Andrews Government paying NBA star Ben Simmons to spruik Melbourne and Victoria
More than $50,000 of taxpayer money will be dished out to NBA superstar Ben Simmons for promoting Victoria on social media. It comes after a controversy at Crown, where the basketball star said he was “singled out” by casino bouncers.
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Ben Simmons stepped out at an iconic Melbourne laneway yesterday after it emerged that he was paid by the Andrews Government to spruik his home state of Victoria.
The 23-year-old NBA star spent his Wednesday morning shopping at streetwear oasis Culture Kings in Hosier Lane about midday.
It comes after Australia’s highest-paid athlete on Tuesday slammed claims he was denied entry to Melbourne’s Crown casino on Monday night for breaching the gaming venue’s dress code.
He was accompanied by two other men, including his friend, Alex Subers, who was also involved in Monday night’s casino incident.
Simmons was wearing a black hoodie, a 76ers cap, black trackpants and Nike sneakers.
He refused to answer questions about Monday night’s Crown casino incident or his commercial arrangement with Visit Victoria.
“Do you know where a good breakfast spot is?” he asked the Herald Sun.
“I’m starving, I’m starving. So hungry right now.”
Footage later uploaded to Simmons’ Instagram story showed the trio eating eggs, hash browns and waffles for brunch.
When Simmons was asked if he was looking forward to leaving Melbourne after causing a global media storm with his accusations of racial profiling on Monday night, he said he loved his home city.
“I love Melbourne, it’s where I’m from,” he said.
Simmons left Culture Kings and walked down Collins St about 12.40pm yesterday while the two men accompanying him carried his shopping bags.
The group maintained a low-profile in the busy street and were only noticed by a group of teenage schoolboys.
“Oh my god, that is Ben Simmons from the NBA,” one said, as the fans proceeded to take pictures of Simmons from afar.
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The CBD outing comes after it was revealed that Simmons, who grew up in Box Hill, has been paid by Visit Victoria to promote the state via content on social media.
It is understood his flights and accommodation have not been paid for by the taxpayer.
It is unknown how much money Simmons has been paid.
It comes after Simmons posted to social media this week outside tourist attractions in Victoria.
“It’s good to be home,” Simmons said, in an Instagram picture, crossing the Yarra River towards Flinders St station.
He has uploaded photos at a hipster eatery in Collingwood, visited Healesville sanctuary and attended Seville Estate for a wine tasting.
Minister for Tourism Martin Pakula has been contacted for comment.
Visit Victoria confirmed they had a commercial arrangement with Ben Simmons
“Visit Victoria has a standard commercial arrangement with Ben Simmons to utilise his international profile in promoting Victoria to a global audience,” a statement said.
“The agreement contains standard obligations, and payments are only triggered when certain milestones are met.”
The Herald Sun can reveal taxpayer cash has been poured into other A-lister bank accounts for social media posts in a bid to woo overseas visitors here — including Academy Award-winning actor Natalie Portman.
The state government’s tourism agency, Visit Victoria, has refused to outline how much it spends on such deals, but the Herald Sun has learnt the Simmons’ deal is likely to earn him more than $50,000.
If the Aussie star had remained in the squad for Boomers’ FIBA World Cup appearances in Australia — including against Team USA — he would have been in line for a bigger pay cheque.
Senior government ministers were clueless about the arrangements on Wednesday, and a please explain is likely to be sent to Visit Victoria boss Peter Bingeman.
Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings backed the deal, despite not knowing its cost.
Mr Jennings said he didn’t know exactly what Simmons was being paid for, but he understood he was regarded as an “influencer” on social media.
“It makes sense to me because, in fact, I know how, in terms of a younger market, (people) are attracted by what they see as influencing,” he said. “They actually follow people’s lives and they actually replicate.”
“We are paying a very, very modest part in Ben’s income,” he said.
“Even if I knew the outcome I might not be able to disclose any income that is derived by anybody inside or outside the government, that the government has a commercial relationship with,” he said.
“I have absolutely no doubt that where Ben Simmons goes there are millions of people around the world who know where he goes. Of those millions, if there’s a few hundred thousand that actually want to come to Melbourne because of that, who have never thought of coming here before, that’s a good outcome.”
He said the Crown incident — in which the casino was forced to deny its staff racially profiled Simmons or other visitors — was “counterintuitive” to the government partnership.
Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien said the government had the wrong funding priorities.
“While hospitals in Victoria can’t afford to provide vital health services, Daniel Andrews is spending precious taxpayers’ money paying a multi-millionaire basketballer to post photos to social media,” he said.
On Monday night, Simmons insisted Crown security guards were guilty of racial discrimination by refusing he and his friends entry to the gaming floor.
On Tuesday night, he escalated his war of words with Crown casino, saying: “My friends and I felt personally singled out, no one likes to feel like this.
“I am very passionate about equality and I will always speak up, even if it means having uncomfortable conversations.”
In a now-deleted video that Simmons posted on Instagram, the Philadelphia 76er suggested he and his black friends were turned away because of their skin colour, while one friend, Alex Subers, wasn’t checked, also because of his skin colour.
In a statement, Crown casino said it “strenuously rejects” reports that it discriminated against a group of visitors on Monday night.
“Crown’s internal security policy requires our security officers to check identification of those persons they believe to be under the age of 25,” the statement said.
“This is an enhanced safeguard to ensure that no one under the age of 18 is permitted entry to the casino floor as required by law.
“The group subsequently provided identification and were permitted entry. Crown is an inclusive workplace.”
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Simmons on Wednesday told the Herald Sun he was thrilled to be home in Melbourne despite the controversy.
“I love being here, I love being here,’’ he said. “It’s always good to be back.
“It’s the longest I’ve been back in definitely a few years and I love being back to see my family and friends. And just being in Melbourne.’’
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