June 17, 2025 – A sensational claim is circulating that former Ole Miss and NFL quarterback Eli Manning has pledged an astounding $500 million to elevate Rebels athletics. If real, it would represent one of the largest private donations ever made to collegiate sports. However, as of now, no authoritative sources including the University of Mississippi, Ole Miss Athletics, Manning himself, or reputable media have confirmed any such commitment.
Eli Manning’s philanthropy is well-documented, though measured. In 2010, he and his wife Abby donated $1 million to the University’s Ole Miss Opportunity need-based scholarship program . They’ve also contributed approximately $2.5 million to the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital campaign, supporting pediatric care clinics . In 2015, a $627,195 donation helped install computers in Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital .
Those gifts reflect a consistent and meaningful giving pattern, with totals in the low millions rather than hundreds. Manning also helped kickstart Ole Miss’s “Champions. Now.” athletics capital campaign with a $1 million donation, supporting upgrades to facilities like Vaught‑Hemingway Stadium and the Manning Center . The university’s broader fundraising targets—nearing $1.5 billion—are funded by numerous alumni and donors, not a single benefactor.
By contrast, there is zero indication of a personal or foundation-backed gift anywhere near $500 million. Major journals, SEC filings, Ole Miss’s own donor records, and university communications are silence on this matter. An individual pledge of that magnitude would be impossible to conceal—yet no supporting evidence has surfaced.
So why might this rumor be making rounds? It’s likely a misinterpretation of institutional fundraising targets or aggregated campaign goals. It’s also possible a social media post took the university’s overall athletics fundraising ambition and incorrectly attributed it to Manning personally.
