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. 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 event attracted around 4,000 people, but Brady’s decision to donate the money gave the appearance another dimension. Here is how the payment, the charity contribution and his existing relationship with Best Buddies came together.
Tom Brady gave away his $170,000 Salem State speaking fee
Salem State University confirmed on June 16, 2015, that its nonprofit foundation had paid Brady $170,000 for his appearance at the school’s annual speaker series on May 7. Also, Boston Globe reported that Brady had donated the fee to charity, citing information from Best Buddies.According to the report, Best Buddies received $50,000, while other charities shared the remaining $120,000. The organization did not identify the other recipients in its announcement.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.The payment also raised questions about the cost of bringing a celebrity speaker to a public university. Salem State said ticket sales and corporate sponsorships covered Brady’s fee. 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.Brady also faced questions about Deflategate during the event. 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.“I don’t really have any reaction [to the Wells Report]. It has only been 30 hours. I’ve not had much time to digest it,” Brady said during the Salem State appearance.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.
Best Buddies already had a strong relationship with Tom Brady
The $50,000 contribution continued Brady’s support for Best Buddies, a nonprofit that promotes friendships and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Brady had helped the organization raise money through an annual charity football game at Harvard Stadium. The event brought together celebrities and children to support its work.The 2015 game took place at the end of May, just weeks after his Salem State appearance. Some fans wore “Free Brady” shirts at the fundraiser while the quarterback challenged his suspension.That existing relationship helps explain why Best Buddies featured prominently in the donation announcement. However, the organization’s statement did not say how Brady divided the remaining $120,000 among other charities.The Salem State appearance also had a financial benefit for the university. The foundation used ticket sales and corporate sponsorships to cover the speaking fee and other event expenses, and the school reported a profit rather than a loss.Brady’s donation therefore involved more than one charitable contribution. He gave Best Buddies $50,000, directed the rest of his speaking fee to other charities and continued supporting an organization with which he had an established fundraising relationship. The available reports confirm those details, although they do not provide a complete list of the other recipients.
