Tim Tebow Pauses Relationship with Life Surge Amid Predatory Sales Investigation

Tim Tebow, the two-time national champion and Heisman Trophy winner who led Florida to the 2008 title, has paused his relationship with Life Surge, a Christian organization under investigation for allegedly using predatory sales tactics to exploit its followers’ faith and financial insecurity. The decision comes as an internal review is underway, according to Tebow’s team, who shared the news with him during an anti-human trafficking conference.

Tebow’s team informed him of the investigation on Thursday, catching him off guard. “I think the allegations are extremely serious and it’s something that we take very seriously,” Tebow said. “For us, we are having our team do an investigation but also pausing our relationship until we can learn more about the facts to be able to understand more.”

The statement follows an investigation by podcast host Pablo Torre, in collaboration with Mother Jones reporter Kiera Butler, examining Tebow’s ties to Life Surge. Life Surge, which hosts around 30 live events across the nation annually, often brings in Christian celebrities like Tebow to headline events. While the cheapest ticket to a Life Surge live event costs around $20, Torre notes that the low entry cost is merely the beginning of a costly journey.

At Life Surge one-day events, attendees are encouraged to sign up for impact classes, a three-day-long seminar priced at $97. During the episode, Butler detailed her experience attending a Life Surge event in Atlanta this May, where the impact classes were presented as a special deal available only to attendees, with a push to act quickly and sign up at the venue due to limited spots.

In addition to guidance on stock and option trading, participants receive a sales pitch for “SurgeU,” the next step in their journey toward achieving the organization’s mission of “Kingdom Impact.” This program comes at a much steeper cost, with packages ranging from $10,000 to $40,000. If members cannot afford the exorbitant price tag, Life Surge connects them to a third-party lender, where they are encouraged to apply for credit cards or, in some cases, take out lines of credit on their homes or 401(k) accounts.

As a prominent Christian speaker, Tebow is a significant draw for filling venues. Throughout his football career, he consistently displayed his faith, often kneeling after games and raising his fist to his chest. His public commitment to Christian values has made him a valuable asset to organizations like Life Surge, which rely on his influence to attract attendees. The ongoing investigation into Life Surge’s practices raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of public figures who partner with such organizations.

Source: Read the original report