Big 12 football program receives ‘unprecedented’ $300 million gift ahead of 2025 season
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From 2000-2021, the Kansas Jayhawks were the worst Power 5 football program in the country. Their .306 winning percentage (80-181) over that stretch was a whopping 21 points lower than Duke’s second-worst mark (.327; 87-179).
Lance Leipold has given the program life since then, and one of Rock Chalk’s biggest supporters doesn’t want the momentum to stop.
Wednesday morning, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Kansas football received a whopping $300 million donation from donor David Booth. The gift, according to Thamel, is one of the largest in the history of college athletics.
“David has always believed in the power of athletics to unite communities, generate Jayhawk spirit and create lasting bonds between alumni, students and fans,” KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod said in the school’s press release announcing the donation. “His generosity is inspiring, and his loyalty to KU runs deep. We are beyond grateful for his transformative gift.”
Booth, the chairman and co-founder of Dimensional Fund Advisors, is a graduate of Lawrence High School and a Kansas alum. He donated $50 million to the Jayhawks in Sept. 2017 to renovate what was then known as Memorial Stadium. A short time later, the university elected to rename the venue “David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium” in honor of his donation. Forbes estimates Booth’s net worth to be $2.9 billion dollars.
Kansas began renovating “The Booth” last year. Phase 1 of the process was completed ahead of the 2025 season. A quarter of Booth’s donation ($75 million) will be allocating toward “launching Phase 2 of its transformation,” per Thamel. The Jayhawks’ first game in their upgraded stadium comes versus Fresno St. on Aug. 23.
