Entertainment

Snoop Dogg coaches Little League

Snoop Dogg - file

diamond bar, california (ap)

MUSIC ARTISTE SNOOP Dogg's new youth football league is a hot item in Southern California.

Two years ago, Snoop began coaching his son's team in the Orange County Junior All-American Football Conference, luring children from other squads with his star power. Players watched game video inside a school bus equipped with DVD players, TV screens and a booming sound system.

The rapper and sometime actor also made personal phone calls to draw in top talent, and last year his Rowland Raiders went undefeated en route to a league championship.

They also went on to win the "Snooperbowl," held a day before the Super Bowl, and took home custom-made trophies donated by Tiffany & Co. for their effort.

Snoop, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, is taking things to the next level this year, creating his own Southern California league.

He lowered fees for joining a team from US$175 or more to US$100, which covers the cost of cleats and pads. He also loosened residency requirements. A movie documenting the effort, and titled Coach Snoop, is reported to be in the works.

"It's so easy for a kid to join a gang, to do drugs," Snoop said. "We should make it that easy to be involved in football and academics."