Travis Kelce joins Cleveland Guardians ownership group as a minority investor

Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and Cleveland Heights native, has joined the Cleveland Guardians ownership group as a minority investor. The team announced Wednesday that Kelce acquired a portion of David Blitzer’s 35% stake, allowing him to become a part owner while retaining his NFL career. Blitzer retains the option to become the controlling owner after the 2027 season or later. Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champion and fiancé of Taylor Swift, described the opportunity as a lifelong dream. 'These guys gave me the opportunity to show my Cleveland love and plant my roots in Cleveland forever,' he said on the *New Heights* podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce. The Guardians, formerly known as the Indians, hold deep personal significance for Kelce, who played football, basketball, and baseball at Cleveland Heights High School and was a standout baseball player in his senior year. The Guardians’ majority owner, Paul Dolan, and Blitzer praised Kelce’s leadership and commitment to the community. 'He cares deeply for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio and is committed to supporting our mission of building out a world-class organization,' they said in a joint statement. Kelce’s first official act as an owner will be throwing a first pitch on June 14 against the Detroit Tigers, following a failed attempt during the 2023 home opener against Seattle. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, a die-hard San Francisco 49ers fan, expressed mixed feelings about Kelce’s arrival. While he acknowledged the excitement of having Kelce on board, Vogt admitted lingering bitterness over the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victories over his favorite team. Despite the rivalry, Vogt welcomed Kelce’s involvement in the franchise. Kelce’s investment makes him the second Chiefs player to own a stake in a baseball team, following quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who holds shares in the Kansas City Royals. Mahomes congratulated Kelce via a tweet featuring his first pitch at Progressive Field. Kelce and Swift recently visited Cleveland for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Cavaliers and Knicks, further highlighting his ties to the city. The Guardians’ announcement came before their game against the Washington Nationals, signaling Kelce’s immediate integration into the organization. His ownership stake reflects both his personal connection to Cleveland and his ambition to contribute to the team’s future success.