In a stunning move following the Kansas City Royals’ crushing 9-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins on April 9, 2025, at Target Field, billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $500,000 to the team with a pointed message: “Use it to stop losing.” The announcement, made via a statement on Scott’s charitable foundation website, comes after a game that left Royals fans reeling and the organization under intense scrutiny, especially after owner John Sherman’s recent “final order” to head coach Matt Quatraro to turn the team’s performance around.

The Royals’ defeat was nothing short of a disaster. The Twins, led by a dominant six hitless innings from newcomer Martín Perez, racked up 14 hits, including a grand slam by Byron Buxton, while the Royals’ offense managed just three hits. Starting pitcher Cole Ragans was pulled after allowing six runs in three innings, and the bullpen offered no relief, with James McArthur surrendering Buxton’s slam. The shutout marked the Royals’ second of the season, a stark contrast to their 2024 playoff run, and dropped their record to 5-8, fueling fan frustration over the team’s early struggles.

Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and a known advocate for underdog causes, has a history of high-profile donations, including $4.2 billion to various charities in 2020 alone. Her decision to support the Royals appears to stem from a personal connection to Kansas City, where she has previously funded local initiatives through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation—a group tied to the Royals’ ownership history since Ewing Kauffman’s death in 1993. In her statement, Scott wrote, “I’ve seen what this team can do when they’re at their best, like last year’s playoff run. But last night’s loss was unacceptable for a city that deserves better. Use this money to get back on track—stop losing.”

The donation has sparked mixed reactions. Some Royals fans on X celebrated the gesture, with one user posting, “MacKenzie Scott just gave us hope! Let’s use this to fix the bullpen!” Others, however, questioned the impact of the funds, pointing out that $500,000 is a drop in the bucket for a franchise valued at over $1 billion by Forbes in February 2025. “What’s half a million going to do? We need better players, not a handout,” another fan wrote. Critics also noted the irony of Scott’s involvement, given her past critiques of billionaires’ wealth accumulation, including her ex-husband’s, during the pandemic.

Quatraro, already under pressure after Sherman’s ultimatum following the Twins loss, addressed the donation in a press conference on April 9. “We’re grateful for Ms. Scott’s support,” he said. “This money will go toward player development and resources to help us compete. We know we let the city down last night, but we’re not giving up.” The Royals face the Chicago White Sox next on April 11, a series now seen as a make-or-break moment for Quatraro’s tenure. While Scott’s donation offers a financial boost, it also adds to the mounting pressure on the Royals to deliver—or risk further embarrassment in a season that’s quickly spiraling out of control.