Fight Against Cancer Twists On Web Site
A Largo businessman is seeking payment for the rights to a domain name the family of Palm Harbor Florida golf prodigy Dakoda Dowd had hoped to use for breast cancer research.
Shawn Jackman acquired the rights to DakodaDowd.com several weeks ago and was asking for $5,000 to relinquish it, according to Mike Dowd, Dakoda's father, and Ryan Julison, an executive with the Ginn Co. in Orlando that has granted the 12-year-old a sponsor exemption to an LPGA Tour event on a Florida golf course in April.
Jackman did not return several phone calls and an e-mail requesting comment over the weekend.
Dakoda's mother, Kelly Jo, is battling breast cancer. When real estate developer Bobby Ginn heard about it, he wanted to help by inviting Dakoda to play in the inaugural Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open at Reunion Golf Club near Orlando. She was offered one of two sponsor exemptions, along with Michelle Wie. The tournament hopes Kelly Jo can realize her dream of watching Dakoda play with professionals.
Recently, the Ginn Co. sought to set up a Web site for Dakoda so people could donate to cancer research, while also sending cards and well wishes to the family.
Problem was, DakodaDowd.com had been registered by Jackman, who on Thursday, according to Julison, asked for $5,000 to return the domain name.
This came on the same day that, according to Mike Dowd, Jackman had agreed to return the domain name for free. Such domain names can typically be purchased for less than $50.
"I just think it's sad," said Julison, senior vice president of corporate communications for the Ginn Co. "From our perspective, all we want to do is help further the cause that Mike and Kelly Jo and Dakoda are putting forth: hopefully raise some money, give people an opportunity to send good wishes and letters. There are lots of (Web) addresses out there. That's not an issue. The thing is it's a little girl's name. She is living through a tragedy."
Julison said the company initially offered $1,000 for the name. Jackman, Julison said, declined, saying in an e-mail he did not like the fact the bid was made anonymously. He did offer to "set up a meeting to discuss the grayareas," according to the e-mail he sent Julison.
Jackman told Julison he secured the name to aid the family. He wanted to help them design a Web site. But while he has had the rights to the site for several weeks, Jackman never contacted the Dowds until Mike Dowd tried last week to reach him.
"When he made contact with me, I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt," Dowd said. "I took him at his word. He said he would release the site back to me at no cost. Then I heard later he wanted $5,000 for the site. So he is nothing but an opportunist."
According to public records, Jackman owns a Florida golf course website in Indian Rocks Beach.
It is common for people to take what they believe could be a popular domain name and later sell it.
"When I tried to secure the site, I realized it was taken," Julison said. "We put $1,000 in. But he wouldn't sell it for that price. He initially said it would be a gift for Dakoda. But he never did it, and (that's) when the craziness started "
Mike Dowd said he was initially resistant to the idea of a Web site for his daughter. But he came around to the idea when he realized it could help breast cancer research and prolong the legacy of his wife.
"I wanted this to be a part of my daughter's healing process," he said. "I just want him to do the right thing. It's my daughter's name and she should have access to that. I think it's rude and wrong what he is doing."
Shawn Jackman acquired the rights to DakodaDowd.com several weeks ago and was asking for $5,000 to relinquish it, according to Mike Dowd, Dakoda's father, and Ryan Julison, an executive with the Ginn Co. in Orlando that has granted the 12-year-old a sponsor exemption to an LPGA Tour event on a Florida golf course in April.
Jackman did not return several phone calls and an e-mail requesting comment over the weekend.
Dakoda's mother, Kelly Jo, is battling breast cancer. When real estate developer Bobby Ginn heard about it, he wanted to help by inviting Dakoda to play in the inaugural Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open at Reunion Golf Club near Orlando. She was offered one of two sponsor exemptions, along with Michelle Wie. The tournament hopes Kelly Jo can realize her dream of watching Dakoda play with professionals.
Recently, the Ginn Co. sought to set up a Web site for Dakoda so people could donate to cancer research, while also sending cards and well wishes to the family.
Problem was, DakodaDowd.com had been registered by Jackman, who on Thursday, according to Julison, asked for $5,000 to return the domain name.
This came on the same day that, according to Mike Dowd, Jackman had agreed to return the domain name for free. Such domain names can typically be purchased for less than $50.
"I just think it's sad," said Julison, senior vice president of corporate communications for the Ginn Co. "From our perspective, all we want to do is help further the cause that Mike and Kelly Jo and Dakoda are putting forth: hopefully raise some money, give people an opportunity to send good wishes and letters. There are lots of (Web) addresses out there. That's not an issue. The thing is it's a little girl's name. She is living through a tragedy."
Julison said the company initially offered $1,000 for the name. Jackman, Julison said, declined, saying in an e-mail he did not like the fact the bid was made anonymously. He did offer to "set up a meeting to discuss the grayareas," according to the e-mail he sent Julison.
Jackman told Julison he secured the name to aid the family. He wanted to help them design a Web site. But while he has had the rights to the site for several weeks, Jackman never contacted the Dowds until Mike Dowd tried last week to reach him.
"When he made contact with me, I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt," Dowd said. "I took him at his word. He said he would release the site back to me at no cost. Then I heard later he wanted $5,000 for the site. So he is nothing but an opportunist."
According to public records, Jackman owns a Florida golf course website in Indian Rocks Beach.
It is common for people to take what they believe could be a popular domain name and later sell it.
"When I tried to secure the site, I realized it was taken," Julison said. "We put $1,000 in. But he wouldn't sell it for that price. He initially said it would be a gift for Dakoda. But he never did it, and (that's) when the craziness started "
Mike Dowd said he was initially resistant to the idea of a Web site for his daughter. But he came around to the idea when he realized it could help breast cancer research and prolong the legacy of his wife.
"I wanted this to be a part of my daughter's healing process," he said. "I just want him to do the right thing. It's my daughter's name and she should have access to that. I think it's rude and wrong what he is doing."
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