Three-time Super Bowl champion and four-time All-Pro Travis Kelce, widely known for his prowess on the American football field and his relationship with music superstar Taylor Swift, has added a new line to his CV: minority investor in the Cleveland Guardians baseball team.
The Guardians announced on Wednesday, ahead of their game against the Washington Nationals, that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end has acquired a minority stake in the franchise.
The Cleveland Heights native purchased a small share of David Blitzer's 35 per cent holding, with Blitzer retaining the option to become the controlling owner after the 2027 season.
"The opportunity came across my desk and I just couldn’t say no," Kelce revealed on the New Heights podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce.
"These guys (Blitzer and majority owner Paul Dolan) gave me the opportunity to show my Cleveland love and plant my roots in Cleveland forever, no matter what. It’s an awesome feeling knowing that a childhood kid that grew up on the east side is now part-owner of his favorite baseball team."
Kelce’s connection to baseball runs deep, having excelled in football, basketball, and baseball at Cleveland Heights High School.
He was even named a Cleveland Plain Dealer baseball player of the week in May 2008 during his senior year, boasting an impressive 14-for-22 record with two home runs and 12 RBIs. He also played on a collegiate summer team in 2010 while attending the University of Cincinnati.
In a joint statement, Dolan and Blitzer praised Kelce’s credentials: "Travis Kelce knows what it takes to win at the highest levels and he’s exemplified that throughout his playing career and in the way he shows up as a community leader and businessman.
“He cares deeply for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio and is committed to supporting our mission of building out a world-class organization that helps uplift the communities we serve. It’s great to welcome Travis home and we know he’ll make a lasting impact here."
During the podcast, Kelce, sporting a Guardians' City Connect jersey, reminisced about attending games as a child, citing Albert Belle and Jim Thome as his favorite players.
"There’s so many countless memories of the 1990s and then early 2000s where it’s in me to always root for the Guards and always wanted to be a part of them from," he said.
"It’s a dream come true for a Cleveland kid. Any Cleveland kid would be through the roof right now, and I’m happy to be the honorable one to get to do it for us."
Kelce and Ms Swift were recently in Cleveland last weekend, attending Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Cavaliers and New York Knicks.
His first official act as part-owner will be to throw a ceremonial first pitch on 14 June against the Detroit Tigers, a task he attempted during Cleveland's 2023 home opener, resulting in a ball that spiked near the plate.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt expressed his delight, albeit with a touch of good-natured rivalry.
A staunch San Francisco 49ers fan, Vogt admitted, "I’m still a little bit bitter because the Chiefs beat the Niners twice in the Super Bowl. But outside of that, it’s pretty cool to have Kelce on board."
Kelce now joins fellow Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, who holds a stake in the Kansas City Royals, in investing in a Major League Baseball team. Mahomes shared a video of Kelce's previous first pitch, offering his congratulations.
