A little over a month ago on June 8th, Walmart heir Rob Walton and the Walton-Penner ownership group made history twice on the same day when they purchased the Denver Broncos.
First, Walton acquired the team for a world-record-setting price for a sports franchise of $4.6 billion.
Then he added Mellody Hobson to the ownership group, making her the first Black woman NFL team owner.
Hobson is the co-CEO of Ariel Investments, Chairwoman of Starbucks and JP Morgan Chase director. She’s also the former Chairwoman of Dreamworks Animation, which was sold to NBC Universal in 2016, and one of the most successful businesswomen around.
Today, Walton made headlines again when he announced that former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joined the ownership group.
“We’re pleased to welcome former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to our ownership group,” said Rob Walton in a statement. “A highly respected public servant, accomplished academic and corporate leader, Secretary Rice is well known as a passionate and knowledgeable football fan who has worked to make the sport stronger and better.”
Rice is no stranger to football.
She was a member of the inaugural College Football Playoff selection committee (2013 – 2016) and her father, John Wesley Rice, is a former high school football coach in Birmingham, AL.
Rice also has strong ties to the city of Denver.
She and her family moved to Denver when Rice was 12 and she attended both undergrad and graduate school at the University of Denver.
“It is an honor to be part of this ownership group,” said Rice. “Football has been an integral part of my life since the moment it was introduced to me, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Broncos organization today. I spent much of my younger years in Denver, so to be able to combine my love of the game with my love for this great city and team is an adventure of a lifetime and a great opportunity.”
Prior to Rice’s formal entry into sports, she was the national security advisor from 2001-2005 and secretary of state from 2005-2009 under president George W. Bush.
While it’s not clear what her exact role will be, her place in history as the second Black woman to own an NFL team is cemented.
And with her highly successful background, it’s obvious that she will be a major asset to both the group and the team.
“Her unique experience and extraordinary judgment will be a great benefit to our group and the Broncos organization,” said Walton.
The Walton-Penner group is currently waiting for the league, and then team owners, to approve the deal, which is expected to happen in the coming weeks.
