Gregg Popovich Says 'Rich As Hell' People Should Give More To Charity

Gregg Popovich is one of the best coaches in the NBA. Everyone wants to play for him, he’s a powerful voice in the league, and he often uses that platform to advocate for social and political change.

The latest noteworthy thing out of Popovich is that he thinks rich people are essentially jerks if they hoard their wealth and don’t give money to charity to benefit people. He spoke with ESPN’s Michael C. Wright about why he prioritizes charity work with the Spurs, and it became a larger discussion about his charitable efforts.

In an era where tax cuts for the wealthy are celebrated as a positive change for all by a president Popovich has called a “soulless coward,” it seems pretty obvious that he would not be in favor of how the wealthy manage their money. In response, he’s part of a growing number of people who, as he phrases it, are “rich as hell” and want to donate as much as possible to charity.

“Because we’re rich as hell, and we don’t need it all, and other people need it,” Popovich told ESPN. “Then, you’re an ass if you don’t give it. Pretty simple.”

The story also chronicles some of the efforts he’s undertaken, including a hurricane relief fundraiser he’s helping former Spur Tim Duncan out with.

Having spent considerable time and money working with several charities and nonprofits such as the San Antonio Food Bank and Shoes That Fit, with which he partnered in October to deliver shoes to more than 200 students at Gates Elementary, as well as the Innocence Project, Popovich has been vocal about serving the community.

In fact, several of Popovich’s charitable efforts go unpublicized, such as the donation (which sources called “substantial”) that he made to relief in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which ravaged the home of U.S. Virgin Islands native Tim Duncan, a former Spur and future Hall of Famer.

Discussing the political leanings of athletes and coaches, all of whom are ridiculously wealthy, can be dangerous. But looking at Popovich and another fellow liberal coach like Golden State’s Steve Kerr does show that they are layers to just how liberal or conservative different people in the NBA are.

Perhaps this meme can help further explain this point.