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Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Marshawn Lynch, Macklemore Become Minority Owners of Seattle Kraken

  • The duo will promote community activism through the organization.
  • Lynch’s expansion into the NHL complements his minority stakes in other pro sports teams.
Seattle Kraken

Beast Mode has returned to Seattle pro sports — but not football.

On Monday, former Seahawks star Marshawn Lynch joined rapper Macklemore as minority investors in the NHL’s Kraken.

Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but investments of this magnitude usually constitute 1% or less of a franchise.

In an interview, Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke said that although the franchise didn’t need new investors at this time, it decided to bring on Lynch and Macklemore for their “interest in community activism through this organization.”

This isn’t Lynch’s first foray into sports team ownership: In April 2021, he invested in his hometown Oakland Roots, who play in the USL Championship — the second division of American professional soccer. He also co-owns the Beasts of the Fan Controlled Football League.

The 35-year-old is also the NFLPA’s Chief Brand Officer, and owns an apparel brand, a cannabis company, and a venture fund. He holds equity stakes in the IFL and FCFL, and endorsement deals with BetMGM, Fanatics, and Skittles, among others.

Per Forbes, the Kraken are worth $875 million — the 13th-highest value in the NHL.

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