Grammy-winning rapper Macklemore and retired Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch have become minority owners of the Seattle Kraken.
“Seattle is my home and as amazing as it is to have a professional hockey team in the city, I’m just as excited that myself and Marshawn are becoming part of the ownership group,” Macklemore said in a video posted on the Kraken’s Twitter account Monday. “It took a while to get here and we’re in the building.”
Macklemore and Lynch join the Kraken Investor Group led by David Bonderman, founder and majority owner, and Samantha Holloway, chairperson of the Kraken’s executive committee. In their new roles with the first-year NHL expansion team, Macklemore and Lynch are expected to lead Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena initiatives to connect with hockey fans, music lovers and community members.
“We are fortunate to have an incredibly strong investor group, which has guided the franchise over the last four years,” Holloway said. “We are now adding two hometown heroes who share our values and desires, to give back to this great city and continue to make hockey a sport for everyone.”
Macklemore, whose given name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, is a Seattle native who cofounded The Residency, a hip hop and youth development program creating prominent opportunities for aspiring young artists in the region and a long-time supporter of the community and arts. He will work with the Kraken and arena to produce music events to serve the community.
“With the Kraken, we were ushering a new era of sports into our city,” Macklemore said. “Even though this is our inaugural season, the energy in Climate Pledge (Arena) is amazing. It’s history and it’s just starting.”
Lynch played seven of his 12 NFL seasons for the Seahawks and helped them win their first championship in 2014 when they defeated the Denver Broncos 43-8 at Super Bowl XLVIII. In retirement, Lynch remains connected to Seattle and his hometown of Oakland, California, helping underprivileged youth with his Fam 1st Family Foundation.
“On God, I’ve been a part of a lot of things, but this is something I never would have imagined,” Lynch said. “As a young hyena, I always dreamed of playing on a professional team but owning one is something special. As I look back on some of my accomplishments — I retired before I was 30 and now being an owner of a professional club at the age of 35 — I’m [going to] continue to count my blessings. Being a part of the Seattle Kraken is something big for me.
“It gives me another chance to get a ring after helping bring the first NFL one to the city. And if you thought I was goin’ somewhere, nah Seattle, I’m here! Stand up!!!!”
Lynch also was a guest announcer at the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, when the Kraken announced their first 30 players. As a minority investor, he plans to be active in Seattle’s “Hockey is For Everyone” campaign and work with the team to plan events focused on young people and community activism.
“I have so much love and appreciation for Seattle, like for real,” Lynch said. “The thing is, I know Seattle looks out for and supports me too. It’s only right I continue to plant seeds and give back to the city. The Kraken have been committed to connecting with diverse communities in Seattle since Day One. Joining up with the squad to have some meaningful impact was a no-brainer.”
In the video announcing that Macklemore and Lynch had joined the Kraken ownership group, Macklemore suited up in full hockey equipment, including a Kraken practice jersey, to work on his skating and shooting while Lynch took a turn driving the Zamboni at Kraken Community Iceplex.
“Both guys love our community and bring legacies of giving back,” Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke said. “We are thrilled to add them to our investor group. “They have each committed to unique programs using the team and arena as a means of making positive social change. Marshawn knows how to drive a Zamboni and Macklemore has a pretty good wrist shot. More to come!”
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