Flavor Flav and MGM Resorts International are running an Olympian power play.
The rap superstar and pop culture personality and resorts company have announced a July 16 through 19 “She Got Game” event for U.S. Winter Olympic athletes. MGM Resorts is the event’s full partner.
An MGM Resorts rep confirmed the plans Thursday morning:
“MGM Resorts is hosting the She Got Game weekend July 16-19 in Las Vegas. Planning is underway and details will be shared soon as we get ready to celebrate our incredible USA athletes in a way only MGM Resorts knows how: World-class hospitality, high-energy fun, and memorable experiences. Stay tuned to @mgmresortsintl for the latest updates.”
The invitees include all U.S. female medal-winners, the U.S. bobsled and skeleton team from the Milan Games, and Paralympic athletes (the Paralympic Games run March 6-16, also in Milan).
Flav drew a swift, citywide response to his offer Monday to host the women medal winners from the games in Milan. Virtually every major resort offered public support, as did the LVCVA, Clark County Commission and Mayor Shelley Berkley.
Flav reportedly received offers from every major Las Vegas resort. The 66-year-old icon posted in typically bombastic fashion on Thursday morning, “WOOWWW,, Thrilled I gets to partner with @mgmresortsintl as the host for the SHE GOT GAME weekend July 16-19 in Las Vegas! More info coming soon as I work with MGM to bring to life an epic party for our USA athletes.”
Given that Flavor Flav is involved, we are not ruling out an open party that would include Public Enemy (with Chuck D. joining the frivolity). Keep an eye on Toshiba Plaza and T-Mobile Arena for a public performance, possibly a parade, with details forthcoming.
Members of the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team who play for the Seattle Torrent say they are up for the Vegas spectacle. Team captain Hilary Knight, forward Alex Carpenter, forward Hannah Bilka and defender Cayla Barnes addressed the event planning in a news conference in Seattle on Thursday.
“I’ve been messaging him a little bit here,” Carpenter said, responding to a question from the Seattle Times. “He’s probably my most texted person right now. It was definitely super special after everything that’s been going around online to be able to have someone step up like that and really go to bat for us. Obviously, we will finish our seasons up here, and then I think we’re fully going to take advantage of that and go have some fun and celebrate like we deserve to.”
Knight then contributed, “We will be well fed and well hydrated (by Flav).”
On Thursday, Flav buttressed his campaign by starting a GoFundMe campaign to support “She Got Game.” Money is also being directed to the athletes who attend.
“These athletes dedicate countless hours to their training and competition, often while juggling second and third jobs just to make ends meet,” Flav wrote on GoFundMe. “They deserve to be celebrated and supported for their achievements, not just on the field but in their everyday lives.”
Even before his Vegas party endeavor, Flav has a history of supporting female Olympians. He backed the U.S. women’s water polo team’s run at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. He has since signed on through 2029 as “Hype Man” for the squad. That commitment includes financial support.
Initially, Flav’s Winter Olympics invitation was directed only at the U.S. women’s hockey team. He checked in after President Donald Trump invited the men’s gold-medalist team, following its 2-1 victory over Canada, to Tuesday’s State of the Union speech.
“I must tell you, we’re gonna have to bring the women’s team — you do know that,” Trump said, adding that he would “probably would be impeached” if he didn’t invite the women’s team.
Trump said in his State of the Union speech the women’s team would visit the White House. No word on whether the co-founder of Public Enemy would be part of that party.
Cool Hang Alert
Lounge icon Joe Darro is back with his quartet of Adam Shendal on drums, Bob Sachs on bass, John Falbo at the Dispensary Lounge from 6-9 p.m. Sunday. Bonnie Graham on vocals. This is a show for the ages, folks. No cover. Two-drink minimum. Go to thedispenarylounge.com for intel.
SHE GOT GAME. July 16-19. Viva Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/NdPjIbGWgO
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) February 26, 2026
!
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.