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Charles Barkley Makes History with Monumental $60 Million Gift to Auburn Basketball
A Game-Changing Legacy for Generations to Come
April 18, 2025 — Auburn, AL
In a stunning and unprecedented act of generosity, NBA Hall of Famer and beloved sports analyst Charles Barkley has made history by donating a monumental $60 million to Auburn University’s basketball program, marking the largest single gift ever given to the program — and one of the most significant in collegiate athletics.
Barkley, a proud Auburn alumnus and legendary figure in basketball, announced the groundbreaking contribution during a joint ESPN and Netflix special titled “Legacy in Motion: The Barkley Gift.” The emotional and celebratory event was broadcast live to millions and instantly hailed as a “generational game-changer” by sports pundits and Auburn fans alike.
“This isn’t just about basketball,” Barkley said during the live announcement. “It’s about opportunity, excellence, and lifting up the next generation of young men and women who wear the Auburn jersey with pride.”
A Legacy Cemented in Stone
The $60 million donation will fund state-of-the-art training facilities, academic support centers, student-athlete housing, and a new arena bearing Barkley’s name — “The Charles Barkley Center for Excellence.” Plans also include expanded scholarships, NIL player, Image, and Likeness) support, and wellness resources for both men’s and women’s basketball programs.
Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts praised the gift as “epochal,” stating: “Charles has always been one of Auburn’s greatest ambassadors. Today, he becomes one of its greatest visionaries.”
Netflix & ESPN Collaboration: “Legacy in Motion”
Netflix, in collaboration with ESPN Films, will debut a documentary chronicling Barkley’s journey from Leeds, Alabama to NBA stardom, and now, his transformation into one of the most impactful philanthropists in sports history. The documentary will feature never-before-seen footage, interviews with Barkley’s former teammates, coaches, students, and community leaders.
Tributes Pour In
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called the gift “a masterstroke of legacy building,” while LeBron James tweeted, “Sir Charles just changed the game AGAIN — massive respect.”
On Auburn’s campus, students gathered at Toomer’s Corner to celebrate, with chants of “Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!” echoing late into the night.
More Than a Donation
While $60 million is a staggering number, Barkley insists the heart of the gift lies in its purpose. “It’s about giving young people a chance to succeed — on and off the court,” he said. “If just one kid walks through those doors and becomes something great — then it was worth it.”
Charles Barkley has always been larger than life — and now, with this historic donation, his legacy will echo through generations of Auburn Tigers to come.
Streaming soon: “Legacy in Motion: The Barkley Gift” — only on Netflix. Re-airing highlights and
exclusive analysis on ESPN all week.