Earlier this month, a group led Walmart heir Rob Walton agreed to purchase the Denver Broncos for $4.65 billion (pending NFL approval).
Walton will become the team’s new controlling owner, but his son-law-in, Greg Penner, and Walton’s daughter, Carrie Penner, are expected to handle the team’s day-to-day ownership duties. The Walton-Penner group has also reached out to Peyton Manning about the former quarterback potentially joining the team as an adviser.
Another notable development on the team’s ownership front has seemingly flown under the radar — Ariel Investments co-CEO Mellody Hobson has already been announced a minority owner joining the Walton-Penner group.
Hobson’s on the chair of the board at Starbucks and a director of JPMorgan Chase, among other roles. Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson spoke with Hobson on June 13 and he came away impressed.
“What a tremendous accomplishment and what a gift to be able to do what she’s going to do,” Wilson said after a minicamp practice last week. “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.
“I think the growth within the NFL and what they are trying to do — the Waltons, too. To do that and honor that is pretty awesome. I think that relationship is really important, and we want to do everything we can to win. That dialogue is everything. That’s what helps win.”
Hobson is married to Star Wars creator George Lucas. They live in California with their daughter, Everest.
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