In an unexpected twist only the modern NIL era could script, former five-star defensive tackle David Stone has reversed his month-old transfer-portal entry, re-enrolled at the University of Oklahoma, and—more astonishing still—announced a $10.5 million personal gift to jump-start a sweeping renovation of Gaylord Family–Oklahoma Memoria…..
Breaking News: David Stone Returns to Oklahoma, Donates $10.5 Million Toward Gaylord Family–Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Overhaul
Norman, Okla. – May 19 2025, 10:12 a.m. CDT (4:12 p.m. WAT)
In an unexpected twist only the modern NIL era could script, former five-star defensive tackle David Stone has reversed his month-old transfer-portal entry, re-enrolled at the University of Oklahoma, and—more astonishing still—announced a $10.5 million personal gift to jump-start a sweeping renovation of Gaylord Family–Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The 19-year-old sophomore’s donation, funneled through a newly formed charitable arm called Stone Strong Foundation, instantly becomes the single largest athlete-led contribution in OU history and places the Sooners at the vanguard of player-driven capital projects.
—
From Portal Turbulence to Crimson Homecoming
Stone’s roller-coaster spring began on April 18, when he surprised coaches by entering the NCAA transfer portal after playing just 94 snaps as a freshman. Reports pointed to disagreements over Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) valuation. During the weeks that followed, Stone visited Miami, Oregon, and Texas A&M, yet never publicly committed.
Sources inside Oklahoma’s Switzer Center say head coach Brent Venables and new general manager Matt Nagy maintained daily contact, stressing an expanded role in 2025 and the prospect of SEC-level exposure when OU officially joins the conference this fall. But what sealed Stone’s return, according to multiple people familiar with the talks, was the university’s willingness to endorse his vision for a stadium upgrade that pairs athletic excellence with community uplift—especially for Oklahoma City youth who idolize him.
> “Leaving made me realize Norman is where I’m meant to build—on the field and in life,” Stone said Monday, wearing a crimson polo embroidered with a discreet SS monogram. “I came home to win championships, and I’m investing so future Sooners chase bigger dreams than I ever imagined.”
—
Anatomy of a $10.5 Million Gift
Stone’s fortune stems from an unprecedented NIL portfolio that, even after last month’s pay-cut controversy, remains valued at roughly $4 million annually, according to industry tracker On3. He has equity stakes in two local startups—Sooner Solar, a residential-panel installer, and Red Dirt Hydration, a sports-drink brand—plus national endorsement contracts with Nike’s Gridiron City campaign and gaming giant Electronic Arts. Financial advisers have structured the gift as a blend of current cash ($3.5 million), vested NIL earnings over the next two years ($5 million), and the transfer of 5 percent equity in Sooner Solar (estimated $2 million).
University President Joseph Harroz Jr. confirmed the Board of Regents voted unanimously in a Sunday-night emergency session to accept the pledge, contingent on third-party oversight and compliance with NCAA amateurism bylaws. OU’s compliance office, coordinated with the SEC and NCAA, ruled that because Stone’s donation benefits the entire student body and not himself individually, it does not constitute an impermissible benefit.
—
Renovation Blueprint: “SEC-Proofing” the Palace on the Prairie
Athletic Director Joe Castiglione presented preliminary schematics that rebrand the north end-zone complex as the Stone Strong Performance Center and expand stadium capacity from 80,126 to 82,500. Key elements:
1. Player Wellness Hub (Phase I, Aug 2025–Jan 2026)
20,000-sq-ft sports-science lab with cryotherapy suites, motion-capture biomechanics tunnels, and a mental-health counseling wing.
Installation of a hydro-therapy plunge circuit mimicking Olympic-village standards. ($4 million from Stone gift)
2. Fan Access & Technology (Phase II, Feb 2026–July 2026)
Replacement of outdated copper cabling with stadium-wide 400-gig fiber backbone enabling 8K live replay and augmented-reality fan apps.
Construction of 28 additional ADA-compliant viewing platforms, addressing a long-criticized shortfall. ($3.2 million from Stone gift)
3. Community Education Deck (Phase III, Aug 2026–Mar 2027)
A rooftop STEM classroom and e-sports arena open to Oklahoma City Public Schools on weekdays, converting to premium club seating on game days.
Net-zero energy target via 2,400 bifacial solar panels supplied at cost by Sooner Solar. ($3.3 million from Stone gift)
Total projected cost: $118 million. Stone’s gift unlocks a matching-fund clause in Castiglione’s 2024 strategic plan, triggering $30 million from private donors and $25 million from stadium-reserve bonds, with the remainder expected from a forthcoming SEC media-rights revenue advance.
—
Why a Teenager Can Outspend Boosters
While alumni titans like oil magnate T. Boone Pickens once defined Big 12 largesse, NIL allowables have created a new wealth class of active athletes. Sports economist Dr. Linda Reaves notes that “high-six-figure NIL deals compounded by equity positions can place a sophomore’s liquid assets ahead of some legacy donors—especially when that athlete sees philanthropy as brand differentiation.”
Reaves adds that Stone’s move could influence future recruiting: “Imagine telling a five-star QB he can both play and imprint his name on a facility before he’s draft-eligible. That’s a paradigm shift.”
—
Regulatory and Ethical Shoals
Critics quickly
