ESPN REPORT: Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz Shocks the Nation — Donates Entire $18.2M to Cincinnati Stadium Project: “The Reds’ Pride Lives in Me Forever”
In an extraordinary gesture that has reverberated throughout the baseball world and beyond, Cincinnati Reds superstar Elly De La Cruz has pledged his entire $18.2 million salary this season to fund the redevelopment of Cincinnati’s historic Great American Ball Park. His unprecedented donation is not only the largest single-player contribution to a sports facility in Major League Baseball history — it is also a powerful testament to his love for the city and the franchise that gave him his start.
In an emotional press conference held at the ballpark on Friday morning, the 23-year-old shortstop fought back tears as he spoke to an astonished room of reporters and team officials.
“This city has embraced me like family since the day I arrived,” De La Cruz said. “I have felt the love of Reds fans in every at-bat, in every cheer, and in every handshake on the streets of Cincinnati. The Reds’ pride lives in me forever. Now it’s my turn to give something back.”
The donation will directly fund the $150 million modernization project that aims to renovate Great American Ball Park over the next two years. Planned upgrades include new seating, state-of-the-art video boards, improved fan accessibility, expanded community spaces, and enhanced player facilities. De La Cruz’s contribution alone will cover the construction of a new youth baseball academy and an expanded community plaza, which will bear his name: The Elly De La Cruz Community Plaza.
A Bold Gesture, A Humble Star
Few could have imagined such a move from the young Dominican phenom, who just last year became an All-Star in his first full MLB season and is widely regarded as one of the most electrifying talents in the game.
“Elly is a special player, but he’s an even more special person,” said Reds CEO Phil Castellini. “This is a gesture that goes beyond baseball. It’s about community. It’s about legacy. Elly could have easily kept that money — no one would have questioned it. Instead, he’s chosen to invest it back into this city and this franchise.”
Sources close to De La Cruz say the idea was his alone. The decision reportedly came after a quiet conversation with Reds legends Barry Larkin and Joey Votto during the team’s annual charity gala earlier this year.
“Elly asked us, ‘What does it mean to leave a legacy here?’” Larkin recalled. “We told him it’s not just about records or rings — it’s about giving something that lasts beyond your playing days. Clearly, he took that to heart.”
Fans and Teammates React
News of the donation broke on ESPN early Friday morning and spread like wildfire across social media. Fans flooded the Reds’ official pages with messages of gratitude, and “Elly” trended nationally within hours.
“Elly De La Cruz is what every athlete should aspire to be,” tweeted one lifelong Reds fan. “He plays with passion, he honors the game, and he gives back. We are lucky to have him.”
Inside the Reds’ clubhouse, the mood was equally celebratory. Veteran first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand summed up the sentiment: “Elly’s always been about more than just himself. He inspires all of us, on and off the field.”
Manager David Bell added, “It’s humbling to coach someone with that kind of heart. He understands what this team means to this city — and now he’s ensuring it will mean even more to future generations.”
More Than a Stadium
While the headlines focus on the stadium project, De La Cruz made it clear that his donation is about far more than bricks and mortar.
“This isn’t just about building a better ballpark,” he explained. “It’s about building a better community. Baseball changed my life. I want every kid in Cincinnati to feel that same joy — whether they can afford a ticket or not.”
To that end, a portion of the funds will also establish the Elly De La Cruz Foundation, dedicated to providing free baseball clinics, scholarships, and after-school programs for underserved youth throughout the Cincinnati area.
“This is a full-circle moment for Elly,” said Reds community relations director Marissa Reed. “He came from humble beginnings in the Dominican Republic. Now he’s making sure young kids here in Cincinnati can dream big too.”
The Future of a Franchise Icon
For a player whose meteoric rise has already captured the imagination of Reds fans everywhere, this donation further cements De La Cruz’s place in the franchise’s storied history.
“Elly could go down as one of the all-time greats,” said ESPN analyst Jeff Passan. “But with this gesture, he’s already secured something even greater — the love and respect of an entire city.”
As for De La Cruz, he remains focused on what matters most.
“I don’t want this to be about me,” he said. “I want it to be about us — about Cincinnati. When kids come to this ballpark and play on that field, I want them to know: this is their home too.”
With his words — and now, his actions — Elly De La Cruz has ensured that the spirit of the Reds will live on for generations to come.