Chip, Joanna Gaines Make Historic Donation to Baylor Baseball Program

Television personalities Chip and Joanna Gaines are doing their part to get the Baylor baseball program back on track.

Baylor announced that the Fixer Upper stars made the largest donation in the history of the Bears' baseball program through their Magnolia media brand company.

Chip and Joanna, who have been married since 2003, issued a statement in the announcement:

"Baylor has always been more than a university to us—it's a place that shaped who we are and continues to shape leaders who care deeply about people. Baseball, in particular, has played a meaningful role in our family for generations. It's where lessons are passed down, relationships are built, and memories are made—on and off the field. This gift is rooted in our gratitude for the coaches who pour into their athletes, the student-athletes who show up with heart and discipline every day, and the fans who gather to cheer them on. Our hope is that this investment helps carry that sense of tradition, belonging, and opportunity forward—for Baylor Baseball, for all of Baylor Athletics, and for everyone who calls themselves a Baylor Bear."

The couple are both graduates from Baylor University, but they only overlapped for one semester in the fall of 1998 and didn't meet until 2001.

It's unclear how large the donation to the program was. As part of the contribution from the Gaines family, the Bears' baseball stadium will be renamed Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark.

Chip was a baseball player in high school and at Northlake College. He transferred to Baylor for his sophomore year and tried out for the baseball team, but he didn't make the squad.

Baylor was once a dominant baseball program with 13 NCAA tournament appearances in 15 seasons from 1998 to 2012, including a national title in 2005, but times have been tough since the end of Steve Smith's tenure after the 2015 season.

The Bears have just three tournament appearances and one Big 12 tournament title since 2013. Mitch Thompson has not made the tournament in his first three seasons as head coach, but he is coming off his first winning season in 2025 (33-22).

Baylor will open the 2026 season at home against New Mexico State on Feb. 13.