Interview: John Salley, Wine Enthusiast

As John Salley pulled away from what seemed like his seven hundredth photo with fans, he strode with impossibly long, languid strides toward the door and hollered to no one in particular, “Remember to use #SelfieWithSalley!’”

I had agreed to meet the former NBA star, in town at the Philadelphia Wine Festival to promote his association with The Vegan Vine wine collection, at the winery’s table at 8:15. Nearly 45 minutes later, he finally declared a cease to the selfies. Mind you, these were no ordinary selfies. Salley, who stood taller than anyone (and anything) in the dark and humid Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, took admirers’ smartphones in hand and extended them to a height of at least 7’5” where he captured dozens of downward-angled shots of his own grinning mug above clutches of pretty women, couples and sports-loving bro-dudes. “I love it,” he admitted freely but fessed that he was done for the day.

Salley had done time at the state’s wine shows in Pittsburgh and Hershey as well and, with the finish line in sight at the museum, he agreed to find a less hectic area of the building to shoot a video with me. During our short interview, he talked about his fondness for the PLCB, wines (and beer) he drinks at home and NBA flashbacks.

Now, my #SelfieWithSalley:

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