In a historic and deeply compassionate gesture, Phoenix Suns General Manager Brian Gregory announced today that he is donating his entire $64.67 million in sponsorship earnings to help combat homelessness in the Phoenix metro area. The funds will go directly to Metro Suns Homeless, a local nonprofit working to provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term support services for individuals and families without homes.
The donation will fully fund the construction of 150 new permanent housing units and provide 300 new emergency shelter beds, significantly expanding the organization’s capacity to serve one of Arizona’s most vulnerable populations.
“I’ve seen the effects of homelessness firsthand growing up, and I knew if I ever had the means, I’d give back in a meaningful way,” Gregory said at a press conference earlier today. “No one deserves to sleep on a sidewalk.”
Gregory, who became the Suns’ GM in 2023, has long been praised for his integrity and community-first mindset. But this donation marks a new level of commitment, placing him among the most generous philanthropists in professional sports.
The announcement was met with stunned applause from reporters, community leaders, and fans, many of whom broke into tears during the emotional event. According to Metro Suns Homeless CEO Carla Ruiz, the donation is “nothing short of transformational.”
“This gift will not only provide shelter and stability, but it gives people the dignity they’ve been denied for far too long,” Ruiz said. “Brian Gregory’s generosity is a beacon of hope in a time when so many feel forgotten.”
The new housing units will be built using trauma-informed design and will include on-site support services such as mental health counseling, job training, and substance abuse recovery programs. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026 and will be completed in phases over the next two years.
Public response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the hashtag #ThankYouBrian trending nationwide within hours of the announcement. Phoenix Mayor Lisa Sánchez called the donation “a masterclass in civic leadership,” while NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Gregory for setting a new standard for what sports figures can accomplish off the court.
Though the NBA has seen a rise in charitable initiatives in recent years, Gregory’s donation stands out for both its scale and its direct impact on a pressing local issue.
“We often talk about community,” Gregory added. “But community means action. Community means standing with people when it matters. Today is just the beginning.”
As homelessness continues to rise in major cities across the country, the Phoenix Suns GM has sent a clear message: real change is possible when leaders put people first.
