Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is expanding his sports portfolio with a new role away from the NFL. The Pro Bowl defender has acquired a minority ownership stake in Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians.
The move gives Ward a deeper connection to Cleveland’s professional sports community. He now joins other athletes who have invested in teams beyond their primary sport.
Denzel Ward adds baseball ownership to his portfolio
Ward has built strong ties to Northeast Ohio throughout his career. He played college football at Ohio State before becoming a key part of the Browns’ defense.
Now, the Cleveland star is adding MLB ownership to his growing professional portfolio. His investment in the Guardians allows him to remain connected to the city while expanding his interests beyond football.
Professional athletes have increasingly explored ownership, business and investment opportunities. As a result, sports stars are finding new ways to build long-term financial portfolios after and during their playing careers.
Ward joins Travis Kelce as a sports team stakeholder
Ward is not the only NFL player with an ownership connection to a Cleveland sports team. Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce is also a stakeholder in the Guardians.
Kelce has maintained strong ties to Cleveland, where he grew up and attended the University of Cincinnati. His investment in the Guardians reflects a growing trend of professional athletes becoming involved in team ownership.
For Ward, the move is especially notable because of his longstanding relationship with Cleveland. He entered the NFL with the Browns in 2018 and has remained one of the team’s most recognizable defensive players.
What Denzel Ward’s investment means
Ward’s Guardians investment highlights how athletes are increasingly looking beyond their salaries and endorsement deals. Team ownership can offer players another opportunity to build wealth while supporting organizations connected to their communities.
Furthermore, athlete ownership can strengthen the relationship between professional sports teams and their fan bases. Players who invest in local franchises can bring their personal connections and influence into the business side of sports.
For Cleveland, Ward’s investment also adds another prominent local sports figure to the Guardians ownership group. His career with the Browns has already made him a familiar face to football fans across Northeast Ohio.
Now, his connection to Cleveland extends into Major League Baseball.
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Source: AfroTech
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