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CHARLOTTE -- The Charlotte Bobcats stepped up in a big way to help Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools on Monday. In a tough budget year for CMS, Bobcats Sports and Entertainment made a $250,000 donation to the district to help defray the costs of middle school sports.

This is the largest donation ever made by a professional sports team to CMS, and the largest single donation CMS has received to date.

Team owner Michael Jordan wasn't able to attend Monday's announcement at Eastway Middle School in east Charlotte, but Rufus was on hand to greet more than 100 students.

Because of substantial budget cuts this school year, both middle and high school students must pay a fee in order to participate. The district has been working hard to accommodate students who can't afford that fee. Officials with the Bobcats and CMS say this $250,000 gift will help close that gap, allowing 6,500 middle school athletes a chance to play.

"So as we talked about it, our owner Michael Jordan huddled with our team and we decided this is an initiative that's very authentic to who we are," said Fred Whitfield with the Bobcats.

CMS faces even tougher budget cuts next school year. The Bobcats say they will reevaluate the situation next year to see if they can continue to lend a hand.

"This is Michael Jordan putting his mark on the community," said CMS Superintendent Dr. Peter Gorman. "He's here to help us and we're grateful."

Earlier this month, the Charlotte Touchdown Club donated more than $57,000 to CMS, also in support of middle school athletics.