 2020 and promoted FTX as part of his "long-term partnership," noted in a letter to the town of Atherton that he hesitated "to add to the 'not in our backyard' (literally) rhetoric," but nevertheless suggested that the possible construction of 16 three-story townhomes nearby would generate "major concerns in terms of both privacy and safety."
What are the details?
Atherton seeks to rezone a 1.5-acre property at 23 Oakwood Blvd., where there now stands a single-family home, reported the Almanac. The owner, David Arata, wants to put up 16 townhouses.
These units won't be purposed for very-low or low-income housing — to the reported pleasure of the Currys and their neighbors — because, per council member Rick DeGolia's suggestion, land is worth approximately $8 million an acre in the area. However, modest and more affordable housing options would be possible on the location.
Arata, who initially sought to put up 30 units, some of which would have catered to lower-income families, told the Almanac that the townhouses would resemble a "little village" contra a housing project.
The Currys sent a letter on Jan. 18 expressing their opposition to the proposal to generate more housing opportunities nearby for those without $31 million in reserve.
The former FTX rep suggested in his letter that should the opposition to the townhomes fail, he and his wife want the town to commit "to investing in considerably taller fencing and landscaping to block sight lines onto our family's property."
\u201cA look at Steph and Ayesha Curry\u2019s new $30M mansion in Silicon Valley:\n\n\u25aa\ufe0f 17,800 sq. ft, 2 acres\n\u25aa\ufe0f 7 BR, 9 BA\n\u25aa\ufe0f Movie theater\n\u25aa\ufe0f Full bar, wine cellar\n\u25aa\ufe0f Pool, sundeck\u201d— Front Office Sports (@Front Office Sports) 1670265986
The Currys are not the only ones in Atherton apparently having troubles imagining lower-income families living nearby.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Atherton must adopt a suitable Housing Element by month's end, to the satisfaction of state authorities, otherwise California state authorities might end up making the determinations on the town's behalf.
Atherton was supposed to plan for 348 new units across various income levels.
The Almanac suggested that uber-wealthy residents and council members alike have described the process of trying to determine where to place the lower-income housing as a game of "whack-a-mole," since every time a space is proposed, someone nearby has objected.
Despite the ongoing "whack-a-mole," some residents penned a letter claiming "we all benefit by welcoming neighbors of diverse income and cultural backgrounds, and that there is room for more here in Atherton."
The Currys' letter made clear they would not benefit from new neighbors and would prefer for them to be out of sight and out of mind.
When joining the nonprofit NinetyToZero in 2021, Curry stated, "Bridging the racial wealth gap is one of the biggest challenges of our generation," adding that "uncovering solutions and creating opportunities is something I’m profoundly committed to."
Chicks on the Right tweeted in response to news of Curry's letter, "They never mean for their policies to affect them PERSONALLY."
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Meme kid, now a college football player, brokers internet fame into NIL deal with Popeyes: 'When I look back at it, I laugh'
The young kid whose face has been associated with uncertain or awkward situations for years has now used his fame to reach an agreement with the fast-food joint where it all began: Popeyes.
Back in 2013, Dieunerst Collin was just a normal 9-year-old kid when he visited a Popeyes restaurant and a fellow patron thought he strongly resembled Lil TerRio, a then-6-year-old who had recently become an internet sensation for dancing along to "Ooh Kill Em." The patron snapped a quick video of Collin, who then flashed his now-famous side-eye at the camera, and a meme star was born.
Vine Clip Of The Week: Fat Kid Terio In Popeyes Ooh Kill Em youtu.be
Now, ten years later, Collin is a red-shirted freshman offensive lineman playing for Lake Erie College — a Division II school along the shores of Lake Erie, just northeast of Cleveland — and he recently realized that he could capitalize on his already famous image if he were to partner with the restaurant that made him famous.
"I thought this is probably the opportunity I can get with Popeyes to at least reach out," Collin stated.
Because of new name, image, and likeness rules in the NCAA, players are now able to sign endorsement deals with local and national businesses. Though few of his teammates have inked NIL deals, Collin knew he was in a unique position with Popeyes. So on January 8, he took to Instagram and posted his famous side-eye meme, as well as a picture of him giving side-eye while hoisting the high school state championship trophy a year ago. He then asked friends, family, and Instagram users of good will to bring him to Popeyes' attention.
" I JUST WANNA TALK BUISNESS (sic)," he wrote.
The ploy worked. He went viral once again, even prompting major sports media outlets like ESPN's "SportsCenter" to help him in his endeavor.
"People just started to join on my post and people that were on the 'SportsCenter' post," Collin said. "And I believe Monday afternoon was when Popeyes DM'ed me and said, 'We actually want to work with you.'"
Collin reported that Popeyes has made him an NIL offer, though he has not disclosed the details of the deal or confirmed that he has signed it.
\u201cBREAKING: Popeyes has signed Dieunerst Collin \u2014 "The Popeyes meme kid" \u2014 to an NIL deal.\n\nCollin is now a freshman offensive lineman at D-II Lake Erie College.\u201d— Front Office Sports (@Front Office Sports) 1673405128
Looking back, Collin can now appreciate his unsought fame, even though he struggled with it as a child.
"I ain’t gonna lie to you. Before, I did take [the meme] as offensive," Collin said in 2021. "Now, I do take it as a joke. When I look back at it, I laugh at it. In general, I’m known as being a funny guy."
Now those laughs can help keep him in the national spotlight and put a few more dollars in his pocket.
"I just want to thank everyone for going in the comments and tagging Popeyes," Collin said. "That actually led me to where I'm at now, so I'm grateful for that."
Did You Get Your 'Fauci Ouchie'? | 2/16/21