PARTAGAS RELEASES FIRST US-MADE CIGAR IN
COLLABORATION WITH EL TITÁN DE BRONZE
Partagas will release its first collaboration in April with Partagas de Bronce, an exceptional
cigar handcrafted in Miami by the Cuban expatriate rollers of the famed El Titán de Bronze
Cigar Factory.
The cigar’s name calls upon the Spanish spelling of “bronce” in tribute to the origins of Partagas
and El Titan de Bronze.
Partagas de Bronce was blended by STG’s Justin Andrews, with Sandy Cobas and the blending
team at El Titán de Bronze. Made with a Corojo wrapper, Partagas de Bronce is a medium-
bodied Nicaraguan puro that brims with nuances. Cocoa, earth, wood, hints of citrus and an
intriguing creaminess deliver a cigar that highlights the heritage of Partagas with the artistry of
El Titán de Bronze.
John Hakim, brand manager of Partagas said, “For a venerable brand like Partagas,
collaborating with a legend like Sandy Cobas and creating a special, limited edition cigar at her
family-owned factory marks an important step in Partagas’ evolution. Partagas de Bronce
highlights Partagas’ devotion to old-world cigarmaking techniques, and its commitment to
marching the brand forward through innovation. We look forward to sharing this exceptional
blend with cigar lovers across the country.”
Partagas de Bronce will be released in April, when 5,000 boxes, each signed by the El Titán de
Bronze cigarmaker who crafted them, will ship to retailers. Each box contains ten cigars.
Partagas de Bronce Corona Gorda (6.25” x 46) – SRP per cigar $22.99
PCA Announces Date and Location for 2024 Annual Convention and Trade Show
[Washington, DC — Fri, March 24, 2023] The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced today that the 2024 Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held March 22-25, 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This marks a change from the traditional summer time trade show to earlier in the year. PCA is currently negotiating contracts for the 2025 Annual Convention and Trade Show for an early spring date in a new location and expects to announce that in the coming weeks.
“From pretty much my first day on the job, I have heard from numerous members that moving the trade show earlier in the year would be better for the annual business cycle,” said PCA Executive Director Scott Pearce. “Over the past couple of years we have sent out several surveys inquiring about time of year and location and we held a town-hall style meeting with the membership at last year’s trade show to elicit feedback from our members. Our board has listened and put in some good work to respond to the voice of our membership,” Pearce said.
“With the move to March, the board really feels that this an optimal time for the industry as retailers will be able to place orders before the busy season hits and get the new and exclusive products on their shelves when demand is the highest,” said Greg Zimmerman, president of the PCA Board. “Plus, we anticipate that many retailers who are not able to attend in summer when business is at its peak, will be able to attend our industry’s largest event,” Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman also recognized and thanked the Tobacconists Association of America (TAA) for their support as the new PCA trade show dates conflict with the traditional dates of the TAA meeting. “I know the new dates have presented a big challenge for TAA as March is typically when they hold their meeting. Throughout this process they have been incredibly understanding and supportive and I would like to sincerely thank their board for the hard work they have put in to adjust their plans to make the PCA date change a reality,” Zimmerman said.
Mike Conder, the associate board representative on the PCA Executive Committee said the earlier dates makes a lot of sense and anticipates it will yield good results for all who participate. “As an exhibitor, I do think having the show earlier will enhance our potential for product turns during the prime selling months for much of the country. Additionally, having the opportunity to meet with our retail partners earlier in the annual sales cycle to plan our events and other promotional activities will give everyone a better chance to maximize activity right through the year,” said Conder.
Chair of the PCA trade show committee and Vice President of the Board, Scott Regina, commented on the importance of PCA to continuously look for ways to evolve the trade show to meet the changing needs of the industry. “As a board, we seriously consider all aspects of the trade show as a way to benefit our members. We made sure to get a lot of feedback via surveys, meetings, and conversations to ensure that we were making good, informed decisions. I think that not only moving the dates of the show, but with many of the new initiatives that we’ve been adding to the show to enable more networking, exclusive products, and better educational seminars, the impact of the show will continue to grow,” Regina said.
For information on the PCA23 Annual Convention and Trade show please visit www.pcashow.org
ABOUT PCA
Founded in 1933, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is the oldest, largest, and most active trade association representing and assisting retailers, manufacturers and suppliers of premium tobacco products. PCA is a not-for-profit trade association whose mission is the grow specialty tobacco retailing.
Punch invites cigar lovers to take a trip back in time with Punch Golden Era, a new, three-cigar
collection that will be a full-time addition to the Punch anthology.
Punch Golden Era celebrates the beauty and versatility of the corojo tobacco that had a starring role
in the “golden age” of cigars. Corojo had been used as the wrapper of choice until tobacco diseases
and mold brought the tobacco to the brink of extinction.
Today, Punch is bringing Corojo tobacco back to its former glory, thanks to the famous Cuban seeds
that have been cultivated on a 650-acre farm in Honduras by the Eiroa family.
The cigar is made with Honduran-grown, Cuban seed Corojo wrapper and binder, and its filler is
comprised of Honduran-grown Habano and Cuban-seed Corojo tobacco.
John Hakim, brand manager for Punch said, “The Eiroa family has perfected Corojo tobacco and we
are excited to bring it to life with Punch Golden Era. This tobacco delivers a silky, golden wrapper, a
binder with ideal combustibility and a filler that produces unique spicy notes and a spectrum of
nuances. We’re especially pleased to make a true Corojo experience available for cigar lover to enjoy
any time the occasion calls for a rich and rewarding smoke.”
Mellow-to-medium-bodied, Punch Golden Era is elegant and refined. The cigar balances notes of
earth, cream and nuts.
Punch Golden Era is hand made at Fabrica de Puros Aladino SA in Honduras. The cigars will be
presented in 20-count boxes and will ship to retailers on May 1. The line will launch with three sizes.
Robusto (5” x 50); SRP per cigar $9.99
Toro (6” x 52); SRP per cigar $10.49
Churchill (7” x 48); SRP per cigar $10.99
Los Angeles, CA, March 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — El Septimo has hired seasoned Sales Executive, Franklin Kleckner, to support its continuous sales growth and expansion throughout US retail centers. Franklin Kleckner will be joining El Septimo beginning on April 3, 2023 as Sales Manager of the Eastern Seaboard. His territories will include South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, D.C., West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
Franklin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing from George Mason University in Virginia and has spent the past 6 years working for Rocky Patel Cigars as a Head Trainer and Regional Sales Manager in Virginia and the Carolinas.
Zaya Younan, CEO of El Septimo Cigars, says, “We continue to grow globally by taking market share from all leading cigar companies, and in preparation for this continuous growth, we need to expand our direct sales force team to better service our retailers”
FranklinKleckner adds, “I’m thrilled to be joining El Septimo, a company that is reinventing the industry and producing cigars that everyone is talking about. It is very difficult to smoke any other cigar once you’ve had an El Septimo. Not only are their cigars and accessories world-class, but their growth is something that I have never seen before. After experiencing the unique layers of complexity and refinement that El Septimo cigars have to offer, I knew I had to go on this journey with El Septimo and I’m excited to share this experience with enthusiasts across the Eastern Seaboard.”
Younan finishes, “We welcome Franklin Kleckner to our team and are looking forward to his contributions towards this luxury brand of cigars and accessories. We will be announcing other hires, as we believe 2023 will be our biggest growth year yet.”
El Septimo is continuing to look for industry veterans experienced in the areas of sales, customer service, marketing, and production management.
Phillips & King Contact:
Rachel McKnett
rachelmcknett@phillipsandking.com
The Return of Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve
Phillips & King now exclusively distributing the much-sought-after cigar in Corojo and Maduro.
(October 2022) Phillips & King is giving a hero’s welcome to Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve. This highly
desired cigar is returning to the premium cigar category 10 years after its initial release, and is now
being exclusively distributed by Phillips & King as of late September 2022. Known in the industry for
their exceptional product selection and service, Phillips & King is pleased to add this customer-favorite,
whose bold blend helped put Rocky Patel on the map when it was first launched.
“Rocky Patel’s Olde World Reserve is an iconic
cigar that every premium tobacconist should
have in stock,” says Jason Carignan, President of
Phillips & King. “And the royal treatment from
Phillips & King is ideal for its grand re-entry to
the market. We are excited to partner with the
great minds and industry veterans at Rocky
Patel, and are even more excited to get these
cigars into the hands of our retail customers.
The smokes are beautifully nuanced, and truly
incomparable. We see great success ahead for
both of our brands.”
One of Rocky Patel’s best-selling cigars to date, the Olde World Reserve offers a medium-to-full-bodied
profile, with Nicaraguan binders and fillers, and two wrappers that bring their distinct regional flavors to
the overall experience:
The Maduro. Richly dark in color, this cigar is
hand-rolled at Rocky Patel’s TaviCusa Factory in
Esteli, Nicaragua, and delivers flavors of
volcanic earthiness, natural tobacco sweetness,
and black pepper with a salted caramel finish. It
is available in the following sizes: Robusto, Sixty,
Toro
The Corojo. Hand-rolled at the Paraiso Factory
in Danli, Honduras, this smooth cigar offers
notes of toasty wood and graham cracker
complemented by the natural sweetness of the
Corojo leaf. It is available in the following sizes:
Robusto, Sixty, Toro
With an extensive network of distribution and tax compliance capabilities, Phillips & King will be
shipping the Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve cigars to retailers in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
Guam, Puerto Rico, and globally to US military bases. For more information or to place an order to carry
Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve, please visit phillipsandking.com or call 800-532-4427.
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About Phillips & King
Phillips & King, a subsidiary of Kretek International, Inc., is a leading distributor of specialty tobacco,
alternative smoking products, and accessories in the United States. Since 1906, the company has built a
strong reputation by focusing on independent and small chain convenience, tobacco, and liquor
retailers. Phillips & King offers an unparalleled catalog of products and ships to all 50 states, the US
Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and globally to US military bases, providing hassle-free tobacco tax
compliance, easy web-ordering and a team of knowledgeable customer service experts. For more
information, please visit phillipsandking.com.
CFPB Launches New Effort to Promote Competition and Innovation in Consumer Finance
New Office Will Identify Obstacles for New Market Entrants
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is opening a new office, the Office of Competition and Innovation, as part of a new approach to help spur innovation in financial services by promoting competition and identifying stumbling blocks for new market entrants. The office will replace the Office of Innovation that focused on an application-based process to confer special regulatory treatment on individual companies. The new office will support a broader initiative by the CFPB to analyze obstacles to open markets, better understand how big players are squeezing out smaller players, host incubation events, and, in general, make it easier for people to switch financial providers.
“Competition is one of the best forms of motivation. It can help companies innovate and make their products better, and their customers happier,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. “We will be looking at ways to clear obstacles and pave the path to help people have more options and more easily make choices that are best for their needs.”
The CFPB has a statutory mandate to promote fair, transparent, and competitive markets. Families, honest businesses, and the entire economy benefit when consumer finance markets are fiercely competitive, rather than dominated by a handful of firms. Digital technology is transforming the markets, including how payments, deposits, and lending are provided and who provides them. Big banks, fintech, big tech, incumbents, and small start-ups are all jockeying to be in front. The Office of Competition and Innovation will focus on how to create market conditions where consumers have choices, the best products win, and large incumbents cannot stifle competition by exploiting their network effects or market power.
The new office will support the CFPB’s general effort at increasing competition for the benefit of all consumers. Specifically, the CFPB will:
Give consumers their walking rights to switch providers: Competition is more vibrant when people can switch to a new provider easily, creating pressure on incumbents to maintain high levels of service and giving new entrants an opportunity to win customers. The CFPB will be exploring ways to reduce the barriers to switching accounts and providers.
Research structural problems blocking successes: The new office will be housed in the CFPB’s Research, Markets, and Regulation division, giving it greater access to resources to look at market-structure problems that create obstacles to innovation. For example, this could include greater explorations of the payment networks market or the credit reporting system, both of which are essential to our financial system but have only a few dominant players.
Understand how bigger players can gain advantage over smaller players: Sometimes start-ups simply get runover by bigger players. For example, big companies can easily pitch new products to their large customer bases and stymie outside players who may have more favorable products. Big tech companies, with their huge reaches, are also seeking new ways to join consumer finance markets and may threaten fair competition.
Identify ways to address commonplace obstacles: Innovators may not be getting their products or services to market because of more practical problems like access to capital or talent. Or they may not launch because they don’t have access to the large volumes of digital data stored by the big banks. A future rulemaking by the CFPB under Section 1033 of the Consumer Financial Protection Act will give consumers access to their own data.
Host events to explore barriers to entry and other obstacles: The new office will convene events such as open houses, sprints, hackathons, tabletop exercises, and war games. Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and technology professionals will be able to collaborate, explore obstacles, and share frustrations with government regulators. Results will be shared publicly.
The Office of Competition and Innovation replaces the Office of Innovation, which opened in 2018, and Project Catalyst, launched in 2014. The Office of Innovation’s primary purpose was to process applications for No Action Letters and Sandboxes that applied to an individual company’s specific product offering. After a review of these programs, the agency concludes that the initiatives proved to be ineffective and that some firms participating in these programs made public statements indicating that the Bureau had conferred benefits upon them that the Bureau expressly did not.
The CFPB is also encouraging companies, start-ups, as well as members of the public to file rulemaking petitions to ask for greater clarity on particular rules. This will help level the playing field and foster competition by ensuring any actions the CFPB takes will apply to all companies in the market.
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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a 21st century agency thatimplements and enforces Federal consumer financial law and ensures that markets for consumer financial products are fair, transparent, and competitive. For more information, visit consumerfinance.gov
Phillips & King Introduces New Brand and Digital Strategy
Phillips & King rolls out a bold new look and announces launch of a digital platform that will modernize the B2B tobacco and related wholesale categories.
(January 2022) Phillips & King International, Inc. is kicking off 2022 with a new brand identity and the announcement of a forthcoming new wholesale e-commerce platform. A distributor of thousands of diverse products since 1906, Phillips & King has a long, successful history serving independent and small chain convenience, tobacco, and liquor retailers across the United States.
Phillips & King is unveiling a new brand identity to mark the beginning of the next chapter in the company’s story. A contemporary refinement of the company’s “shield and knight” badge, the new logo signifies its mission to modernize the business, while paying homage to the equity earned over their 116-year heritage.
Phillips & King has embarked on a complete digital transformation of its business to better serve the evolving needs of its retail customers and brand partners. Over the course of this year, the company will be launching a host of enhancements to its business, including a new web platform expected to launch in early Q2 that will make it easier than ever for stores to discover and stock the products that consumers want most. Phillips & King will also be greatly expanding its product and category assortment to give emerging brands the ability to reach more buyers— and give stores access to the best new products on the market.
“The future of B2B wholesale commerce is both digital and highly-personalized,” says Jason Carignan, President of Phillips & King. “Our new web platform will enable us to more easily connect buyers and sellers across the industry and offer a more expansive array of products and categories- all while improving the personal connection our sales teams have with customers. We believe that retailers should be able to manage their entire business with ease from their mobile device and have access to business intelligence— and expert guidance— that helps drive inventory-buying decisions. This new platform is the first step in our quest to helping stores thrive in the new retail reality.”
To get an extensive first look at the new Phillips & King brand identity, those attending TPE 2022 can visit booth #4081 at the show, happening in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 26 – January 28, 2022. Visit phillipsandking.com for more information and to experience the future of business.
About Phillips & King
Phillips & King, a subsidiary of Kretek International, Inc., is a leading distributor of specialty tobacco, alternative smoking products, and accessories in the United States. Since 1906, the company has built a strong reputation by focusing on independent and small chain convenience, tobacco, and liquor retailers. Phillips & King offers an unparalleled catalog of products and ships to all 50 states, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and globally to US military bases, providing hassle-free tobacco tax compliance, easy web-ordering and a team of knowledgeable customer service experts. For more information, please visit phillipsandking.com.
Kretek International, Inc. Announces Departure of Patrick Hurd, CSO
Moorpark, CA – April 30, 2021 – Kretek International, Inc., a leading American cigar and specialty tobacco manufacturer, importer, wholesaler and distributor announces the departure of long time Chief Sales Officer Patrick Hurd after two decades with the company. Hurd’s exit from the company is expected as of May 31, 2021.
Patrick Hurd originally joined Kretek in November 2000, while launching its Canadian subsidiary, Kretek Canada. Under his leadership, as General Manager, Kretek Canada experienced extensive growth for eleven (11) years before he moved to the United States in June 2011 to launch Kretek International’s Ventura Cigar Company as its General Manager. Hurd was promoted to Vice President Sales in 2013 and to Chief Sales Officer in 2017.
Hurd leaves the company for personal reasons, to rejoin his family who moved back to Toronto, Canada full time in 2019. The current Covid-19 crisis made commuting infeasible, which prompted Hurd’s decision to move back to Canada full-time.
Kretek International’s President, Sean Cassar commented, “Patrick has been a vital member of our executive team and a significant contributor to the growth of our proprietary brands. He will be missed, but as a family business we appreciate the decision he’s made to focus on his family during these unprecedented times.”
Hurd remarked, “Leaving a family business as strong and tightly knit as Kretek is never an easy decision, but my own family is obviously my priority, and that means I need to be back home with them in Canada. I also look forward to seeing my industry peers and customers at TPE 21 in Las Vegas, May 12-14, 2021 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.”
Kretek currently intends to enter into a consulting agreement with Hurd that will become effective upon his departure and has not announced a successor at this time.
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About Kretek International, Inc.
Kretek International, Inc., parent company to DRYFT Sciences, LLC, Phillips & King, Ventura Cigar Company, and Tobacco Media Group (TMG) is a leading American importer, marketer, and distributor of cigars and specialty tobacco products sold by convenience, mass, and national retailers. For over 30 years, Kretek has enjoyed a strong reputation for providing exceptional customer relationships and top-quality goods. The company continues to offer standout brands like Djarum, Cuban Rounds, and Djeep Lighters to distribution channels across the United States and Canada, bringing value, high margins, and growth to retailers and distributors.
Tobacco Media Group moving the Tobacco Plus Expo to May 2021
August 2020 – In an exceptional year of uncertainty due to COVID-19, Tobacco Media Group (TMG) is taking steps to support the Tobacco, Vapor, and Alternative Industries by moving their Tobacco Plus Expo to May 12-14, 2021.
Generally a tradeshow scheduled at the beginning of the year, TMG had been moving forward with plans for TPE 2021 in January, with most of the show floor already sold out to Exhibitors. The opportunity arose to move the show to May, and TMG recognized that the later timing would be better for the industry and the peace of mind for all who attend TPE. After careful thought, the company made the decision to move forward with the new dates.
Says Ben Stimpson, Managing Director of Tobacco Media Group, “A lot of work has already gone into the planning of a blockbuster TPE 2021, so when we were presented with the opportunity to move the show to May, we knew we needed to jump on it. It is our hope that the later timing allows the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 to improve and gets us well out of range of the traditional winter flu season. Plus, the warmer weather of May gives us more options to safely execute the business and networking aspects of the show. We are committed to producing a successful TPE 2021 for all of our Exhibitors and Attendees and feel confident that this new timing has everyone’s best interests in mind.”
As TPE 2021 planning progresses, TMG will continue to gather safety insights and suggestions from voices within the tobacco industry and will release show details as they further fall into place. Additionally, TMG is working closely with the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Las Vegas Visitor’s Bureau to stay abreast of the latest safety guidance advisories for the city. The company will be keeping a close eye on evolving health and wellbeing protocols and will make every effort to ensure best practices are followed.
When informed of the decision to move the dates of TPE 2021, CEO of Drew Estate, Glenn Wolfson said “Drew Estate has always been a big supporter of TPE and it has been gratifying to have witnessed the tradeshow’s increased quality and impact on the entire industry. While we certainly will miss not being able to participate in the trade show at the end of January, which is designed to help create a fast start for all industry stakeholders in the new year, the decision to defer the show to May was smart, and the right thing to do. TMG has really elevated the business opportunities available to retailers and manufacturers.” Wolfson went on to add that “what is most gratifying is that TMG reached out to solicit the perspectives of more than 125 retailers and 50 exhibitors via telephone and Zoom video conversations and an email survey. Their interest in listening to the voices of so many industry participants about the design of the 2021 show is refreshing, and the decision to change dates this far ahead of the original dates, demonstrates TMG’s commitment to true collaboration with, and respect of, the needs of both retailers and manufacturers. Drew Estate will certainly be participating in TPE 2021.”
Echoing similar sentiments for TPE, Eli Davis and Shahar Ilus from Ketoret BioNaturals, Inc. offered, “We’re very excited to get back to some normalcy. TPE’s new show dates will give our world the chance to make a strong comeback.”
TPE 2021 will be held May 12-14, 2021 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The only thing different from the original TPE 2021 plan are the dates. The exhibiting space, show floor layout, and convention center hall will be the same as initially planned when the show was in January. For more information, please visit the TPE 2021 website.
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About TPE:
Under the banner of Tobacco Media Group (TMG) owned by Kretek International, Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) is the largest B2B tobacco trade show highlighting the full-spectrum of tobacco, vapor, alternatives and general merchandise products available on the ever-evolving market. TPE 2021 is planning to deliver the industry’s most compelling content, products, and information, and will be held May 12, 2021 through May 14, 2021 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. To learn more about the show, please visit the website: www.tobaccoplusexpo.com.
Discrimination Alleged Against Under Armour and Riverside Under the Lights Flag Football Franchise, Specific to a 6-Year Old Type 1 Diabetic Flag Football Player Girl – Gracie Sevilla; Department of Justice Complaint Filed
A Federal complaint was filed against the multi-national sports apparel and equipment company – Under Armour, and the Under the Lights Flag Football Franchise, alleging that the local league – Riverside Under the Lights, headed by Cory Wells and the parent league; a Florida based company headed by ex-Arena Football League Quarterback, John Kaleo, willfully discriminated against a person with a qualifying disability – Gracie Sevilla, age 6.
The Complaint, a precursor to a Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit, alleges that a willful and malicious discrimination against a person with a qualifying disability under The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131-12134, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, occurred and is currently under review by the Department of Justice.
In May 2019, Gracie Sevilla, a 6 year old standout flag football player on her father, Tommy Sevilla’s K-2 Under Armour Friday Night Lights – Riverside Steelers – 7 on 7 Flag Football Team, was blatantly refused “reasonable accommodation” to play in the Steelers playoff game(s) by League Commissioner, Cory Wells, after such was requested by her coach and father and her mother, Melodie Sevilla, in writing.
Gracie, as a Type 1 Diabetic, wears a Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring device (“CGM”) affixed to her thigh, while playing sports and otherwise. The device has a small filament that penetrates the skin’s fluid just below the epidermis and reads her blood glucose level every 5 seconds, rendering a cumulative reading every 5 minutes, that if high or low, signals alarms. The alarms then allow the parent or caregiver ample time to treat the life-threatening high or low.
For a Type 1 Diabetic, a blood sugar level reading that is too high or low causes a multitude of ill symptoms and leads to a diabetic coma then death when not treated in a timely manner.
The receiving medical device must be within 10 yards of Gracie at all times or a signal loss will occur and no potentially life-saving reading will be given. Gracie’s River Springs Charter School nurse, teacher and school campus proctor are others who have the app downloaded on their personal cell phones for monitoring, alerts, treatment and emergency care.
Type 1 Diabetes is an incurable autoimmune disorder of the Pancreas whereby the Pancreas stops producing life-saving Insulin necessary to survive and metabolize carbohydrates. Type 1 Diabetics like Gracie, must receive Insulin via needle injections into the skin; on average, Gracie receives 10-15 Insulin injections per day.
Commissioner and League Owner, Cory Wells, after barring Gracie’s father from coaching in the Playoffs, due to a personal dispute with him over Wells’ failure to address the misconduct of a rival coach that lead to a near riot on the football field with parents and coaches, and ensure the safety of his players and others for the upcoming playoffs, Gracie’s coach and Father, in an email, advised Wells that he was obligated under Federal law to have either Gracie’s mother or trained medical personnel on the field with the receiving device (within 10 yards of Gracie) to allow Gracie to play, to which Wells’ scoffed at the request.
Commissioner/Owner Wells, in an email, arrogantly refused the request by Gracie’s parents; dismissed the ADA provision and mandate for a “reasonable accommodation” and brashly welcomed threatened complaints and impending lawsuit(s).
In further retaliation toward Gracie and her parents an unprecedented league-wide email. Cory Wells, stated that no unauthorized persons would be admitted on to the field and that the gate would be locked and security tight; a specific reference to Gracie coach and father, Tommy Sevilla, as well as her mother, who could have taken her coach and father’s spot on the field with the receiving device and thus allowing her to play.
Cory Wells, the league commissioner, was well aware of Gracie being a Type 1 Diabetic. Gracie Sevilla was the youngest player in his league for the second season in a row, the only girl, and the only Type 1 Diabetic; one who had brought great positive publicity to his league, receiving local, regional, national and International media coverage associated with her being a unique young female athlete playing Football with Type 1 Diabetes.
Statement from Under Armour Friday Night Lights Coach, Tommy Sevilla, father to Luke and Gracie Sevilla:
“It is mind-boggling that a person in such a position that Corey Wells is in, purporting to operate a youth sports franchise for kids with a pure motive, acted in such a manner, proving clearly that it’s all about money and he has no regard for the safety and welfare of the kids in his league both from a security and health standpoint.
As a father himself he should no better and to scoff at Gracie’s condition and legitimate request for a reasonable accommodation, he must have a dark, arrogant soul.
Yet, how shameful is it of Under Armour and Under the Lights also, to have responded as they have!
John Kaleo, is an arrogant, cocky jerk and Eric Ogbogu, totally turned his back on the issue after handing it over to Kaleo, showing that Under Armour simply passed the buck and has no regard for Gracie or other Type 1 Diabetics.
We, as a family, rock Under Armour gear and have supported the Brand for years. It is unbelievable for John Kaleo to state that their (Under Armour) “team of lawyers” assured him that this was not discriminatory, nor a civil rights violation and much less an ADA issue. It is utterly shameful and insensitive; an example of corporate greed and human disconnect.
Gracie was supposed to just play without medical supervision, signal loss from her medical device whereby we have no idea what her blood glucose level was?!
How hard was it to allow Melodie, Gracie’s mom on the field, in my place, with the receiver, to monitor her blood sugar level and treat her accordingly?!
The actions of Under the Lights, Under Armour and Cory Wells has been arrogant, proud and an absolute affront to children with disabilities; a complete and utter contradiction to what they claim their brands’ stand for and they owe, at minimum, a contrite and sincere apology to Gracie, and to all like her who without proper medical supervision and treatment, can die suddenly.
Unbelievable how it has come to this, how they have robbed this little girl and her loyal brother, who refused to play without his sister, Dad and coach on the field, of a playoff and National Championship Tournament experience, all on account of Cory Wells’ deliberate indifference, sickening arrogance and blatant disregard for a young girl with a life threatening illness.
Pathetic.”
The Federal Complaint against Cory Wells, alleges that Wells retaliated against Gracie and her parents with foresight of malice, because he was angry with her father (the team’s Head Coach for the second year in a row) for him having complained about Wells’ unfair treatment to Under Armour seeking their intervention.
When Under Armour was contacted about the situation, Eric Ogbogu, a former Dallas Cowboy, passed the issue along to John Kaleo, the Friday Night Lights Franchise Founder and Owner, who mocked and dismissed Gracie’s situation and its relevance to the American with Disabilities Act, both showning a deliberate indifference toward accommodating a person with a qualifying disability; Gracie Sevilla, a 6-year old Type 1 Diabetic girl football player.
In attempt to appease Gracie’s father and coach, John Kaleo, extended an invitation to Tommy Sevilla, the Steelers coach, for them to compete in Under Armour’s National Championship Tournament, since Gracie, nor her brother, Luke Sevilla, the teams star quarterback and player, couldn’t compete in the league’s playoffs to qualify fairly for the tournament; the Steelers would would fail to advance without Luke, Gracie and Coach Tommy on the field and barely have enough players to field a team. However, this was an insincere invitation as it would be impossible for Sevilla to field a team due to the negative fallout surrounding the original near riot incident and Commissioner Wells’ steadfast refusal to share the leagues other coaches’ contact information, so as to allow Coach Sevilla to invite the league’s other players to join his National Championship team, thus making the invitation to compete of no value.
Kaleo refused to intervene in Wells’ retaliation and assist Sevilla in adding players to his team, and it was learned that Wells, in fact, helped the opposing coach (the one who committed the original misconduct) form a team by adding the league’s best players from other teams to his team; the very thing requested by Sevilla.
Previous to this ADA violation, the previous Fall Season of the Riverside Under Armour League, Wells, and the Hillcrest High School Football Coach and Athletic Director, scoffed at and refused to remedy a situation whereby, spectators to the Under Games were forced to park in the lower student parking lot and walk up a steep grade, several hundred yards to steep steps that lead to the football field. This unreasonable trek prevented elderly persons and persons with physical disabilities from accessing the field. Wells failed to address the issue of the gate, which lead to the upper parking lot and access ramps/stairs, being locked, which forced all spectators, including the disabled, to make the long, challenging trek up the steep grade.
The Hillcrest High School Football Coach and Athletic Director, believing he had called Wells to complain about the “woman” who complained about the situation, actually called her, and began the phone call by disparaging the complaining party.
A long email thread substantiating the allegations against Under the Lights and Under Armour exist and upon exhaustion of administrative remedy, a Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit will be filed against Under Armour, the Under the Lights Football Franchise (John Kaleo) and Cory Wells’ corporation that is associated the league, as well as specific persons in their individual capacities, for a deliberate indifference toward Gracie Sevilla, a person/athlete with a Federally recognized physical disability.
Gracie Sevilla has continued to play sports without such retaliation and discrimination since the incident, excelling as an infielder and pitcher with Jurupa Valley Little League, thriving as a Quarterback with the Corona Friday Night Lights Flag Football League with her father Tommy as Head Coach, and most recently in Gymnastics.
Brother Luke Sevilla, would subsequently, lead his Ohio State Buckeyes Team to the Corona Friday Night Lights – Sophomore Silver Division League Championship, with his father as Coach.
Gracie will be joining the 3G Wrestling Team out of La Verne, California, a team her brother, Luke, currently competes with, and will also begin her training as a Boxer with the Jurupa Valley Boxing Club, where her father sits on the Board of Directors.
It is believed that she would become the only and youngest female wrestler and boxer with USA Boxing and USA Wrestling.
Gracie has been featured as a Type 1 Diabetic Athlete in International, National and Local news sources, both in print and on television.
Gracie has a website and You Tube channel in development; website currently points to her GoFundMe page created for Type 1 Diabetes Awareness and fundraising for a specially trained Diabetic Alert Dog: http://GraceForTheCure.org and http://GracieSevilla.com
