• Loading stock data...
Friday, January 16, 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+.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders hug following a game at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

More Health Problems for Deion Sanders As Colorado Slides

Sanders indicated his blood clots have returned.

3 ABC Games Top 10M Viewers Each in ESPN’s Record CFB Weekend

Miami–Notre Dame led the way with 10.8 million viewers.

Bill Belichick’s UNC Debut Draws More Than 6M Viewers on ESPN

TCU-UNC was the fifth-most-watched college football game of Week 1.

5 of 10 Highest-Paid CFB Coaches Lose in Week 1

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer was the biggest surprise of the Week 1 losers.

Featured Today

Black Rabbit

The Netflix Star Who Makes Sure NBA Players Have Clean Towels

How a Nets staffer landed a breakout role on “Black Rabbit.”
January 9, 2026

NHL Ditched Its Dress Code. Hockey’s Fashion Era Arrived Quickly

With no dress code, impeccably dressed players are seeing big-money deals.
January 6, 2026

Hockey in Florida Was Once a Risk. Now It’s Thriving

The state of Florida has become a traditional—and highly lucrative—market.
Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after scoring a basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Crypto.com Arena
January 4, 2026

Why Pro Sports Team Valuations Will Keep Climbing in 2026

Asset scarcity and increasing media-rights deals underpin soaring valuations.
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) celebrates after defeating the Mississippi Rebels 31-27 during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and CFP semifinal game at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 8, 2026, in Glendale.

Miami CFP Ticket Prices Are Finally Dropping. They’re Still Above $2,500

Though prices have dropped significantly, they’re still on track to make history.
Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy (5) scores a touchdown during the CFP Fiesta Bowl against Miami at the State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Ariz., on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
January 14, 2026

College Football Transfers Down 23% After Schools Started Paying Players

Ohio State had 33 players on its football roster enter the portal this month.
January 14, 2026

Dante Moore Chooses NIL Over NFL

The Oregon QB was viewed as potential New York Jet.
Sponsored

ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025: Inside the Technology Shaping the Future of..

At ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025, ESPN showcased how AI, immersive tech, and a rebuilt direct-to-consumer platform are redefining the future of sports media.
Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) rushes the ball Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, during the Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
January 13, 2026

College Sports Watchdog Will Enforce Rules Without Legal Backing

Without signed participant agreements, the enforcement body may not have any teeth.
January 13, 2026

Feds Say They’re Investigating College Sports Agents 

The FTC is attempting to enforce agent regulations in college sports.
January 13, 2026

College Basketball’s Former Pros Are Off to Extremely Slow Starts 

An NBA draft pick is averaging three points a game in college.
January 11, 2026

Mark Cuban Has Questions About CFP Championship Ticket Prices

Indiana-Miami is trending to be the most expensive CFP title game ever.