BREAKING NEWS: TYRESE HALIBURTON DONATES ENTIRE $52 MILLION SIGNING BONUS TO CHARITY, INSPIRING NBA AND FANS WORLDWIDE
INDIANAPOLIS — In a move that has left the basketball world stunned and inspired, Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton has announced he will donate his entire $52 million signing bonus to a range of charitable causes, making one of the most generous personal contributions in professional sports history.
The 24-year-old, fresh off signing his max contract extension with the Pacers, revealed the news at a press conference Friday morning, stating that his decision stemmed from his upbringing and a deep desire to use his success to create meaningful change.
“I’ve been blessed beyond measure, and I know I wouldn’t be here without my family, my community, and those who believed in me,” Haliburton said, visibly emotional. “This is bigger than basketball. This is about making sure kids have opportunities, families have homes, and communities have hope.”
Haliburton’s donation will be distributed among several key initiatives, including:
Youth Education & Scholarships: Establishing the “Haliburton Scholars Fund” to provide full-ride scholarships for underprivileged students in both Indianapolis and his hometown of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Community Housing Projects: Partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build affordable housing units in Indiana and Wisconsin.
Mental Health Services: Funding free counseling programs and creating mental health outreach centers for young athletes across the U.S.
Food Security: Supporting Feeding America and local food banks to combat hunger in low-income neighborhoods.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Haliburton’s unprecedented gesture. “What Tyrese has done is nothing short of extraordinary. He’s redefining what it means to be a role model in the NBA, using his platform for the greater good.”
Teammates and coaches expressed pride in their point guard’s actions. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle called him “a leader on and off the court,” adding, “This shows the kind of man he is — someone who wants his legacy to be about more than stats and wins.”
The announcement sparked a wave of admiration across social media, with fans, athletes, and celebrities flooding Haliburton’s pages with messages of respect and gratitude. The hashtag #HaliburtonHelps quickly began trending worldwide.
While Haliburton admits the decision wasn’t easy, he said it was the right one: “I believe success is best measured by how many lives you can touch, not how much you can spend.”
As the Pacers prepare for the upcoming season, Haliburton’s act has already ensured his name will be remembered not just for his playmaking on the court, but for his generosity and compassion off it — proving that sometimes, the biggest assists happen far away from the game clock.