Champions Unite “Season Three” Pro Athlete Talent Competition Returns with All New Players and Acts

Notable west coast athletes including Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Lakers star Austin Reaves and many more join last year’s returning champion Mookie Betts (this year with Freddie Freeman) to compete in Champions Unite – Season Three, a truly one-of-a-kind broadcast event on September 21.

The televised and streamed competition also features appearances by actor, philanthropist and Lung Association National Ambassador, Shantel VanSanten along with former major leaguer, Tony Gwynn Jr. This year’s American Lung Association Trusted Champion honoree is Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and the Tribal Alliance for Sovereign Indian Nations for her decades-long work to ensure the health of Native Americans at home and throughout the nation.

Viewers will choose this year’s winner by voting for their favorite players and performances for free via text message. All proceeds from this very special event benefit the American Lung Association and its mission to save lives by preventing lung disease and promoting lung health.

This broadcast and livestream event will be hosted by Chris McGee with Los Angeles Lakers legend Robert Horry and Los Angeles Dodgers great Eric Karros co-hosting, and special commentary provided by Allie Clifton. Champions Unite will air regionally on Spectrum SportsNet (check local listings for channel in your area) on September 21, 2023, at 8pm PST. For those who cannot watch on television, the event will be live-streamed on Lung.org/champions-unite. Streaming viewers are encouraged to register for free at Champions-Unite.org in advance to not miss any of the action. 

“The Lung Association is thrilled to present ‘Season Three’ of Champions Unite which has been a major hit with viewers and donors for the past two years,” said Allison Hickey, Western Division Vice President of the American Lung Association. “Nobody appreciates the importance of breathing clean air through healthy lungs more than professional athletes, and we’re proud to host an incredible roster of athletes back for this year’s hilarious, exhilarating and potentially lifesaving televised event.” 

Previous winners include Jose Iglesias of the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, and Dodgers’ outfielder Mookie Betts earned the fan vote in 2022.

Sponsors of Champions Unite “Season Three” include City of Hope, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Sharp Healthcare, Bristol Myers Squibb and Clean Transportation Partners SDG&E, Southern California Edison and others.