The puzzle of Broncos ownership is slowly being put together as they have added another piece in seven-time Formula One Champion Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton joins a group of record setting owners. At $4.65 billion dollars, this ownership group has made not only the largest purchase of an NFL team ever, but the largest purchase for any North American sports franchise ever.
The group is a who’s who of powerful people.
Let’s meet them.
The Waltons
Led by Rob Walton, a chairman and heir to the Wal-Mart fortune, this family took the Broncos into a new era of ownership.
With a net worth at an estimated $59 billion, Walton owns a majority stake in the Broncos.
This part of the group also includes his daughter Carrie Walton Penner, and her husband Greg Penner.
Penner is another chairman for Wal-Mart and is on the board for other billion-dollar businesses.
Walton spearheaded the purchase of the Broncos, and originally won the record setting bid. He outbid four other potential buyers for ownership of the team.
Mellody Hobson
Hobson is at the top of a lot. She is the co-CEO of Ariel Investments as well as chair of the board for Starbucks while also being a director at JP Morgan Chase. She was a part of the original group that bid and purchased the team with the Waltons. She is a minority owner in the team. This made her the first ever black woman to be part owner of an NFL team. Russell Wilson described her involvement as historic. “She’s the first Black woman to do this. This is a big deal. This is history. I think it’s gone over people’s heads a little bit. It’s news. It’s a tremendous representation for minorities, but Blacks in particular,” said Wilson after practice.
Condoleezza Rice
The former US Secretary of State joined the ownership group in early July. She was the first female, black Secretary of State and the first one to serve as the National Security Advisor. She served under the Bush administration from 2005-2009. Politics aside, football has always been a big part of her life. Her father John Wesley Rice Jr. was a high school football coach. She would even serve on the first ever College Football Playoff Committee. She lived in Denver growing up and attended the University of Denver for her bachelor’s degree, and even went back to the University for her PhD. Naturally, she would grow to become a big fan of the Broncos.
“I spent much of my younger years in Denver, so to be able to combine my love of the game with my love for this great city and team is an adventure of a lifetime and a great opportunity,” said Rice in a statement made on Facebook.
Sir Lewis Hamilton
Announced by Hamilton via a picture of his dog on Twitter, seven time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton joined the Broncos ownership on August 2. Coming from the United Kingdom, American football might seem a bit unusual for Hamilton, but winning isn’t. On top of his championships, he also holds the all-time Formula One record for wins with 103.
While it could just be coincidence, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and Hamilton appear to be friends, and have been photographed together in multiple Formula One events.
Peyton Manning (Maybe)
The rumor mill has been buzzing that the former Broncos quarterback could potentially join the ownership group in the future. Fans can only hope at this point.
With this new ownership group the team begins a new look and era starting in the 2022 season.
Broncos Country, let’s ride.
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