Sunday, September 20, 2026

Diddy To Donate $1M to Jackson State Football Post Coach Prime

  • The hip-hop icon’s support comes as the HBCU program moves forward without former head coach Deion Sanders.
  • Jackson State-South Carolina State opens the season on ABC.
Jackson State-South Carolina State opens the season on ABC.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Sean “Diddy” Combs will be in Atlanta to attend Saturday’s season-opening college football matchup between Jackson State and South Carolina State and present a $1 million check to Jackson State University’s football program.

The music mogul’s check will come as Jackson State begins its first season since former head coach Deion Sanders left the HBCU school after three seasons for Colorado’s head coaching gig. Sanders led Jackson State to a SWAC title and a 12-1 record. Diddy’s check on Saturday will be presented at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge between the Jackson State Tigers and South Carolina State Bulldogs. 

The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is organized by ESPN’s John Grant, who outlined Diddy’s plans on the Tiger Talk podcast.  Grant revealed Diddy will speak to the team before the game.

Combs attended Howard University, an HBCU, in the 1980s. He initially said he would donate $1 million to Jackson State during his acceptance speech for a lifetime achievement award at the 2022 BET Awards. He is moving forward with his promise as T.C. Taylor begins his first season running the Tigers’ football program as head coach.

The MEAC/SWAC Challenge will be broadcast on Saturday on ABC. ESPN platforms will air nearly 90 HBCU football games this season, including nearly 60 games streamed on ESPN+.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Eugenio Chacarra

LIV Golf Exit Reignites Chacarra’s Passion—and PGA Tour Hopes

The young Spaniard is hoping to qualify for the PGA Tour.

Michael Vick Hired as Norfolk State Coach

The former quarterback does not have prior coaching experience.
Duante' Abercrombie News Ch.4 interview

An HBCU Is Betting on Hockey Amid a Financial Crisis

TSU has big plans, but the university is facing an existential dilemma.
Howard University

Howard’s Figure Skating Team Part of Olympic Sport Growth at HBCUs

Olympic sports at HBCUs are growing, with gymnastics and swimming gaining momentum.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NFL Ratings Dip, Steve Belichick Resigns, Knicks Ticket Refunds

0:00

Featured Today

Hot & Social/Mets

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.

Chambliss Steals the Show During Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Return

Chambliss stayed at Ole Miss instead of following Kiffin to LSU.
September 19, 2026

Clemson Engineers Comeback Win Over UNC After Lightning Delay

The game ended in front of a sea of empty seats.
September 19, 2026

Weather Delays Scramble ESPN College Football Coverage

A number of delays shifted games around ESPN’s platforms.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
September 19, 2026

College Students Have Won $2.2M in Pat McAfee Kicking Contest

Students took home $2.7 million in 2025.
Tigers Head Coach Lane Kiffin, LSU Tigers take on the LA Tech Bulldogs. September 12, 2026; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium.
September 19, 2026

How Lane Kiffin Built College Football’s Most Anticipated Game

Kiffin’s return to Oxford has been nearly 10 months in the making.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson (R-LA) talks with reporters as he arrives prior to the vote in the House of Representatives on its version of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 22, 2026.
September 18, 2026

College Sports Bill Faces Uphill Battle in the House

“The stars have to align in the House for the bill to pass.”
Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell watches the replay. The Florida State Seminoles defeated the New Mexico State Aggies 34-17 at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.
September 18, 2026

Norvell’s $48M Buyout Comes Into Focus As FSU Faces Alabama

Florida State fired its AD earlier this week.