How will the Bradford Freeman donation impact Stanford football?

The donation is expected to be a "game-changer" for Stanford football, as it positions the program to "win on the field and build a bridge to a sustainable future" according to general manager Andrew Luck.

Home / Sports / Alumnus Donates $50M to Revive Stanford Football's Fortunes

Alumnus Donates $50M to Revive Stanford Football's Fortunes

Q: What is the $50 million donation to Stanford football for?

The $50 million donation from former player Bradford Freeman will fund 5 new football scholarships and help with name, image and likeness (NIL) payments, supporting Stanford's efforts to recruit top talent and compete at the highest level.

Q: Who is Bradford Freeman and what is his history with Stanford?

Bradford Freeman is a 1964 Stanford graduate who has remained deeply involved with the university over the years. In 1988, he endowed the head football coaching position, and in 2005, he and fellow alumnus Ron Spogli jointly committed $50 million to establish the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.

8 Oct

•

Summary

$50 million gift from former player Bradford Freeman
Funds 5 new football scholarships and NIL payments
Aims to help Stanford football return to winning ways

Alumnus Donates $50M to Revive Stanford Football's Fortunes

On October 8th, 2025, Stanford University announced that it has received a substantial $50 million gift from former player Bradford Freeman, a 1964 graduate who has remained deeply involved with the institution over the years.

The generous donation is set to provide a much-needed boost for Stanford's football program, which has struggled in recent seasons, finishing 3-9 in each of the past four years. The funds will cover five new football scholarships and help with name, image and likeness (NIL) payments, reinforcing Stanford's position as a premier destination for football scholar-athletes.

"With Brad's incredible gift, we are positioned to win on the field and build a bridge to a sustainable future for Stanford football," said general manager Andrew Luck. The university's president, Jonathan Levin, echoed these sentiments, stating that the donation will "help us to recruit top talent and compete at the highest level" while also benefiting the entire athletics department.

Freeman, who co-founded the private equity firm Freeman Spogli & Co. in 1983, has a long history of supporting Stanford. In 1988, he endowed the head football coaching position, and in 2005, he and fellow alumnus Ron Spogli jointly committed $50 million to establish the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.

This latest $50 million gift is expected to be a game-changer for Stanford football as the program seeks to turn its fortunes around under interim coach Frank Reich, who took over this season.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.