The Undefeated is an online editorial platform sponsored by ESPN that is, “the premier platform for exploring the intersections of race, sports, and culture.” Apt2B furnished their celebrity lounge for the 2018 ESPYS Awards, a showcase for sporting achievements. Our President Mat Herman, our graphic designer Manny Garcia, and our very own Alex “Big Al” Bonifer were there for the event. Big Al breaks down all the highlights from the event in this special guest post!

Normally furniture and sports are only linked together by locker rooms, bleachers, and broadcast booths. Thanks to The Undefeated, Apt2B got the opportunity to create a new link between these two seldom-crossed subjects. By furnishing the athlete welcome lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, it allowed a few of Apt2B’s very own ‘players’ a chance to rub elbows with sporting icons both past and present.

man sitting on white couch with a background that says the undefeated

“Are you kidding me?! It’s Kareem Abdul-Jabar!” said our President, Mat Herman.

“The Griffin twins (Shaquem and Shaquill) are over there. I should ask for a picture”, I said, right before I chickened out.

“Man, these chicken skewers are the bomb” Manny, our graphic designer gushed.

two men in sunglasses smiling

Shaquem Griffin (left) and his twin brother Shaquill Griffin – they’ll be playing together on the Seahawks

The fact that we were able to contribute, even in some small way to “The Oscars of Sports” still amazes me. The Undefeated was looking for a stylish and comfortable aesthetic to welcome players, coaches, friends, and family to the celebration – and we were up to the task. Our Nora Sofa was the furniture focal point where the aforementioned stars – along with the likes of Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, NBA phenom Donovan “Spida” Mitchell, and Olympic Gold Medalist Mikaela Shiffrin – posed for photos. Our Cloverdale Chairs provided comfortable seating for FIFA and Fortnite video game battles while our Pierce Coffee Table played host to glasses and bottles of champagne. Our Carson Sofas provided a comfortable and stylish place to chill before the lights and cameras of the red carpet at the Microsoft Theatre stage turned on.

Oh, and there was also a pop-a-shot basketball hoop which was pretty cool ;)

a man shooting a basketball

Jon Stewart shows he’s not a bench warmer

To everyone else in the room, it was just furniture. But to us, it was the backdrop that allowed for this community to come together. It was something that would make The Undefeated proud. And at the end of the day, that’s what we care about – making people happy with the spaces they occupy. We’re in the business of making our customers happy, and I think it’s safe to say we achieved that goal – and then some.

two sofas and a chair

Carson Sofas in PURE WHITEPierce Coffee Table

In total, we only asked TO, Todd Gurley, and the #1 Fortnite player in the world, Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, for photos. We tried to play it cool.

picture of four men

Just me (center), Mat Herman (right), and Superbowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson (left)

Oh, and the beef sliders at the after party were amazing.

Until next year,

Big Al

For more info, see The Undefeated’s coverage of the event!

Looking for even more Apt2B sports fun? Check out our Couch Madness Coverage!

 


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