Breaking:In honour and show of love and respect to a Legend who helped the team to greatness, Memphis Grizzliez has donated $50million to the family of Marc Gasol as symbol of appreciation for….More details
Breaking: In Honour and Show of Love and Respect to a Legend Who Helped the Team to Greatness, Memphis Grizzlies Donate $50 Million to the Family of Marc Gasol as a Symbol of Appreciation… More Details
In a powerful gesture that has stirred emotion across the basketball world, the Memphis Grizzlies have announced a $50 million donation to the family of franchise legend Marc Gasol. The donation, described by team officials as “a legacy-defining tribute,” recognizes Gasol’s immense contributions to the rise of the Grizzlies and his enduring impact on the Memphis community.
The announcement came during a special ceremony at FedExForum, where former teammates, city leaders, and fans gathered to celebrate one of the most beloved players in Grizzlies history. The $50 million donation will support the Gasol family directly, as well as fund community and educational programs in Marc Gasol’s name.
> “Marc Gasol didn’t just put Memphis on the NBA map — he gave this city his heart,” said Grizzlies majority owner Robert Pera. “His leadership, humility, and commitment to excellence shaped the identity of this franchise. This donation is our way of saying thank you — not just to Marc, but to the values he stood for.”
Marc Gasol, who played for the Grizzlies from 2008 to 2019, is widely credited with being the cornerstone of the famed “Grit and Grind” era alongside Zach Randolph, Tony Allen, and Mike Conley. Known for his elite defense, high-IQ playmaking, and unshakable loyalty to Memphis, Gasol helped lead the team to multiple playoff appearances, including their first-ever trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2013.
> “This team meant everything to him,” said his brother Pau Gasol, also an NBA legend. “Marc always said Memphis wasn’t just a stop in his career — it was home.”
The donation will be used to:
Support the Gasol Family Foundation, which focuses on children’s health, education, and nutrition both in the U.S. and Spain.
Launch the Marc Gasol Youth Leadership Academy, a new Memphis-based program for underserved youth.
Provide scholarships in Marc’s name for student-athletes at the University of Memphis.
Fund ongoing efforts in Memphis neighborhoods to improve access to sports facilities and educational resources.
Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman also revealed that the team plans to retire Marc Gasol’s iconic No. 33 jersey next season in a celebration that will coincide with the unveiling of a statue outside FedExForum.
> “Marc Gasol defined what it meant to be a Grizzly,” Kleiman said. “He was tough, selfless, and unshakably loyal. His legacy is written in the soul of this city.”
Fans across Memphis and beyond took to social media to share their gratitude, with one post reading: “Marc gave us everything. Today, Memphis gave back.”
Marc Gasol, currently residing in Spain, released a short statement expressing his deep gratitude:
> “This honor goes far beyond basketball. It reflects love, trust, and shared history. I am humbled and forever connected to the city of Memphis.”
With this unprecedented gesture, the Grizzlies have shown that loyalty, character, and community impact matter just as much as championships. In honoring Marc Gasol, they have reminded the world what
it truly means to be a Memphis Grizzly.