Reports: Rockets owner Leslie Alexander pledges $10 million to Harvey relief efforts

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander will now donate $10 million to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund started by Houston mayor Sylvester Turner, an increase from the $4 million he pledged Monday, according to multiple reports.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Alexander has told the mayor about the increased contribution, but the team will not put out a statement on the matter because Alexander does not want the additional donation to bring attention to himself.

The Rockets had issued a statement Monday after Alexander's original donation, saying, "our hearts are heavy seeing the devastation that so many of our friends, family and neighbors are experiencing."

Later Tuesday, theNBA and NBPA announced they've jointly committed to donate $1 million to organizations "including the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, American Red Cross, and other non-profit groups working in the Greater Houston area to bring relief to those impacted."

The Houston Astros ownership group also agreed to donate $4 million to the relief efforts and said all revenue from tickets, concessions and parking from their relocated series against theTexas Rangerswill go to hurricane relief efforts. With the series opening Tuesday night in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Rangers also pledged $1 million in hurricane relief.

Thursday's preseason game between the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboyshad been relocated, with the Cowboys playing host, but on Wednesday the NFL decided to cancel it, according to ESPN and multiple reports. The teams announced that ticket sales would be donated to the United Way of Greater Houston Relief Fund. Tickets went on sale Tuesday night and more than 40,000 had been sold -- proceeds will go to the fund.

Separately, the Texans and owner Bob McNair donated $1 million to flood relief with the NFL Foundation saying it will match the donation. Texans linebackerBrian Cushing has also donated $50,000 to help first responders helping with Harvey relief efforts.

Now classified as a tropical storm, Harvey has devastated the Houston area with flooding as a result of unprecedented rainfall totals.

Among other donations announced by teams and athletes:

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette announced he will donate $50,000 toward relief efforts. Fournette and his family endured the effects of Katrina in 2005.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Kazmir, who is from Houston, donated $10,000 to the Houston SPCA, $10,000 to the Coalition for the Homeless, $10,000 to the Houston Food Bank and $100,000 to the Bayou City Fellowship for a total of $130,000.
TheSt. Louis Cardinalsannounced they will match the pledges of Matt Carpenter and Adam Wainwright for relief efforts. On Monday, Carpenter, a native of Galveston, Texas, pledged to donate $10,000 for every home run he hits for the remainder of the season. Wainwright then pledged to match Carpenter's donation.
Tennessee Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk donated $1 million to J.J. Watt's relief effort, helping push the total raised by the Texans defensive end to $2 million. The New York Jets also donated $1 million on Tuesday, making their pledge to the American Red Cross.
TheChicago Cubssaid their 50/50 raffle for Wednesday's game against thePittsburgh Pirateswill go to flood relief. Cubs manager Joe Maddon also said his charity event scheduled for this coming weekend will add Houston flood relief as a charitable recipient.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout and Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott both announced donations that made reference to their uniform numbers. Trout, who wears No. 27, donated $27,000. Elliott, who wears No. 21, donated $21,000.
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes, a native of the Houston area, told ESPN's Josina Anderson he will donate $25,000 to relief efforts and an additional $5,000 for each sack he makes this season.
Cleveland Indians outfielder Jay Bruce has also pledged $100,000 to aid his home state.
The New England Patriots and owner Bob Kraft and pledged to match up to $1 million worth of funds donated to the American Red Cross in support of Harvey relief.
Cowboys wide receiverDez Bryant tweeted out that he donated $50,000 to the relief effort.