Tom Brady donated his $170,000 Salem State speaking fee to Best Buddies and other charities(Image via Getty Images)
Tom Brady earned $170,000 for a one-hour speaking appearance at Salem State University in May 2015. But the former New England Patriots quarterback reportedly gave away the entire fee, sending $50,000 to Best Buddies and the rest to other charities. Best Buddies received $50,000, while other charities shared the remaining $120,000, according to the report. The foundation made a profit of about $40,000 from the event, according to the university. Around 4,000 people attended the appearance. Tickets ranged from $20 to $100, with students paying $15, according to an Associated Press report published by CBS Boston on June 17, 2015. Speaking with television reporter Jim Gray at Salem State on May 7, he addressed the NFL investigation but declined to offer a detailed response to its findings.
Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies’ founder and chairman, confirmed the contribution in a statement to The Boston Globe.
“We are grateful for Tom’s generous support over the years,” Shriver said. Salem State said ticket sales and corporate sponsorships covered Brady’s fee. The donation came during a difficult stretch in his NFL career, with the Deflategate controversy dominating headlines and a four-game suspension hanging over him. The organization did not identify the other recipients in its announcement. The payment also raised questions about the cost of bringing a celebrity speaker to a public university. Brady also faced questions about Deflategate during the event. His donation came as the NFL prepared to enforce a four-game suspension over the controversy. Brady appealed the punishment, setting up a dispute with commissioner Roger Goodell.