LAWRENCE, Kan. — The University of Kansas has received a $300 million gift from donor David Booth, a contribution ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported is believed to be among the largest single gifts in the history of college athletics.
The Lawrence native, a KU graduate and chairman of Dimensional Fund Advisors, has earmarked $75 million of the donation toward launching Phase 2 of the school’s transformation of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and construction of the surrounding Gateway District.
Kansas has already committed $450 million to Phase 1 of the Gateway District project, which included an overhaul of the stadium’s southwest, west and north sides, as well as a major renovation of the Anderson Family Football Complex. Construction began after the 2023 football season and will be finished in time for the Jayhawks’ season opener later this month.
Phase 2 will complete the stadium renovations and add a mixed-use development east of the stadium, including a new hotel, outdoor event plaza, student housing, retail and restaurant space, and parking. The total cost is estimated at $360 million. Lawrence city commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a package of financial and tax incentives worth about $94 million to support the work.