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On Thursday afternoon, as season ticket holders gathered around, the Grizzlies made the official announcement of Mike Conley's signing a contract that would pay him $153 million over the next five seasons.
As it turns out, though, Conley won't see all of that money. During the press conference, he announced that he would be donating $1 million of his new deal to the Grizzlies Foundation.
.@mconley11 makes major donation to @GrizzCommunity Get the full story.> https://t.co/y3FV8blBR1
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) July 14, 2016
Conley's donation, which was immediately matched by owner Robert Pera, will go toward helping provide more opportunities to those in the community who need it. In Conley's comments, he spoke to the recent civil unrest following the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, something that Memphis has seen up close, and needing to do better.
The donation also helps cement Conley's connection to the community. Conley is beloved by Memphis for his play on the court, and, as Chase wrote earlier today, the toughness he showed in coming back so quickly from a broken orbital bone. This act of kindness can only serve to strengthen that bond.
Memphis loves Mike Conley, and he loves them back.