Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, known for his three Super Bowl championships, four All-Pro selections, and engagement to pop icon Taylor Swift, has taken on a new role as a minority owner of the Cleveland Guardians baseball franchise.
The baseball team made the announcement Wednesday prior to their matchup with the Washington Nationals, revealing that Kelce had acquired a small portion of David Blitzer’s 35% ownership stake. Blitzer has the option to become the controlling owner following the 2027 season or can delay exercising that right.
Speaking on the “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason Kelce, the NFL star explained his decision: “The opportunity came across my desk and I just couldn’t say no. 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 athletic background extends beyond football, having participated in football, basketball, and baseball during his time at Cleveland Heights High School. His baseball prowess was recognized when he was named Cleveland Plain Dealer baseball player of the week after achieving a .636 batting average (14 for 22) with two home runs and 12 RBIs during a May 2008 stretch in his senior season. He continued playing baseball on a collegiate summer team in 2010 while studying at the University of Cincinnati.
In a combined statement, Dolan and Blitzer praised the acquisition: “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 recording, Kelce sported a Guardians City Connect jersey while sharing memories of attending games during his youth. Both brothers revealed that Albert Belle and Jim Thome were their childhood baseball heroes.
“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 Swift were spotted in Cleveland recently, attending Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Cavaliers and New York Knicks last weekend.
As his inaugural act as a Guardians owner, Kelce is scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch on June 14 when the team faces the Detroit Tigers. This will be his second attempt at the honor, following a 2023 home opener against Seattle where his pitch bounced near home plate and rolled to the backstop.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt expressed mixed feelings about Kelce joining the organization, given his allegiance to the San Francisco 49ers.
“I’m still a little bit bitter because the Chiefs beat the Niners twice in the Super Bowl,” Vogt said before the series finale against the Nationals. “But outside of that, it’s pretty cool to have Kelce on board.”
This makes Kelce the second Chiefs player to hold ownership in a baseball franchise, joining teammate Patrick Mahomes, who owns a share of the Kansas City Royals. Mahomes congratulated Kelce by posting a video of his previous first pitch attempt on social media.
