Stanford Football Receives Historic $50 Million Donation

Palo Alto, California — The Stanford football program has received a historic $50 million donation from former player Bradford M. Freeman, the school announced Wednesday. This significant contribution aims to help revitalize the program under general manager Andrew Luck.

Freeman’s donation is the largest individual gift in Stanford football history, a rarity for college athletics where such gifts are usually earmarked for facilities. A 1964 graduate, Freeman has been a prominent donor for the university for many years.

Stanford football has struggled recently, finishing with a record of 3-9 in each of the last four seasons. This year, the team is 2-3 under interim coach Frank Reich. Luck expressed optimism in a statement, saying, “With Brad’s incredible gift, we are positioned to win on the field and build a bridge to a sustainable future for Stanford football.”

The donation will enhance scholarships and institutional NIL (name, image, likeness) opportunities, helping to solidify Stanford’s reputation as a leading destination for scholar-athletes. This boost comes as the university searches for a permanent head coach after stating that Reich will not continue after this interim season.

Freeman’s gift also serves as a marketing advantage for the coaching position, showcasing the newly available resources. To honor Freeman, Stanford plans to name a tunnel and gate at Stanford Stadium after him. In 1988, he established the first head coach position in college football, known as the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football.

Freeman, a former university trustee and co-founder of a private equity firm, said his experiences at Stanford greatly impacted his life. He hopes this donation will signal “a new era of excellence for Stanford football.” Luck reinforced this vision, stating, “I believe that Stanford has the opportunity to be a leading program in college football, and we are entirely motivated to field championship-caliber teams.”