Who is Bradford Freeman and why is ex-football star donating a whopping $50 million to Stanford? Details out | Hindustan Times

Who is Bradford Freeman and why is ex-football star donating a whopping $50 million to Stanford? Details out

Published on: Oct 08, 2025 09:17 PM IST

Bradford Freeman, a former Stanford football player and longtime donor, has given $50M to support scholarships, coaching, and NIL efforts in Stanford Athletics.

Bradford Freeman, a former football player, is in the news for his generous contribution to Stanford University’s football program. The university’s president, Jonathan Levin, has thanked the former Stanford player for his “game-changing gift”, reports an official release from the institution. Freeman has donated $50 million to the program, marking it as one of the largest contributions in the history of Stanford Athletics.

Who is Bradford Freeman? From Stanford football star to $50m donor and longtime university supporter; all you need to know.(X/Stanford)
Who is Bradford Freeman? From Stanford football star to $50m donor and longtime university supporter; all you need to know.(X/Stanford)

According to the university, the money will be used to enhance football in the university amid a changing landscape. It will also help to fund scholarships to students while also supporting their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) initiatives.

Also read: Battlefield 6 global release times: When and where to play in your region?

Who is Bradford Freeman?

The generous and historic contribution has made Freeman a popular name in the sports world. In their official release, Stanford University shared a brief profile of Freeman, recalling his football career at the premises.

Freeman has played football since his high school in Fargo, North Dakota. Owing to his game and popularity, Freeman earned a football scholarship to study at Stanford. He not only entered the university for his skills, but also ended up being a star player on the campus.

Throughout his life, he has always remained a ‘loyal Stanford football fan’, suggests the release. He endowed the nation’s first head coaching position in 1988. The Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football is currently held by Frank Reich. He has also supported and inspired the endowment of other coaching positions. His contributions have been significant for Stanford across 36 varsity sports.

Also read: Man vs Baby: Rowan Atkinson returns to Netflix with new comedy this December

Bradford Freeman’s career trajectory

He graduated from Stanford in 1964 with a degree in economics. Next, he joined Harvard to complete his MBA. Soon after, he started his career in investment banking. His professional journey earned a new milestone in 1983, when Freeman co-founded Freeman Spogli & Co., a private equity investment firm.

Freeman has also given volunteer service at Stanford for nearly six decades. He has been a member of multiple university advisory boards. He has also been a part of the Stanford University Board of Trustees.

In 2005, he endowed the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. His philanthropic activities are well known in Stanford.

FAQs:

1. Who is Bradford Freeman?

Bradford Freeman is a former Stanford football player and major donor to the university.

2. How much did Bradford Freeman donate to Stanford football?

He donated $50 million, one of the largest gifts in Stanford Athletics history.

3. What will Bradford Freeman’s donation be used for?

It will support scholarships, coaching, and NIL initiatives for Stanford football.

Catch all the latest Sports News, scores, and highlights in one place. Stay updated with real-time coverage of your favorite games and athletes along with Lionel Messi latest updates.
Catch all the latest Sports News, scores, and highlights in one place. Stay updated with real-time coverage of your favorite games and athletes along with Lionel Messi latest updates.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
close
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
Get App
crown-icon
Subscribe Now!
.affilate-product { padding: 12px 10px; border-radius: 4px; box-shadow: 0 0 6px 0 rgba(64, 64, 64, 0.16); background-color: #fff; margin: 0px 0px 20px; } .affilate-product #affilate-img { width: 110px; height: 110px; position: relative; margin: 0 auto 10px auto; box-shadow: 0px 0px 0.2px 0.5px #00000017; border-radius: 6px; } #affilate-img img { max-width: 100%; max-height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 50%; left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, -50%); } .affilate-heading { font-size: 16px; color: #000; font-family: "Lato",sans-serif; font-weight:700; margin-bottom: 15px; } .affilate-price { font-size: 24px; color: #424242; font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif; font-weight:900; } .affilate-price del { color: #757575; font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif; font-weight:400; margin-left: 10px; text-decoration: line-through; } .affilate-rating .discountBadge { font-size: 12px; border-radius: 4px; font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif; font-weight:400; color: #ffffff; background: #fcb72b; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px 4px; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; min-width: 63px; height: 24px; text-align: center; margin-left: 10px; } .affilate-rating .discountBadge span { font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif; font-weight:900; margin-left: 5px; } .affilate-discount { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: end; margin-top: 10px } .affilate-rating { font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif; font-weight:400; color: black; display: flex; align-items: center; } #affilate-rating-box { width: 48px; height: 24px; color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: center; border-radius: 2px; background-color: #508c46; white-space: nowrap; display: inline-flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; gap: 4px; margin-right: 5px; } #affilate-rating-box img { height: 12.5px; width: auto; } #affilate-button{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; position: relative; } #affilate-button img { width: 58px; position: absolute; bottom: 42px; right: 0; } #affilate-button button { width: 101px; height: 32px; font-size: 14px; cursor: pointer; text-transform: uppercase; background: #00b1cd; text-align: center; color: #fff; border-radius: 4px; font-family: 'Lato',sans-serif; font-weight:900; padding: 0px 16px; display: inline-block; border: 0; } @media screen and (min-width:1200px) { .affilate-product #affilate-img { margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; } .affilate-product { display: flex; position: relative; } .affilate-info { width: calc(100% - 130px); min-width: calc(100% - 130px); display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: space-between; } .affilate-heading { margin-bottom: 8px; } .affilate-rating .discountBadge { position: absolute; left: 10px; top: 12px; margin: 0; } #affilate-button{ flex-direction: row; gap:20px; align-items: center; } #affilate-button img { width: 75px; position: relative; top: 4px; } }