The V Foundation’s ‘Boo-Yah’ Event Celebrating Stuart Scott Raises a Record $3.1 Million

NEW YORK CITY — The V Foundation for Cancer Research raised a record $3.1 million Wednesday night in New York at its fifth annual “Boo-Yah” event, a celebration of former ESPN anchor Stuart Scott.

The event is named in honor of Scott’s catchphrase during his time as a SportsCenter anchor at ESPN.

Also on Wednesday, the network debuted “Boo-Yah: A Portrait of Stuart Scott,” a new “30 for 30” film that tells his story, including his battle with cancer.

“He was forced to fight it and in such a public way because he was such a huge public figure,” said director and producer Andre Gaines. “But to do it with that level of class and that level of grace and be an inspiration to so many other people, I mean, there are a lot of cancer survivors today because they’re inspired by the way Stuart fought cancer.”

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, founded in part by ESPN, draws on that same inspiration and holds its annual auction gala in Manhattan.

“The V Foundation is a big part of who we are at ESPN,” said ESPN Chairman James Pitaro. “And all of our employees are so proud of the V Foundation overall, in terms of our ability to contribute, pay forward and pay back.”

Ten years after his death, Stuart Scott’s courage and humor continue to drive this event as it adds to the growing total of more than $400 million the V Foundation has raised for cancer research.

“We have a scientific advisory committee that is second to none,” said Susan Scott, sister of Stuart Scott, and board member of the V Foundation. “They say country, I say world. 100% of every dollar in donations goes directly to funding cancer research. And we will always do those two things.”

Susan Scott, her siblings and 90-year-old mother Jackie were part of the double celebration of the film debut and gala.

It was hosted by Stuart Scott’s former co-anchor Rich Eisen and ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott, who has no relationship with Stuart Scott.

Pro Football Hall of Famer, broadcaster and cancer survivor Randy Moss accepted the inaugural Stuart Scott Impact Award and thanked Scott’s mother for raising a gamechanger.

“I can be myself on national television because Stuart Scott broke all the barriers and made it so that not only me, but other people of color could sit on television and on the radio and be themselves,” Moss said.

Disney is the parent company of ESPN and this channel.