Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner and his brother, NBA veteran Moritz Wagner, have established the Wagner Family for Future gGmbH alongside their parents, Beate Wagner and Axel Schulz, to fund educational, cultural, and athletic projects for underprivileged children.
From Berlin Youth Courts to NBA Salaries
Long before Franz Wagner signed a lucrative contract extension with the Orlando Magic worth approximately $45 million annually, teammates at Berlin club Alba Berlin recognized a rare competitive drive. In the early 2010s, youth squads rarely lost games, but defeats provoked distinct reactions across the roster. While most ten- and eleven-year-old players resumed shooting baskets minutes after the final buzzer, a young Franz Wagner frequently sat on the floor in tears following a loss.
Today, the brothers acknowledge that athletic gifts alone did not secure their path to the professional ranks. Both players emphasize the role of a stable upbringing and unwavering parental support in Berlin. “It was made very, very easy for me to follow my dream, and I am very aware that not all children have this privilege,” Franz Wagner noted during the foundation’s launch in Berlin.
Founding the Wagner Family for Future gGmbH
The newly formed non-profit organization aims to address social disparities by funding initiatives across multiple disciplines, including education, arts, culture, and sports. Unlike foundations tied exclusively to athletic training, the Wagner Family for Future gGmbH intends to support broader youth development programs. “We want to help children develop their dreams and passions—no matter what that passion is,” Franz Wagner said at an event in a Berlin venue attended by friends and long-time companions.
The brothers cited a sense of obligation as a driving force behind the philanthropic effort. “I feel the desire, but also the pressure, to give something back because I don’t like how the world works,” Franz Wagner explained regarding the motivation to establish the corporate structure alongside their mother Beate Wagner and Axel Schulz.
Initial Projects and Support for Youth Initiatives
Before its formal launch, the organization provided financial backing to the International Girls Festival in Berlin, a four-day gathering held in conjunction with the Women’s Basketball World Cup. The event brought together 150 young women from Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe to participate in basketball clinics, cultural exchange workshops, dance, and art projects. Additional partnerships and funding announcements are scheduled as the foundation expands its operational reach in Germany and abroad.
Worth a look
