Celtics HC Joe Mazzulla has cut ties with Life Surge following Pablo Torre report

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Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla told the Globe on Saturday that he has cut ties with Life Surge, the Christian organization that has come under scrutiny for alleged predatory financial practices at its faith-based conferences.

Mazzulla spoke at a Life Surge event in Portland, Maine, last September and was scheduled for another Oct. 17 in Hartford. He said he informed the organization that he will no longer attend, and he requested that his image be removed from the organization’s website, too.

“I’m always looking for partnerships to be able to share my faith,” Mazzulla said by phone. “It was a platform I thought made some sense for us, and when this comes out, you take your stand and move forward.”

Investigative reporter Pablo Torre, on an episode of his “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast released Thursday, reported on football star Tim Tebow’s deep connections to Life Surge, which holds financial literacy events across the country featuring celebrity speakers and entertainers. It allegedly preys on attendees by pressuring them to pay as much as $50,000 for financial mentorship and coaching.
The podcast also reported that the organization provides third-party brokers to assist attendees with applying for credit cards to pay these fees. Life Surge has denied the accusations.

The star-studded list of past speakers includes actor Kelsey Grammer, Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, and Red Sox legend David Ortiz.

Mazzulla, whose strong Christian faith is well known, said Life Surge initially contacted his representatives at Creative Artists Agency about him joining its roster of speakers.

He was scheduled to help headline its Hartford gathering at PeoplesBank Arena, which is described on the organization’s website as “a one-day life-changing event where thousands of local Christians gather to learn why and how to create and multiply financial resources for Kingdom impact.”

Said Mazzulla: “Once these [allegations] came out, I just completely backed out of it. I’m not showing up there and obviously don’t support any of the allegations or things that they’re accused of, and [I’m] moving forward.”

Mazzulla said he is focused on the attendees who may have been coerced by Life Surge and hopes they will have the resources and guidance needed to regroup. He also will not let this incident affect his mission to do good through his religion.

“It’s an unfortunate situation, but my purpose is to use my platform for a positive impact on faith,” Mazzulla said. “The risk you take is situations like this happen. The most important thing is to No. 1, focus on the people who were wronged and No. 2, do the best job you can authentically and morally and ethically to share your faith without negatively impacting people.”

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