Joakim Noah's intensity on the court helped propel the team into the playoffs at the end of the regular season. It also won over thousands of Bulls fans, including the kids in Brendan Kolton's basketball camp, 'Hoops for Health.' Kolton says he signed Noah to appear at the camp back in February. He says the Bulls star agreed to show up at the camp for an hour and a half to talk to the kids and provide autographs. But Noah never showed up.
"We did 5,000 flyers and brochures with Joakim Noah on them. He was on the website. So obviously he was supposed to come but it didn't happen," said Kolton.Kolton says he moved on and hired another Bull, Jannero Pargo, to come.
Noah's agent says as soon as the Bulls were eliminated from the playoffs Noah flew to France for an urgent family matter.
Several of the kids ABC7 spoke with say they were disappointed.
"I was looking forward to seeing him," said Mason Brachmann, camper.
"It makes it seem like he's mad that he lost and that's why he won't come," said Tony Harris, camper.
Joakim Noah's representatives tell ABC7 they tried to resolve the issue. In a letter to Kolton's attorney agent Donald Dell wrote, "as I hope you know, we have returned to Mr. Kolton Mr. Noah's fee, suggested another appearance by Noah at next year's camp program at no cost, and offered some Chicago Bulls tickets for his kids in the program. However, none of those efforts to amicably resolve the matter were to Mr. Kolton's liking...But again, I want to restate that Joakim Noah, as the contract states, did not breach the agreement by his failure to attend the scheduled appearance."
Kolton disagrees.
"To let the kids down. That's what stinks about it all," said Kolton.
Noah obviously has nothing against kids' basketball camps. In fact, he's scheduled to appear at his own camp at the Bulls Training Academy next week.
