Ross Stevens Donates $100M to Pay Every US Olympian and Paralympian $200k

Post by embedding-shape » Thu, Jan 29, 2026, 1:15 AM UTC

dylan604 wrote: post #19

embedding-shape wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Another $100,000 will be in the form of a guaranteed benefit for their families after they pass away. > So half of it will never be seen by the athlete This can't be right, right? I never heard of people "receiving a donation" that you get the promise of now, but will be given to your family once you die, sounds a bit macabre. And as you mention, also pointless, how would that make them "break through new frontiers…

Have you never heard of a trust before? They have all sorts of stipulations depending on what the person creating the trust wants. It's very common for a kid to only get access to their trust when they turn 18 with more access granted at other milestones. It also sounds like a free life insurance policy. Those also only pay out when someone dies. This doesn't sound macabre at all to me. Sounds more like loophole find…

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jan 29, 2026, 1:22 AM UTC

maxerickson wrote: post #22

apparent wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It allows them to "income smooth". They will know they're getting $100k down the road, so they can count on having that money to use for their kids' college or part of their nest egg. In the meantime, they can spend more freely. As for the gift to their heirs, that also allows them to consume somewhat more freely, instead of purchasing (as much) life insurance. Most young people don't, but people who compete in dange…

That's like $75 a year of term life insurance for a young healthy person.

Post by Arcuru » Thu, Jan 29, 2026, 1:32 AM UTC

Post by stouset » Thu, Jan 29, 2026, 1:35 AM UTC

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #17

zck wrote: post #10

> “I do not believe that financial insecurity should stop our nation’s elite athletes from breaking through to new frontiers of excellence,” Stevens said upon the announcement of his gift. So his goal is to prevent money issues from being a thing getting in the way of athletes achieving. But he has structured it in a way that prevents the money from helping this goal. > Per the Wall Street Journal, “Half will come 20…

> half of it will never be seen by the athlete Guaranteed benefits can be monetized. The gift’s goal is to start building generational wealth. But nothing prevents me from lending one of these athletes $50k today if they give me an LPOA over that death benefit tomorrow (assuming this doesn’t breach any covenants).

Post by Carrok » Thu, Jan 29, 2026, 1:37 AM UTC

pooloo wrote: post #18

embedding-shape wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Another $100,000 will be in the form of a guaranteed benefit for their families after they pass away. > So half of it will never be seen by the athlete This can't be right, right? I never heard of people "receiving a donation" that you get the promise of now, but will be given to your family once you die, sounds a bit macabre. And as you mention, also pointless, how would that make them "break through new frontiers…

Why even question it? Its a donation that no one ever had to make.