Saints Star Alvin Kamara Triumphs in Fraud Lawsuit After Charity Funds Misused — New Orleans Stands with Its Running Back Icon
New Orleans, LA — From his first snap with the Saints in 2017 to the present, Alvin Kamara has redefined what a running back can be: 70 touchdowns, 7,000 rushing yards, and 300 receptions. Known for his versatility, explosive plays, and leadership, Kamara has become one of the most dynamic players in the NFL. A five-time Pro Bowl selection and a key figure in New Orleans’ offense, he’s more than just a player — he’s the face of the Saints' future.
Off the field, Kamara & The Alvin Kamara Foundation (established 2018) raised more than $4 million between 2023–2025 to support children’s health, education, and underprivileged communities. He hosted a free summer camp for 400 New Orleans kids in 2024 — a video of him working with young athletes received 25,000 likes on X under #KamaraGivesBack.
But a partner charity was caught diverting funds from scholarships and healthcare programs that boys and girls desperately needed. The misuse threatened not only money but the trust his name carried. Kamara refused to let it slide.
Auditors found less than 40 percent of donations reached beneficiaries — far from the promised 80 percent. More than $500,000 was tied up in executive perks, improper expenses, and hidden costs. Betrayal of that scale demanded a fight.
The New Orleans Saints backed Kamara from day one: legal teams assembled, records reviewed, transparency demanded. The message from the franchise was clear: You don’t disrespect a legacy we’re building together — we stand by our star.
The court ruled decisively in Kamara’s favor. The charity must repay over $1.7 million, its leadership banned from nonprofit roles for ten years, and remaining funds redirected to New Orleans children and scholarship programs.
Kamara declined personal compensation. Every cent recovered will benefit children’s hospitals, educational grants, and youth programs — the same causes his game-winning runs and electrifying catches once protected.
With a career of incredible plays and game-changing moments, Kamara’s greatest legacy might now be the lives he saves off the field. His message echoed across Saints Nation:
“If someone steals hope from our kids, they answer to me — and they answer to this city.”
Tonight, New Orleans doesn’t just celebrate a legal win. It honors a protector who still fights long after the whistle blows. Alvin Kamara remains the running back icon for this city, this community, and the children who believe in heroes.
The Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster
The Tampa Bay Lightning (5-4-2) are getting back in their groove, winning four straight games after their 2-1 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. While the Lightning look to rise to the top of the Atlantic Division their American Hockey League (AHL, Syracuse Crunch) and ECHL teams (Orlando Solar Bears) are heading in opposite directions. The Crunch are cruising, with a 6-1-0-0 record, which leads the North Division, while the Solar Bears own a dreadful 1-4-0-0 record, allowing twice as many goals (20) as they’ve scored.
Even still, there are standouts littered in the minors for Tampa Bay, and in some instances, the Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster.
AHL: Jakob Pelletier, F
The Lightning signed Pelletier to a three-year contract last offseason in the hopes he’d reach his massive upside. At 24 years old, the 2019 first-round pick scored four goals and seven assists with a plus-10 rating in 24 games for the Calgary Flames last season. That’s an average of about 14-24-38 over a full season, and he was usually playing bottom-six minutes.
Unfortunately, the Flames traded the winger to Philadelphia for Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost in late January. Pelletier couldn’t get back his offensive spark in Philadelphia. With the Flyers, he scored just three goals, five assists, and eight points in 25 games, sometimes being healthy scratched. When he was due $840,000 on a qualifying offer on a two-way deal, the Flyers non-tendered him, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Pelletier hasn’t made his debut with the Lightning, but with the Crunch, he’s thriving. Through seven games, Pelletier has notched four goals and five assists, with a plus-1 rating. He currently leads the Crunch in points and goals. In a 5-2 win against the Hershey Bears, Pelletier had two goals and an assist.
If Pelletier keeps this pace up, the Lightning could recall him, and he could be an injection of youth Tampa Bay desperately needs right now.
AHL: Dylan Duke, F
Dylan Duke is another young talent the Lightning hope can evolve into an NHL-caliber forward. He was drafted 121st overall by Tampa Bay after a stellar career with the Michigan Wolverines. In 2023-24, Duke was on a team with NHL draftees Gavin Brindley, Rutger McGroarty, and Seamus Casey. However, Duke led the team in goals (26) and finished third in points (49). Overall, he finished with 54 goals and 46 assists in 123 games.
Duke has just one goal in the NHL level so far, but he is turning a new leaf with the Crunch this season. He’s scored one goal and added six assists for seven points through seven games. He is currently in the top 20 in assists in the AHL level.
It appears Duke could be taking a big jump from his rookie season, when he scored 20 goals, 20 assists, and 40 points through 62 games. Like Pelletier, Duke is another young forward the Lightning are looking to develop into an NHL-caliber player. Unlike Pelletier, Duke is just 22, and he has time to grow and become another late-round NHL contributor for the Lightning.
ECHL: Spencer Kersten, F
It’s hard to find a standout for the Solar Bears this season, but there’s one player who’s been tried and true for them. Spencer Kersten continues to shine for Orlando.
Kersten spent four years with Princeton University and one year at Bowling-Green University before signing with the Solar Bears in 2024. In his rookie season, Kersten shined, recording 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points through 60 games. That earned him a spot on the 2024-25 ECHL All-Rookie team.
This year, Kersten has increased his scoring output, with three goals and three assists for six points through five games. He is on pace to record 86 points this season.
That could earn Kersten a recall to the AHL. His strong play with Orlando earned him brief stints with the Crunch and the Belleville Senators on loan. He scored one goal in nine games with the Crunch, but he could be in line for more opportunities in the AHL if he keeps up this pace.
