Big Brother 25 vs. Crowdfunding Campaign
Scoreboard as of June 2:
The Big Brother Season 25 finale episode - 3.300,000 viewers
The Crowdfunding Campaign for BB 25 runner-up Matt Klotz - 16 donors
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Remember that Matt Klotz is the first deaf contestant and runner-up in the final episode of CBS’s Big Brother 25, which aired from August 2 to November 9, 2023.
On January 9, 2025, USA Deaf Swimming Inc. announced that 12 athletes, including Matt Klotz, were chosen to represent the USA in swimming at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, scheduled from November 15 to 26.
Click the SwimSwam article to see the list of selected swimmers
On February 20, Matt’s mother launched the GoFundMe to send Matt to the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics.
After several days of the launch date, Klotz’s fund was raised to $370 of the $4,000 goal.
Then, on March 31, USA Deaf Swimming launched another crowdfunding campaign for the entire team.
As of June 3, 25 donors have raised this fund to $2,725 of the $120,000 goal.
Click on the crowdfunding campaign for the America's Deaf Swim Team
On May 22, the KTAL News (of Shreveport, LA) told the viewers that Matt Klotz is seeking public support to fund his trip to the Deaflympics in Tokyo this November.
As of June 3, Klotz’s fund has been increased to $610, 15% of the $4000 goal.
Question: Do any 3,5 million BB25 viewers know Klotz’s plea?
His mother, Linda Klotz, explains:
Unfortunately, USA deaf athletes do not receive funding support like the USA Olympic and Paralympic teams do, so he is asking for support. The trip will cost approximately. 10K in fees, training, equipment, and travel expenses.
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At the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics (CSUSOP) public hearing on September 6, 2023, Jeff Mansfield, the current President of the U.S.A. Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF) pleaded with the commissioners, “I urge the insertion of the Deaflympics into the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and USOPC's mandate and for the investment in Deaflympians.”
Surprisingly, the CSUSOP did not recommend the 26-year-long request from the dedicated past Deaflympians. Instead, the CSUSOP provided the following recommendations in the Report to Congress:
The Final CSUSOP Report was issued on March 1, 2024, 15 months ago. However, no congressional actions have been taken regarding these recommendations.
Consequently, the newly selected Deaflympians heading to the 2025 Deaflympics in Japan will not receive any funding from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee; therefore, they must raise funds independently (PERIOD).
Can you imagine that the parents of FOUR Deaflympian siblings sold their mobile home to watch their children participate in the 1985 World Games for the Deaf (renamed the Deaflympics in 2001) in Germany?
Howard “Howie” Gorrell attended 13 of the last 14 Deaflympics since 1969 and is a 2004 recipient of the USADSF Jerald M. Jordan Award, given to those who exhibit leadership and continuous participation toward the goals of the Deaflympics, as well as the 2011 Art Kruger Award for demonstrating leadership, constant participation, support, and contribution in the USADSF over an extended period.