Tom Brady donated $170,000 Salem State speaking fee to charities in 2015

Tom Brady earned $170,000 for a one-hour speaking appearance at Salem State University in May 2015. But the former New England Patriots quarterback reportedly gave away the entire fee, sending $50,000 to Best Buddies and the rest to other charities. The donation came during a difficult stretch in his NFL career, with the Deflategate controversy dominating headlines and a four-game suspension hanging over him.The event attracted around 4,000 people, but Brady’s decision to donate the money gave the appearance another dimension. Here is how the payment, the charity contribution and his existing relationship with Best Buddies came together. Tom Brady gave away his $170,000 Salem State speaking feeSalem State University confirmed on June 16, 2015, that its nonprofit foundation had paid Brady $170,000 for his appearance at the school’s annual speaker series on May 7.