Teddy Bridgewater begs for donations

[Jambun82]

1 hour ago, Longtime Observer said:

Given the rules, the suspension seems reasonable. But, as others have suggested, the rules can easily be said to be absurd. Since when, in America, is the voluntary gifting of items or services a bad thing? Are we going to start infiltrating Christmas celebrations to see if anyone got presents deemed to be bad? "Have a look at what's under the Christams tree, there might be some Uber gift cards or other things and we can't have anyone giving those out!" If Teddy Bridgewater is OK paying for some uber rides etc, why is that a bad thing? Sure, it gives MNW an advantage in attracting players. So what? Maybe it'll be a waste of his money. Again, so what?

There does need to be more robust conversations around all of this. Yes, the rules should be the same for everyone. Yes, if they aren't the same, and/or some break them while many others don't, that is unfair. But, what, in all seriousness, is the case against allowing free adults to give gifts to poor kids who happen to be good at sports? The only argument I've heard is that it's against the rules. I'm not seeing anyone argue the rule itself makes sense in a free society.

You are finally starting to make some sense, have they changed the black and orange water over at Bryant Stadium? 

[FBGUY1989]

1 hour ago, Dr. D said:

For clarity, it appears that Northwestern, not the FHSAA, administered the suspension.  Not sure that does, or does not, render the arguments here moot, but one could argue that the school is trying to get out ahead of this.  

Yes it's true and the alumni president stepped down. From what I read the alumni president went downtown or wherever and said something. I don't know if Teddy rubbed someone the wrong way but this is what I read. But see here's the thing about this situation. Northwestern has a strong alumni and community support. Half if not all the politicians in politics graduated from Northwestern and local pastors. If this was such a big issue something should have been said way before now and I think because Teddy asked for donations this all came about. Teddy has the money to take care of these things but why should he go broke doing it.

[Perspective]

ESPN quotes Bridgewater's Facebook post as follows: 

"The suspension came from MNW and it's impossible to suspend someone who doesn't work for you.  So if im suspended from MNW im free to go to another school of my choice but IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

"And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem."

Honestly, it seems like the guy has a bit of 'the rules don't apply to me' or 'I don't have to follow the rules' mentality. 

[Jambun82]

3 minutes ago, Perspective said:

ESPN quotes Bridgewater's Facebook post as follows: 

"The suspension came from MNW and it's impossible to suspend someone who doesn't work for you.  So if im suspended from MNW im free to go to another school of my choice but IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

"And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem."

Honestly, it seems like the guy has a bit of 'the rules don't apply to me' or 'I don't have to follow the rules' mentality. 

Yes of course big shot, how dare anyone try to help some young man out with a generous offer from his own pocket! Did the new pinstripe suits arrive yet from Brooks Brothers, F. Lee Bailey, Clarence Darrow Jr?!  

[Perspective]

2 hours ago, Longtime Observer said:

 But, what, in all seriousness, is the case against allowing free adults to give gifts to poor kids who happen to be good at sports? The only argument I've heard is that it's against the rules. I'm not seeing anyone argue the rule itself makes sense in a free society.

I think the argument is this:  if 'free adults are allowed to give gifts to poor kids who happen to be good at sports,' we move from an amateur environment into a professional environment.   Historically, high school sports, college sports and even the Olympics were reserved solely for amateur athletes.  Within the last couple of decades, the barriers for professionals started to erode for the Olympics.   You may recall that Jim Thorpe won gold medals in track in the 1912 Olympics, but was stripped of those medals because he had played minor league (or "semipro") baseball prior to participating in the Olympics.   Ultimately, those medals were restored a few years ago.  The USA Olympic basketball team used to be comprised only of college players.  Now, it's all pros (with one or two college stars). 

Within the last 5-10 years, NIL changes have permitted college athletes to receive compensation. Before then, the rules in place for decades allowed college student-athletes to receive room, board and tuition.  The $100 post-game handshakes from alums in the locker room and brown paper bags filled with money - although they happened everywhere - were illegal (and arguably still are; they just don't happen as much because the athletes can receive money legally through NIL).

The NIL world is quickly filtering down to the high school level.  However, the rules in most all states, and certainly in Florida, are rooted in the concept that only amateur athletes can compete in high school sports.   And if you allow athletes to receive gifts, or otherwise compensate them or their families, such athletes are no longer considered amateurs.   Simply put, the rules has always been that if you get compensated to do play a sport, you are considered a professional.  And professionals cannot participate in amateur sports. 

Again, the rules in place (FHSAA Rules) are rooted in a clear distinction between amateur sports and professional sports.  There was a clear line that is slowly becoming more and more blurred.

If you want the argument as to why the rule makes sense, I think it is this:   there is a certain beauty in amateur sports, knowing that everyone who is playing is playing for the love of the game and not for money.  Everything changes once you start compensating athletes.  As I have stated before, the concept of compensation is a slippery slope.  What do you allow and what don't you?   FHSAA rules prohibiting impermissible benefits were written before Uber even existed. But the rule is pretty clear:  if you give something to football players that you don't give to all other students, that's an impermissible benefit - especially if the benefit is given to entice a kid to come to your school.  

If you allow schools/coaches/alums to compensate kids to play sports, then you take away the somewhat-level playing field.  And, over time, certain schools will dominate high school sports because they will have the financial wherewithal to attract the most talented athletes.  While this might be good for the handful of select, talented athletes, everyone else suffers.   I guess the real question is whether we just want to eliminate the distinction between amateur athletics and professional athletics altogether and simply allow the free-market system to play out for all athletes and all schools?  If you're inclined to answer this question with a "yes," I have only six words for you:  be careful what you wish for. 

 

[Longtime Observer]

1 hour ago, Perspective said:

ESPN quotes Bridgewater's Facebook post as follows: 

"The suspension came from MNW and it's impossible to suspend someone who doesn't work for you.  So if im suspended from MNW im free to go to another school of my choice but IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

"And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem."

Honestly, it seems like the guy has a bit of 'the rules don't apply to me' or 'I don't have to follow the rules' mentality. 

It is somewhat understandable for a guy who's passionate about the sport, and who reached very close to the pinnacle of it, to be dismissive of the many dimwits making the rules who have none of the above characteristics. And, he may also be considering the possibility that calling attention to the (perhaps) absurd nature of the rules and/or the dearth of funding in high school football may be worth it in the big picture. He's almost certainly going to have the opportunity to coach at the higher levels, and is not likely to be at Norhwestern for very long, anyway. He may make a bigger impact long-term/big picture doing this sort of thing than just winning a couple state titles and jetting.

[Longtime Observer]

58 minutes ago, Perspective said:

 I guess the real question is whether we just want to eliminate the distinction between amateur athletics and professional athletics altogether and simply allow the free-market system to play out for all athletes and all schools?  If you're inclined to answer this question with a "yes," I have only six words for you:  be careful what you wish for. 

 

Yes, the free market should be allowed to draw the lines between amateurism and professionalism. The beauty of playing strictly for the love of the game will certainly be allowed to persist. And, kids and adults alike play A LOT of games for fun as it is. See adult rec leagues, intramurals etc. This includes those who've been able to become wealthy through playing the sport as well! 

I think that, eventually, people like most all of us are going to recognize that it is preposterous to have teenagers getting paid to play high school sports, and/or get a free college education along with the extra compensation. Most of us have been fans of the game and of the school, not the "star" athletes. In the long run, I don't think there will be much of a market for paid teenager athletes. But, if someone is willing to part with their $ to allow a kid to be less poor, and that means that School A easily crushes the competition, I don't think that's a bad thing. It IS a thing that will cause a great many people to lose interest. And that will in turn diminish the market, which will of course mean kids aren't making any money anyway.

At issue, as I keep harping on, is the fact that the "big time" sports world where NIL money is available is an entirely different, beast of an animal that K-12 schools and even universities are not equipped to manage. Nor should they be. Big time, for profit sports should be separated from schools. The mission of the two entities is competely misaligned. 

[PinellasFB]

I suddenly wish Bridgewater had known he was breaking the rules and kept it on the DL.  He obviously cares a lot about that program and those kids.  Hate to see a guy who cares like that get taken down while the true cheaters are out there doing their thing.

[Perspective]

13 hours ago, PinellasFB said:

I suddenly wish Bridgewater had known he was breaking the rules and kept it on the DL.  He obviously cares a lot about that program and those kids.  Hate to see a guy who cares like that get taken down while the true cheaters are out there doing their thing.

If Bridgewater does get 'taken down,' I'd like to see him take a whole bunch of other guys down with him.  No reason why he should be the singular sacrificial lamb. 

[nolebull813]

44 minutes ago, Perspective said:

If Bridgewater does get 'taken down,' I'd like to see him take a whole bunch of other guys down with him.  No reason why he should be the singular sacrificial lamb. 

Imagine the jealously and disdain you have to have for someone that brought you a state title, bringing in top flight talent, so much exposure, huge showcase game against a national brand opponent, all while forking out your own money to do it for some punk clowns to undermine you and try and push you out. SMH. 
 

You know in SFL you can get really good or really bad real fast. So I wouldn’t shocked if this all ends in a dumpster fire that kids start to jump ship and they struggle to maintain the standard 

[Longtime Observer]

15 hours ago, PinellasFB said:

I suddenly wish Bridgewater had known he was breaking the rules and kept it on the DL.  He obviously cares a lot about that program and those kids.  Hate to see a guy who cares like that get taken down while the true cheaters are out there doing their thing.

Sure, but going about it this way will bring more attention to the absurdity of it all. Teddy is going to be just fine given his finances and reputation. The average high school coach who occasionally spends his own money like that, couldn't overcome getting caught helping. 

If coaches REALLY wanted to bring about change, they'd have large email chat groups and decide to all come out together, at once, and proclaim that they, too, sometimes dip into their own pocket to help cover expenses. I suppose the schools and/or FHSAA could always cancel the season so as to administer punishments to all the guilty coaches for their generosity. 

tl;dr: JUST SAY NO TO COMMUNISM. 

[Perspective]

57 minutes ago, nolebull813 said:

Imagine the jealously and disdain you have to have for someone that brought you a state title, bringing in top flight talent, so much exposure, huge showcase game against a national brand opponent, all while forking out your own money to do it for some punk clowns to undermine you and try and push you out. SMH. 
 

You know in SFL you can get really good or really bad real fast. So I wouldn’t shocked if this all ends in a dumpster fire that kids start to jump ship and they struggle to maintain the standard 

Nolebull, I'm not sure who you're referring to when you talk about the "jealous" and "disdainful" people. 

Bridgewater has put the MNW administrators in between a rock and a hard place.   He basically came right out and said "I've been breaking the rules and if you don't like it, tough sh*t."  The MNW admin folks have two choices:  try to take matters into their own hands in hopes that the FHSAA will go easy on them or, alternatively, put their collective heads into the sand, ignore Bridgewater's public confession and hope that the matter quietly goes away.  Oh, and it ain't going away. 

[DILLARDBOYZ954]

6 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

Imagine the jealously and disdain you have to have for someone that brought you a state title, bringing in top flight talent, so much exposure, huge showcase game against a national brand opponent, all while forking out your own money to do it for some punk clowns to undermine you and try and push you out. SMH. 
 

You know in SFL you can get really good or really bad real fast. So I wouldn’t shocked if this all ends in a dumpster fire that kids start to jump ship and they struggle to maintain the standard 

If we keepin it real. Before last year northwestern was known by name, and last history but, their product on the field was avg at best. Their last title was in 2019 & after that they had a 1 or 2 4-6 or 5-5 seasons after. 
 

& most will say they only won the championship last year because outside of central who had to forfeit 3A and the teams that’s in it is HORRENDOUS. 
 

teddy becoming the head coach of the west single handily had transfers legal and illegal coming in left and right because he’s a former/active nfl player & lets face it in 2025 the kids love to follow the hype. 
 

having a face like teddy on the sidelines automatically guarantee that entire team all types of connects, endorsements, exposure & etc. 

[DILLARDBOYZ954]

5 hours ago, Perspective said:

Nolebull, I'm not sure who you're referring to when you talk about the "jealous" and "disdainful" people. 

Bridgewater has put the MNW administrators in between a rock and a hard place.   He basically came right out and said "I've been breaking the rules and if you don't like it, tough sh*t."  The MNW admin folks have two choices:  try to take matters into their own hands in hopes that the FHSAA will go easy on them or, alternatively, put their collective heads into the sand, ignore Bridgewater's public confession and hope that the matter quietly goes away.  Oh, and it ain't going away. 

The question i have is & im being serious when I ask this ; what is the difference between northwestern & the first academy. 
 

because the first academy got hit with one of the harshest punishments ive seen recently for doing basically the same thing. Paying for uber rides & other incentives to the players in need & for a lot of the transfers that transferred to TFA but didn’t have transportation to & from. 
 

& there was NO out cry. Matter fact everyone said TFA got what they deserved. But in MNW case it’s all hell broke loose. Is it because who the head coach is ? Or is it because teddy explained what all the money he spent was for ? …….

[PinellasFB]

7 hours ago, Longtime Observer said:

tl;dr: JUST SAY NO TO COMMUNISM. 

I know "communism" is a common scare word brought up in the political world just to easily dismiss any ideas of a shared revenue concept.  In the world of sports, uncapped spending creates a great divide in competitiveness and hurts the sport overall.  If we didn't have any type of distributed money from the government, only a few schools could afford to field a team.  Football is incredibly expensive compared to other sports.  The big programs do in fact have a huge budget advantage over the field despite the shared revenue anyway.  The solution to this is actually to do whatever other states are doing to fund their programs.  Georgia coaches make serious money and coaching is a legit career there.  How do they afford it while Florida sucks ass?

[PinellasFB]

1 hour ago, DILLARDBOYZ954 said:

The question i have is & im being serious when I ask this ; what is the difference between northwestern & the first academy. 
 

because the first academy got hit with one of the harshest punishments ive seen recently for doing basically the same thing. Paying for uber rides & other incentives to the players in need & for a lot of the transfers that transferred to TFA but didn’t have transportation to & from. 
 

& there was NO out cry. Matter fact everyone said TFA got what they deserved. But in MNW case it’s all hell broke loose. Is it because who the head coach is ? Or is it because teddy explained what all the money he spent was for ? …….

TFA was doing way more than just a few slap on the wrist actions.  They are recruiting around the state and haven't stopped.  MNW probably has an outcry because a coach did it out of the kindness of his heart and love for the kids.  Hard to look at that in the same way as TFA which is all business and gives zeros shits about their kids. To be fair, TFA kids give zero shits about their school as it is a mutual business decision.  However, rules are rules and Teddy broke the rules so consequences are due no matter the intent.

[THAT S--T WAS FUNNY]

On 7/14/2025 at 5:13 PM, Perspective said:

ESPN quotes Bridgewater's Facebook post as follows: 

"The suspension came from MNW and it's impossible to suspend someone who doesn't work for you.  So if im suspended from MNW im free to go to another school of my choice but IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

"And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem."

Honestly, it seems like the guy has a bit of 'the rules don't apply to me' or 'I don't have to follow the rules' mentality. 

The dude has no idea what the rules are and how things work. Its common sense that If a school can hire a volunteer coach, then they can also fire or suspend a volunteer coach. Now it makes complete sense why he self-incriminated himself by posting a message that included fhsaa rules infractions. I mean c'mon man. 

[Longtime Observer]

1 hour ago, PinellasFB said:

I know "communism" is a common scare word brought up in the political world just to easily dismiss any ideas of a shared revenue concept.  In the world of sports, uncapped spending creates a great divide in competitiveness and hurts the sport overall.  If we didn't have any type of distributed money from the government, only a few schools could afford to field a team.  Football is incredibly expensive compared to other sports.  The big programs do in fact have a huge budget advantage over the field despite the shared revenue anyway.  The solution to this is actually to do whatever other states are doing to fund their programs.  Georgia coaches make serious money and coaching is a legit career there.  How do they afford it while Florida sucks ass?

The reference to communism- a very real threat in 2025 given the fact that the three largest cities in the country all figure to have communist mayors come November- applies to Bridgewater's situation because his voluntary donations are a problem only because he wanted the funds to go as he sees put, rather than given to another entity which will distribute funds equivalently (after having fraudulently "lost track" some portion of them). And, related, is the fact that other opposition to Bridgewater is rooted in the desire to see all schools have an equally distributed share of talent, which is much less likely if benefits are dispersed unequally. All of this is being addressed through the awful, communist "equity lens". It should be noted that the communist or "equity" based approach denies any and all outcomes that are not even on the grounds that they are necessarily disciminatory. When executed with fidelity, the "equity" approach means the score at the end of all games must be equal. Stupid and insane? Obviously. But, it's true.

[Longtime Observer]

3 hours ago, DILLARDBOYZ954 said:

The question i have is & im being serious when I ask this ; what is the difference between northwestern & the first academy. 
 

because the first academy got hit with one of the harshest punishments ive seen recently for doing basically the same thing. Paying for uber rides & other incentives to the players in need & for a lot of the transfers that transferred to TFA but didn’t have transportation to & from. 
 

& there was NO out cry. Matter fact everyone said TFA got what they deserved. But in MNW case it’s all hell broke loose. Is it because who the head coach is ? Or is it because teddy explained what all the money he spent was for ? …….

People loathe the fact that TFA has never accomplished anything of note on the field, shoves their religious "purity" in everyone's face, and then proceeded to recruit a bunch of star players out of the blue. It's also a private school with a lot of wealthy families shelling out big bucks for tuition.

Everyone knows there are very few wealthy kids attending Northwestern, or any other public school in Dade county.

I'm not that familiar with the accusations against TFA. If they really are the same as what Teddy has done for the Bulls, I suppose the consequences should be the same. But, judging from the response I've seen across social media, I think the consensus is the consequences should be zero.

[Longtime Observer]

53 minutes ago, THAT S--T WAS FUNNY said:

The dude has no idea what the rules are and how things work. Its common sense that If a school can hire a volunteer coach, then they can also fire or suspend a volunteer coach. Now it makes complete sense why he self-incriminated himself by posting a message that included fhsaa rules infractions. I mean c'mon man. 

Yes, in schools there are typically pretty clear and strict rules around who can be a volunteer for much of anything beyond helping pick up a piece of trash. Generally, the school district wants to cover its rear from volunteers who might commit crimes. But, there has to be some discernment here. Unfortunately, reasoning and decision making are not often emphasized in schools (or in much of society, either).

[DILLARDBOYZ954]

2 hours ago, PinellasFB said:

TFA was doing way more than just a few slap on the wrist actions.  They are recruiting around the state and haven't stopped.  MNW probably has an outcry because a coach did it out of the kindness of his heart and love for the kids.  Hard to look at that in the same way as TFA which is all business and gives zeros shits about their kids. To be fair, TFA kids give zero shits about their school as it is a mutual business decision.  However, rules are rules and Teddy broke the rules so consequences are due no matter the intent.

Last year MNW received 28 transfers in 2 months 

This year they received 31 so far. I love today and truly believe he’s for the kids. But how do you think MNW became so good over night? , all those transfers not from the bulls district , hell a few of them are from broward county. 
 

so like most schools who recruit , of course the coaches care about the kids safety therefore getting them Ubers or picking them up. But we’re not gonna act like it’s not also to keep said high prospects on their team to also give them a much better chance to go all the way. This has been going on for years. Teddy fault is that he made it known what he’s doing without blatantly saying “in order to keep my current and future high profile prospects, i have to keep them happy and provided for” , that’s no difference then what TFA was penalized for. 
 

but because they’re a private school it was frowned upon. Northwestern was also investigated going into the playoffs last year for ineligible players. Central had to forfeit their season twice in 5 years because of “slick and sneaky behavior” 

[PinellasFB]

1 hour ago, Longtime Observer said:

The reference to communism- a very real threat in 2025 given the fact that the three largest cities in the country all figure to have communist mayors come November- applies to Bridgewater's situation because his voluntary donations are a problem only because he wanted the funds to go as he sees put, rather than given to another entity which will distribute funds equivalently (after having fraudulently "lost track" some portion of them). And, related, is the fact that other opposition to Bridgewater is rooted in the desire to see all schools have an equally distributed share of talent, which is much less likely if benefits are dispersed unequally. All of this is being addressed through the awful, communist "equity lens". It should be noted that the communist or "equity" based approach denies any and all outcomes that are not even on the grounds that they are necessarily disciminatory. When executed with fidelity, the "equity" approach means the score at the end of all games must be equal. Stupid and insane? Obviously. But, it's true.

Wow this has my head spinning.  I will reel this in and avoid the political stuff rather than hijack this thread.  I am, though, confused about what you mean by Bridgewater donating his money directly to MNW versus giving it to a wealth redistribution process?  What exact process are you referring to?  Are you talking about shared gate receipts?  I have never liked this policy and have always preferred the home team doing a 60-40 share of their gate with the visiting team rather than donating to a large pool that is divided up evenly.  Here in Pinellas County we pool our gate and there are just a few teams propping up everyone else.  There has to be a better way.  

By the way, you might be confusing communism with socialism.  The processes you describe are socialist as well as the mayors you are referring to. Socialism is very different than communism despite similar concepts of sharing.  Communism is bad all around. Socialism isn't so bad and there are no purely capitalist societies out there as they all have some forms of socialism, including the USA.  Try not to get caught up in the anger baiting headlines and just read up on where everyone stands.  I am not a fan of the NY mayor elect but my reasoning is he is too far on the left.  Extremism is bad no matter which side you align with.  Oops, I did go there, my bad.  

[FBGUY1989]

11 hours ago, Longtime Observer said:

The reference to communism- a very real threat in 2025 given the fact that the three largest cities in the country all figure to have communist mayors come November- applies to Bridgewater's situation because his voluntary donations are a problem only because he wanted the funds to go as he sees put, rather than given to another entity which will distribute funds equivalently (after having fraudulently "lost track" some portion of them). And, related, is the fact that other opposition to Bridgewater is rooted in the desire to see all schools have an equally distributed share of talent, which is much less likely if benefits are dispersed unequally. All of this is being addressed through the awful, communist "equity lens". It should be noted that the communist or "equity" based approach denies any and all outcomes that are not even on the grounds that they are necessarily disciminatory. When executed with fidelity, the "equity" approach means the score at the end of all games must be equal. Stupid and insane? Obviously. But, it's true.

So if your a person who wants to give a donation no matter the amount how do you do it. Obviously if you played football you want your donations going towards the football team which is what Teddy is doing as the coach and now wants help. But now what about Cheerleading, Basketball, Baseball, Track & Field Soccer and other sports teams.

[badbird]

15 hours ago, DILLARDBOYZ954 said:

Last year MNW received 28 transfers in 2 months 

This year they received 31 so far. I love today and truly believe he’s for the kids. But how do you think MNW became so good over night? , all those transfers not from the bulls district , hell a few of them are from broward county. 

because they are cheating.  They should suspend the entire program and not allow them in the playoffs for two years.  It's one thing to give a kid a ride home from practice that lives in your zone and its another to be paying for rides for kids that don't live in your zone and wouldn't be coming to your school if you were not paying for them to get there.  This was the pattern and not just a random occurrence.  The physical therapy and paying for personal training is also enticement.  There is a reason they got 60 recruits errrr transfers over the last two years.  The school suspended him because the fhsaa is about to hammer them.  Bridgewater will get a minimum 6 games suspension and a $5k fine from the fhsaa.  The next time he will be suspended from ever coaching in Florida.  The school is facing harsh penalties and they are trying to avoid them.

 

The other stuff pride packs, team meals, field paint, camps could have been paid for by the school.  He could have just donated the money to the school and paid for it.  I'm not sure how to feel in this case.  I'm sure Teddy loves Northwestern and loves those kids but he was either oblivious to the rules or didn't care to follow them.  

[Longtime Observer]

15 hours ago, PinellasFB said:

Wow this has my head spinning.  I will reel this in and avoid the political stuff rather than hijack this thread.  I am, though, confused about what you mean by Bridgewater donating his money directly to MNW versus giving it to a wealth redistribution process?  What exact process are you referring to?  Are you talking about shared gate receipts?  I have never liked this policy and have always preferred the home team doing a 60-40 share of their gate with the visiting team rather than donating to a large pool that is divided up evenly.  Here in Pinellas County we pool our gate and there are just a few teams propping up everyone else.  There has to be a better way.  

By the way, you might be confusing communism with socialism.  The processes you describe are socialist as well as the mayors you are referring to. Socialism is very different than communism despite similar concepts of sharing.  Communism is bad all around. Socialism isn't so bad and there are no purely capitalist societies out there as they all have some forms of socialism, including the USA.  Try not to get caught up in the anger baiting headlines and just read up on where everyone stands.  I am not a fan of the NY mayor elect but my reasoning is he is too far on the left.  Extremism is bad no matter which side you align with.  Oops, I did go there, my bad.  

As I understand it, Teddy is in trouble, not because he donated out of his own pocket, but because he gave it directly to the football program. The powers that be wanted that money to go to the school admin and/or Dade county schools. And those entities then would distribute equal shares of that money across the entire school and/or district (after squandering a large share for themselves). The spirit or ideology driving that process is "equity", which, by an overwhelmingly gaping margin, is THE biggest focal point of education today. This isn't a secret, or a "conspiracy theory" : they tell us all this themselves. Things like learning to read, do math, operate a business etc are all tertiary in importance now. Primarily and secondarily, the focus is "equity". From Kindergarten through PHD programs in ALL fields (yes, including quantum physics). And, "equity" is measured in outcomes: only when everyone- to borrow the phrase of the former Vice President- ends up in the same place with the same stuff will we have "equity".  When Teddy opens up his wallet and gives to the football program, the refrain of "equity" monsters is "but what about the girls tennis team" or "what about the football program at Miami Springs?" Teddy's helping MNW football exclusively means unequal or "inequitable" outcomes, and this is sharply opposed in education at all levels today. When Northwestern beat Jackson 48-6 last year, the "equity" monsters in education likely spiraled into deep depression.

Pooling the gate among all schools in a district, instead of keeping it between the teams who actually played, is an example of "equity" ideology fouling things up. Like you said, the top few programs end up propping up the moribund programs, a la "Weekend at Bernies".

The number one philosopher in academia and within the "equity" movement is Karl Marx. There's always been semantic games played around socialism/communism/Leninism/Marxism/Maoism. What they all have in common is hatred for capitalism and worship of Marx. And Marx conceded that socialism inevitably leads to communism. The ultimate, overarching goal, is the abolition of the state into a classless society free of private property, international borders, police, jails and, yes, market-based economies. Socialism is understood to be a transitionary phase to communism which often appeals to dimwits.

To be an admin in a public school system, one must go through extensive graduate level education programming. These programs are currently DOMINATED by socialists/communists/Marxists...throughout academia everywhere in the world. Therefore, we can be certain that the overwhelming majority of administrators witin Dade County schools are socialists/communists/Marxists. That's what Teddy is running up against. The school and district want all money and benefits distributed equally and Teddy didn't play by those rules.