On Saturday, April 26, the fields of a sprawling indoor soccer facility in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood buzzed with energy as more than 1,400 grade school students from 60 Chicago Public Schools came together for a day of competition, learning, and laughter. The occasion? A high-spirited tournament organized by the Chicago Fire FC’s P.L.A.Y.S. Program—Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer.

P.L.A.Y.S., a flagship initiative of the Chicago Fire Foundation, uses soccer as a powerful tool to improve academic performance and build critical social-emotional skills in 3rd through 5th grade students. Saturday’s event was a vivid example of that mission in action—young athletes playing hard, encouraging one another, and practicing teamwork and respect with every match.

Magellan is proud to support Chicago Fire FC and the work of its Foundation, which brings programs like P.L.A.Y.S. to life. As a sleeve patch sponsor of the Fire and a committed partner in their community outreach, we are honored to play a part—however small—in moments like these, when the power of sport helps shape the future of our city’s youth.

Thank you to Jessica Yavitz, Christian Smith, and the incredible team at the Chicago Fire Foundation for creating such a joyful, inspiring experience. These kids were having the time of their lives—and it showed in every smile.

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Unique opportunities demand thoughtful choices, so it was with great joy that Magellan was able to gift a Chicago Bulls practice watch and lunch to our good friends at Misericordia Heart of Mercy.

And what a FUN day it was! Twenty adult residents of this spectacular Chicago nonprofit took the day off of their vocational programming to come and watch a practice at the Advocate Center, just across the street from the United Center.

Misericordia provides residential, vocational, recreational, athletic, and other life-enriching services to more than 600 persons with intellectual disabilities on their Chicago campus, and throughout the community.

Residents were able to rub elbows with one of the nicest guys ever, former Bull Joakim Noah, who chatted, lunched, and took countless pics with his new VERY excited fans. Player Development guru Martin Rancik stepped in to explain a little of what the practice would entail, the goals of the team, and give insights into the intense regiment of these athletes.

After lunch, guests adjourned to a balcony overlooking the courts with an up close and personal view of our favorite hoopers getting ready for their next game.

Sincere thanks to the staff of Misericordia, and all of those at the Bulls who made this an extremely memorable experience for all.

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For the second year in a row, Magellan and the Chicago Sky have named Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago as their Marquis Charity—a partnership that brings well-earned visibility and memorable experiences to this outstanding nonprofit. As part of the collaboration, the Sky hosted a high-energy basketball clinic on Friday, February 28, 2025, at BGCC’s James R. Jordan Club, where about 60 kids got the chance to train and connect with Sky guard Rachel Banham and assistant coach Awvee Storey.

Banham and Storey worked directly with the kids, guiding them through basketball drills, skill-building exercises, and team challenges. Banham, a standout guard with a rich history in women’s basketball, emphasized leadership, precision, and confidence on the court while helping the kids improve their shooting form and decision-making skills. Awvee Storey, the Sky’s assistant coach and former NBA player, brought his wealth of experience from both his playing days and coaching career. A ten-year veteran of the NBA and WNBA, Storey's hands-on coaching style and deep understanding of the game created an inspiring atmosphere where every player felt supported and motivated.

The BGCC has long been a beacon of support for youth in Chicago, offering safe spaces, strong mentors, and enriching programs to thousands of children and teens each year. Magellan’s partnership with the Sky ensures that the Club—and the young people it serves—stay at the center of experiences that uplift, inspire, and empower. Magellan is proud to stand alongside the Chicago Sky and BGCC in making moments like this happen.

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BIG FUN TODAY!! Magellan Corporation was proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Chicago Fire FC’s 2025 Season Kickoff Luncheon, held on Tuesday, February 18, at the Swissôtel Chicago. This annual event brings together fans, players, and coaches to celebrate the start of a new season—all while raising funds for an incredible community initiative.

This year’s luncheon was a record-breaker, with over 700 attendees and an incredible $280,000 raised in support of the Fire’s P.L.A.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) Program. This initiative goes beyond the game, using soccer to help underserved youth in Chicago develop key life skills and boost academic achievement. Seeing the community rally behind this program was inspiring, and we were thrilled to play a part in its success. Huge shout out to our friend Jessica Yavitz, who heads the Fire Foundation, for the overwhelming success of the day!

Magellan hosted two tables of clients and friends at the event, with some extra-special guests joining us—midfielder Kellyn Acosta and goalkeeping coach Zach Thornton. Their insights into the season ahead and stories from the pitch made for a lively and memorable afternoon.

As a proud partner of Chicago Fire FC, our Magellan logo will be prominently featured on the team’s sleeves this season, a symbol of our ongoing commitment to both the club and the community. With the Fire kicking off their season on February 22 against Columbus Crew, we can’t wait to see them in action and cheer them on to victory.

Here’s to an exciting season ahead—let’s go, Fire! 🔥⚽

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On Thursday, January 16, 2025, Magellan Corporation had the distinct pleasure of hosting Tyler Marsh, the newly appointed head coach of the Chicago Sky. Accompanying him were our dear friends, the team CEO Adam Fox, General Manager Jeff Pagliocca, and VP of Sponsorships Alex Teodosi.

Coach Marsh engaged warmly with our staff, posing for photos and inquiring about Magellan's operations. The tour showcased our office's support for the Chicago Sky, with jerseys and memorabilia adorning the walls—a testament to our commitment to this decade-long partnership.

Coach Marsh brings a wealth of experience to the Sky. In the NBA, Marsh served as a player development coach for the Toronto Raptors, playing a part in their 2019 NBA Championship. He also held positions with the Indiana Pacers before joining the Las Vegas Aces as an assistant coach in 2022, where he contributed to two WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023. His extensive background positions him to make a significant impact on the Sky's performance in the upcoming season.

The WNBA experienced a historic surge in popularity last year, with record-breaking attendance and viewership. The league posted its highest attendance in 22 years, with a total of 2.3 million fans attending games in 2024, marking a 48% increase from the previous season. Magellan is proud to have been a sponsor for over a decade, supporting women's basketball long before its recent surge in mainstream recognition, a testament to supporting women-forward initiatives, including athletics.

Magellan looks forward to the 2025 season -- we'll be cheering loudest.

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Magellan Corporation had the pleasure of welcoming former Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng to our Chicago office this week. Deng, known not only for his standout NBA career but also for his significant charitable efforts, brought an air of excitement and inspiration to the team, with staff eager to mug for the camera with the 6' 9" baller.

Deng is a genuinely nice guy, and spent time meeting our people, signing autographs, and taking pics, leaving everyone impressed by his warmth and ability to connect. He even learned a little bit about how Magellan works, where our steel comes from, how it is used eventually, and the many faceted process of getting it from mill to customer.

Recently, Deng returned from South Sudan, where he has been deeply involved in mission-driven work aimed at supporting the country’s development. As president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, Deng has been instrumental in building opportunities for young athletes and developing sports infrastructure. His efforts helped South Sudan’s national basketball team make their Olympic debut in 2024, a milestone he personally supported by covering many of the associated expenses.

While his visit to Magellan didn’t include formal presentations or discussions about his work, it was clear that Deng’s dedication to making a difference extends far beyond the basketball court. His ability to balance his commitments and still take time to connect with communities everywhere is truly admirable.

We are grateful to Luol Deng for spending time with us and for the inspiring example he sets through his actions both on and off the court.

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