New York Yankees Legend Derek Jeter Wins Fraud Lawsuit After Charity Exploited Sick Kids — New York Protects Its True Champion
New York, NY — Derek Jeter has always been defined by compassion and perseverance. From All-Star shortstop to community icon, Jeter became the heartbeat of the New York Yankees during his legendary career. Yet even with his MLB accolades and Hall of Fame–worthy statistics, Jeter insists his greatest victories have been off the field.
As founder of "The HEARTest Yard Foundation," Jeter has spent years raising millions to support children and families battling congenital heart disease — inspired by his son, T.J. His foundation has funded hospital wings, family assistance programs, and pediatric research across New York, earning him the reputation of one of the MLB’s most charitable figures.
That mission came under threat when a partnering charity, supposedly dedicated to children’s cardiac care, was exposed for misusing donations collected in Jeter’s name. Funds meant to pay for hospital equipment and family support services were redirected toward personal luxuries and inflated salaries. Jeter refused to stay silent.
Auditors revealed that less than half of the donations ever reached the intended hospitals — a devastating betrayal of trust. Determined to protect the children and families he advocates for, Jeter filed a lawsuit for misappropriation of charitable funds, demanding that every stolen dollar be restored to its rightful purpose.
The New York Yankees organization stood by him from day one — assisting with legal teams, financial records, and public transparency. Their stance was clear: the Yankees protect their legends, especially when they fight for others.
The court’s ruling overwhelmingly favored Jeter. The fraudulent executives were ordered to pay over $2 million in restitution, banned from nonprofit management for at least a decade, and all recovered funds were redirected to pediatric care programs supported by The HEARTest Yard.
Jeter refused any personal compensation, ensuring that every cent returned would directly benefit children and families in need — the same people who shaped his mission and inspired his purpose.
With years of leadership both on the field and in the community, Derek Jeter has proven that his legacy isn’t measured in hits — but in the lives he’s changed.
Tonight, Yankees fans celebrate more than a courtroom victory. They celebrate a protector — one who never stopped fighting for others, whether against pitchers on the field or those who prey on the vulnerable.
Derek Jeter remains the heart of the New York Yankees — forever rooted in service, forever a champion.
Lightning riding new mentality into clash vs. rested Mammoth
The Tampa Bay Lightning look for their fifth straight win when they visit the Utah Mammoth on Sunday afternoon in Salt Lake City.
The Mammoth saw their seven-game winning streak end with a 6-3 loss at the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. They'll look to rebound at home, where they have won all four of their games.
Utah is tied for seventh (2.73) in goals allowed and the Lightning are tied for 10th (2.82) entering play on Saturday.
Tampa Bay continued its recent surge with a 2-1 overtime win against the Dallas Stars on Thursday.
"You look at some of the games we won early in the season, it was only one, but it was just too much risk and we were feeding other teams' rushes and feeding them chances," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "We've changed the way we've played and changed our mentality and the losses have turned into wins."
Anthony Cirelli scored on a breakaway in overtime, Brandon Hagel tallied for the third straight game and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 20 saves.
"It's a crazy game. You can't get too high and you can't get too low," Cirelli said. "We've just got to keep continuing, getting better in practices, getting better when watching our video and just taking it one game at a time."
Hagel has seven points (three goals, four assists) in his past four games.
Vasilevskiy has won three straight starts while allowing a total of four goals.
The Mammoth have been enjoying a four-day break since ending a four-game road trip in Edmonton.
Logan Cooley, JJ Peterka and Barrett Hayton scored for the Mammoth and Karel Vejmelka made 18 saves.
"I thought we did a good job through this last stretch in staying pretty even-keeled," Hayton said.
" ... I think we've got to flush it the next day, understand that this last stretch has been a lot of good and a lot to build on, and we just need to get that mindset back."
Peterka has six points (two goals, four assists) in his past four games.
Nick Schmaltz extended his point streak to eight games (seven goals, eight assists), and Dylan Guenther (assist) increased his streak to six games (three goals, five assists).
"I'm looking forward to seeing next game," Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny said. "How that game will have affected us, but I'm really confident. I'm extremely confident in our group and the maturity in our group. We were not expecting to win the rest of the way. We knew adversity will happen; it's part of the growth. I like the fight in our guys."
Cooley has nine points (six goals, three assists) in his past four games. He will be playing his first game since signing an eight-year, $80 million contract extension on Wednesday.
Vejmelka has allowed 11 goals over his past three starts.
