The 40th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner will take place on Sept. 29, 2025, at the New York Hilton Midtown. The event is hosted by Marc Buoniconti to mark four decades since he was paralyzed during a college football game, an experience he credits with changing his life.
This year’s dinner supports The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis and recognizes 10 athletes who have reached significant milestones in their sports careers. Honorees include two-time World Series Champion Albert Pujols, National Basketball Association Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, NBA Champion Dwight Howard, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinees Warren Moon and Thurman Thomas, NASCAR Hall of Fame enshrinee Kurt Busch (class of 2026), National Hockey League Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick, Olympic speedskating medalist Apolo Ohno, U.S. Women’s Open Golf Champion Michelle Wie West (2014), and QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Famer Frankie Dettori.
Dr. Barth Green, co-founder and chairman of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, will be presented with The Buoniconti Fund Award. Mario Gabelli, an investor known for his philanthropic efforts, will receive the Outstanding Philanthropist Award.
The Masters of Ceremonies are music artist Gloria Estefan—who has received eight Grammy Awards and a Presidential Medal of Freedom—and broadcaster Bob Costas. Foreigner is scheduled to perform at the event.
Major supporters include the DiMare Family and Paul J. DiMare Foundation as title sponsors; Tudor Group and the Mack Family are presenting sponsors. Mark Dalton from Tudor Group continues as chairman for the event with Reed Mack and Richard Gray serving as co-chairs.
