Pat McAfee donates $1M to Tony Finau Foundation
Oct 23, 2026, 9:15 PM | Updated: 9:34 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Pat McAfee committed to donate $1 million to the Tony Finau foundation, after the PGA Tour pro sank a long putt during a timeout at the Utah Jazz home opener.
Finau sank the putt on his second attempt midway through the first half in front of the sold-out Delta Center crowd.
Related: College GameDay returns to Utah
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Pat McAfee donates $1 million to Finau Foundation
McAfee’s donation comes less than a week after Jazz governor Ryan Smith made a $1 million donation of his own.
Smith, along with Jazz minority owner Ryan Sweeney each contributed to McAfee’s “Kicking is Easy” competition on ESPN College GameDay, where BYU student Carter Smith nailed a 33-yard field goal to take home the massive prize.
With the GameDay crew in town for the second consecutive weekend, Smith had McAfee return the favor.
The Jazz rolled out the Qualtrics putting green, which usually allows one lucky fan to putt for a chance to earn up to $8,500.
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However, the Jazz surprised McAfee by inviting six-time PGA Tour winner Tony Finau to try the putt.
After missing left on his first attempt, Finau’s second putt found the bottom of the cup.
McAfee graciously accepted the challenge, shaking the Utah native’s hand.
The Tony Finau Foundation “aims to empower and inspire youth and their families to discover, develop, and achieve the best of their gifts through education, wellness, and recreation,” according to the non-profit’s website.
GameDay takes in Jazz game
McAfee wasn’t the only member of College GameDay at the Jazz’s home opener.
Kirk Herbstreit, with his dog Peter, and Alabama legend Nick Saban chatted with the Jazz’s Danny Ainge, Austin Ainge, and Will Hardy before the game.
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GameDay is in Utah as the Utes prepare to host the Houston Cougars on Saturday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
ESPN will broadcast its flagship college football pregame show from President’s Circle on the University of Utah campus.
Utah and Houston will kick off at 8:15 p.m. MT on ESPN.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 2-6pm with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on X at @BensHoops or on BlueSky.
