V Foundation’s ‘Boo-Yah’ gala, a celebration of ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott, raises record-breaking $3.1 million

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

The event is named in honor of Scott’s catch phrase during his time as SportsCenter anchor on ESPN.

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

“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 to be an inspiration for so many other folks, I mean, there are many, many cancer survivors today because of being inspired by the way that Stuart fought cancer.”

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

“The V Foundation is a huge part of who we are at ESPN,” said ESPN Chairman James Pitaro. “And all of our employees take so much pride in the V Foundation in general, in terms of our ability to contribute, pay it forward, pay back.”

Ten years after his death, Stuart Scott’s courage and his wit 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 science a science advisory committee that is second to none,” said Susan Scott, the sister of Stuart Scott, and board member of the V Foundation. “They say the country, I say the world. 100% of every dollar of donation 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 dual celebration of the film debut and gala.

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

Pro Football Hall of Famer, broadcaster and cancer survivor Randy Moss accepted the inaugural Stuart Scott Impact Award, thanking Scott’s mom for raising a game changer.

“I’m able to be myself on national television because Stuart Scott broke all the barriers and took care of that for not just me, but for other people of color to sit on television, the radio and be themselves,” Moss said.

Disney is the parent company of ESPN and this station.